PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating the federal firearms and drug laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
The three-count superseding indictment, returned on Dec. 12, named James Taric Byrd, 41, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
According to the superseding indictment, on or about Feb. 23, 2015, Byrd, an individual with multiple prior felony convictions 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. Byrd also was charged with possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, heroin and marijuana, and carrying and possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to life in prison, a fine of not more than $1,500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses 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 superseding 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.
A superseding 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
