JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Johnstown, Pa., entered a guilty plea in federal court in Johnstown to a charge of violating federal firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
Eric P. Williams, 35, of Johnstown, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, on December 8, 2015, Williams, who had been convicted in 2001 in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, of the felony offense of robbery, which is a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did possess in and affecting interstate commerce a Stevens, Model 350, 12 gauge shotgun, and a Mossberg, Model 715T,.22 LR caliber, semi-automatic rifle. Federal law prohibits persons who have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year from possessing ammunition or firearms.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Aug. 3, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 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 John J. Valkovci, Jr., is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Williams.
According to Ms. Song, Williams is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crime.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
