A man from Norcross, Georgia has pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, according to First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Michael Allen Barnes, 42, entered his plea before United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV. The indictment charged Barnes with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
According to information presented in court, law enforcement officers arrested Barnes on April 11, 2024, in downtown Pittsburgh based on an outstanding arrest warrant from Georgia. Officers recovered a loaded pistol with approximately nine rounds of ammunition from Barnes’ waistband at the time of his arrest. He had previously been convicted of burglary in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Federal law prohibits individuals with felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Judge Stickman set sentencing for March 30, 2026. The charge carries a maximum possible sentence of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence will be determined according to federal Sentencing Guidelines and will consider the seriousness of the offense and Barnes' prior criminal record.
Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher is prosecuting the case. The investigation was conducted by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the United States Marshals Service.
The prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together law enforcement agencies at all levels along with community groups to address violent crime and gun violence nationwide. In May 2021, the Department launched an updated strategy for PSN focused on building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting targeted enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
