A Pittsburgh resident has been sentenced to 45 months in federal prison for firearm possession and attempting to prevent the seizure of firearms, followed by three years of supervised release. Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced the sentencing.
United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan delivered the sentence to Javon Pope, aged 36.
Court documents reveal that on November 19, 2019, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents found Pope at a Wilkinsburg residence where another individual had been arrested. Officers had observed several firearms in plain view. During a search, agents found a digital scale, marijuana, and a cell phone on Pope. A search warrant execution at the residence led to the discovery of four firearms relocated from their original positions.
Further investigation into Pope's cell phone showed an internet search for "how long does it take to get a search warrant" on the morning of November 19. The device also contained an image of Pope with some firearms discovered in the home. As a convicted felon, Pope is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The phone also revealed calls between Pope and a resident starting when the Pittsburgh S.W.A.T. Team arrived at the scene. These calls indicated that Pope was informed about federal agents intending to conduct a search—a violation of federal law aimed at preventing seizure actions pursuant to a federal search warrant.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case for the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti praised both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pittsburgh S.W.A.T. Team for their roles in investigating and prosecuting this case successfully.
This prosecution forms part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation, which targets high-level drug traffickers and criminal organizations using coordinated efforts across various law enforcement agencies.
