Ernest Terry, Illegal Firearm Possession, Pennsylvania 2024

McKees Rocks, PA – Ernest Terry, 45, of Pittsburgh, is facing federal charges after a shooting incident and subsequent discovery of a stolen handgun tucked into his waistband. Terry, already a four-time convicted felon, was apprehended by Allegheny County Police Department (ACPD) detectives on March 14th, following the March 12th shooting in a McKees Rocks public housing complex.

According to court documents, ACPD identified Terry as the alleged shooter. Detectives located him near the Hays Manor apartment complex, where he briefly attempted to evade arrest. A search revealed a loaded .45 caliber Ruger pistol concealed in his pants. The firearm was later determined to be stolen. This isn’t Terry’s first rodeo with the law; he previously served a 15-year federal sentence for being an armed career criminal.

U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan didn’t mince words, stating that Terry, “a recidivist drug and firearm offender,” allegedly possessed another firearm despite his extensive criminal history and current supervised release status. The ATF is assisting in the investigation, alongside multiple local agencies, highlighting the coordinated effort to tackle gun violence in the region.

Terry’s prior record includes multiple felony drug convictions, compounding the severity of the current charges. As a convicted felon, he’s legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Prosecutors are now pursuing a designation of Terry as an armed career criminal *again*, which could dramatically increase his potential sentence if convicted.

If convicted on the current charge of illegal firearm possession, Terry faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, if re-classified as an armed career criminal, that sentence could extend to life in prison. The actual sentence will be determined based on the severity of the offense and Terry’s extensive criminal history, according to federal sentencing guidelines.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Douglas C. Maloney and Vincent Joseph Sonson are handling the prosecution. The investigation is a collaborative effort between the Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Housing Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, Stowe Township Police Department, Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It’s important to remember that a criminal complaint is an accusation, and Terry is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Related Federal Cases