JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of DuBois, Pa. pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Vincent L. Ruchlewicz, 58, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, on Mar. 1, 2018, he was found in possession of numerous firearms. On Feb. 28, 2011, Ruchlewicz had been convicted in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which is a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Federal law prohibits persons who have been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing firearms.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for June 3, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a mandatory sentence of at least 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 and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Probation Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ruchlewicz.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
