Pittsburgh Abuser Plasan Nabbed in Oregon on Gun Rap

PITTSBURGH, PA – Joseph Plasan, 32, of Pittsburgh, is facing serious federal charges after being apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Service in Portland, Oregon. Plasan was indicted by a federal grand jury on a firearms violation, stemming from an incident that occurred just months ago.

The one-count indictment, filed July 8, 2020, and unsealed today, alleges that on or about May 5, 2020, Plasan knowingly possessed both a firearm and ammunition while under the constraints of a Pennsylvania Protection from Abuse (PFA) order. These orders are no joke – they explicitly prohibit “abuse, harassment, stalking, threatening, or attempts to use physical force” against protected parties, including intimate partners and children.

Federal law is clear: anyone subject to a PFA, or with a felony conviction carrying a potential sentence of over a year, is prohibited from legally owning a firearm or ammunition. This isn’t about Second Amendment rights; it’s about keeping guns out of the hands of individuals deemed a risk to others, especially those with a history of domestic violence. U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady, a member of Attorney General William Barr’s Domestic Violence Working Group, made it plain: “We are committed to protecting victims and survivors of domestic violence.”

Brady’s office hammered home the grim reality of domestic violence involving firearms. “Abusers with guns are five times more likely to kill their victims,” he stated, emphasizing that prosecuting these offenders is “one of our top priorities.” These are federal felony charges, and a conviction could land Plasan behind bars for a considerable period, with absolutely no chance of parole. The maximum penalty is 10 years in prison, alongside a hefty $250,000 fine.

Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Vasquez Schmitt, the office’s Domestic Violence Coordinator, is leading the prosecution. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), highlighting the coordinated effort to address this serious threat. Plasan remains in custody pending the outcome of the case.

It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is merely an accusation. Joseph Plasan is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, the charges are significant, and the potential consequences are severe, underlining the federal government’s commitment to tackling domestic violence and gun crime. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on its developments.