Arthur Thompson, 40, of Philadelphia, was convicted on Mar. 31 of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon, according to an announcement from United States Attorney David Metcalf.
The conviction follows an incident in December 2022 when two Philadelphia police officers observed Thompson commit a traffic violation. After stopping his car, Thompson exited the vehicle, discarded a loaded firearm, and attempted to flee on foot before being apprehended by police.
Thompson had previously been convicted of an offense punishable by more than one year in prison, making it illegal for him to possess firearms or ammunition. He was federally indicted in January last year and later charged under a superseding indictment in December.
The investigation into the case involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Gun Violence Task Force; and the Philadelphia Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Eckert and Special Assistant United States Attorney Tracie J. Gaydos.
Thompson is scheduled for sentencing on July 8. He faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
