A Mt. Oliver resident, Kyreese Thomas, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, with an additional three years of supervised release. The sentencing took place before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon on October 6, 2025, after Thomas pleaded guilty to the charge.
According to court information presented during the plea hearing, Thomas and another individual fired at a residence in Pittsburgh’s Homestead neighborhood on May 23, 2024. Thomas used a stolen Ruger pistol with its serial number removed and attempted to escape by car with his co-defendant. Law enforcement stopped their vehicle and found the weapon under the front passenger seat where Thomas was sitting. Tests revealed gunshot residue on his hand and matched the gun to shell casings recovered from the scene.
At the time of this incident, Thomas had two previous convictions for possessing firearms as a prohibited person in Allegheny County and was on parole for one of those offenses. He also had a prior conviction related to contraband possession while incarcerated.
Judge Bissoon allowed sentencing to proceed immediately following the guilty plea and commented on Thomas’s significant criminal record given his age.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara K. Doolittle.
First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti expressed appreciation for the investigative work done by federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as officers from Munhall Police Department, Homestead Police Department, and Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department. Rivetti stated: "I commend our law enforcement partners for their thorough investigation that led to this successful prosecution."
