Felon Charged With Illegally Possessing Gun, Ammunition
PITTSBURGH, Pa. ‑ A resident of Pittsburgh, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal firearm laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The one‑count indictment named Keith Washington, a/k/a Donald Hill, a,/k/a Fred Wilson, a/k/a Cornelius Washington, a/k/a Keith Denson, a/k/a Anton Williams, a/k/a David Williams, 47 as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment presented to the court, Washington possessed a 40 S&W caliber firearm and 40 S&W caliber Starline ammunition on July 25, 2010. Federal and State court records indicate that this is the same date Washington allegedly led police on a multi‑jurisdiction vehicle pursuit after shooting a victim in the city of Pittsburgh. Washington had been previously convicted at seven cases in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County of Burglary (twice), Theft by Unlawful Taking (twice), Receiving Stolen Property (twice), Criminal Conspiracy (twice), Robbery (twice), Terroristic Threats (twice), Delivery of Cocaine (once) and Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine (once). Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year from possessing ammunition or a firearm.
The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt is prosecuting this case.
This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent, deter and prosecute gun crime.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Churchill Police Department, the Forest Hills Police Department, the Wilkins Township Police Department, the East Pittsburgh Police Department and the Turtle Creek Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case with the assistance of the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner Forensic Laboratory Division.
An indictment or information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
