PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating the federal firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
The one-count indictment, returned on Oct. 31, 2017, named James Taric Byrd, age 40, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
According to the indictment, on or about Feb. 23, 2015, Byrd, an individual with prior felony convictions for Aggravated Robbery, with Firearm Specification; Robbery, with Firearm Specification; Kidnapping, with Firearm Specification; and Aggravated Burglary, with Firearm Specification; Aggravated Assault; Firearms not to be Carried without a License; and Recklessly Endangering Another Person (two counts), did knowingly and unlawfully possess a.40 caliber Sig Sauer handgun and ammunition. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
For Byrd’s offense, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. 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.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
