Eric P. Williams, Illegal Firearms Possession, Pennsylvania 2017

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A shocking example of the dangers of repeat offenders, Eric P. Williams, a 35-year-old felon from Johnstown, Pa., has pleaded guilty to violating federal firearms laws in federal court in Johnstown.

Williams, who had previously been convicted of robbery in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, in 2001, was found to be in possession of a Stevens, Model 350, 12 gauge shotgun, and a Mossberg, Model 715T, .22 LR caliber, semi-automatic rifle on December 8, 2015.

Federal law prohibits individuals with a felony conviction from possessing ammunition or firearms, a fact that Williams would soon learn was not worth ignoring. Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., is prosecuting the case.

The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to Williams’ prosecution, and Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced the guilty plea today.

Williams is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crime.

According to court documents, Judge Kim R. Gibson scheduled sentencing for August 3, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., with a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both.

The case serves as a stark reminder that those with a history of crime will be held accountable for their actions, and that federal authorities will not hesitate to take action in cases where individuals attempt to skirt the law.

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