PITTSBURGH - An Allegheny County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Dontez Peoples, 27, Duquesne, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about May 2, 2018, Peoples possessed a loaded 9mm caliber Glock pistol and ammunition. It is unlawful for Peoples, who has previously been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year, to possess a firearm or ammunition.
Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for July 25, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Munhall Police Department, and the Allegheny County Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Peoples.. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys