Felon Stopped during Lawrence County Traffic Stop Admits Illegally Possessing Handgun

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A former resident of Sacramento, California, and Dayton, Ohio, has pleaded guilty in federal court in Pittsburgh to a violation of the federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Timothy Anderson, age 27, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on January 24, 2018, a Shenango Township Police Officer conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle that Anderson was driving in Lawrence County. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed that Anderson, a convicted felon, was in possession of a silver and black Ruger P93CD 9mm semi-automatic handgun, with an extended magazine. Federal law prohibits an individual with a felony conviction from possessing a firearm.

Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for December 13, 2018, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a total maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, Judge Ambrose ordered that Anderson remain detained.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Dayton, Ohio, Police Department, the Shenango Township Police Department, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General – Bureau of Narcotics, the New Castle Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Timothy Anderson.