An-Tso Sun, Ammunition Possession, Pennsylvania 2018

PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that An-Tso Sun, an 18-year-old Taiwanese national, has been charged federally for allegedly threatening an attack on a high school in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.

Sun was charged yesterday by federal complaint with possessing ammunition while being in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa, a felony under federal law.

Sun, who came to the United States to live with an American host family and study at a high school in Upper Darby, allegedly told another student, "Hey, don’t come to school on May 1st. . . I’m going to come here armed and shoot up the school. Just kidding."

"When someone makes an alleged threat of this kind, law enforcement must take it seriously and investigate all leads," U.S. Attorney McSwain said. "Law enforcement is committed to doing everything in our power to stop an attack before it happens. We must keep our children and our community safe from harm."

Student 1 reported the incident to school officials, who then alerted law enforcement. School officials and the Upper Darby Police called Sun’s host family to inform them of the alleged threat.

Upper Darby Police officers executed a search warrant at Sun’s residence and seized from Sun’s bedroom: 20 rounds of 9mm Blazer Brass ammunition; one ballistic suit, including a vest, jacket and pants; one cross bow; seven arrows; and various firearm accessories and shooting equipment.

Sun has been in custody in Delaware County since his arrest by Upper Darby police in March. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of ten years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release.

"Thanks to the tremendous work of our local, state, and federal partners, a potential school tragedy was prevented," said Special Agent in Charge Marlon V. Miller, Homeland Security Investigations Philadelphia Field Office. "Homeland Security Investigations will continue to support all of our law enforcement partners to ensure the safety and security of our communities."

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Upper Darby Police Department and the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah M. Wolfe.

An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/federal-charges-filed-against-taiwanese-teenager-who-allegedly