A McKeesport resident has been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition. The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti. United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand handed down the sentence to Richard L. Edwards Jr., aged 49.
Court records show that Edwards was on probation following a 2023 conviction, during which he received five years of county probation and 18 months of electronic home monitoring. While on approved grocery trips on May 25, 2024, and June 1, 2024, Edwards stopped at a local firearms store with his wife. On both occasions, his wife purchased a firearm.
Due to these unauthorized stops, Westmoreland County Adult Probation searched Edwards' residence on August 9, 2024. They found multiple firearms and ammunition in his bedroom and sought assistance from the McKeesport Police Department. Authorities seized four firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun, along with numerous rounds of ammunition from Edwards’ bedroom. His prior convictions for robbery and simple assault prohibit him from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski prosecuted the case for the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti praised Westmoreland County Adult Probation, the McKeesport Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their work in investigating and prosecuting Edwards successfully.
