PITTSBURGH, PA- A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a violation of federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Melvin Russaw, 38, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about June 6, 2017, Russaw was apprehended by law enforcement on state charges, after attempting to flee in his 2008 Gray Chevy Impala. Upon execution of a search warrant for the vehicle, which was registered to Russaw, investigators discovered a small panel wherein a Glock, model 21,.45 caliber pistol, bearing serial number HVH758, was hidden. Russaw, who has multiple prior felony state convictions, as well as a federal conviction, is prohibited from lawfully possessing a firearm.
Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for June 23, 2020 at 10:00 AM. Due to Russaw’s prior convictions, the law provides for an enhanced sentence of not less than fifteen (15) years and not more than life 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. The defendant remains incarcerated pending the sentencing hearing.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Russaw. This case was brought under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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
