PITTSBURGH - A resident of Bellevue, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to three counts of violating federal firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
Patrick Snyder, age 33, pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of firearms by a prohibited person before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer. Snyder was previously convicted of a felony offense and is prohibited from possessing firearms.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from December 2016 to January 2017, Snyder illegally possessed three firearms when he stole them from the lawful owner and sold them to third parties.
Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for Nov. 1, 2017. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense.
This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent, deter and prosecute gun crime. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Bellevue Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
