JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Montez Ricardo Holland, 51, of Johnstown is facing serious federal charges after being indicted by a Pittsburgh grand jury on May 23, 2013, for illegally possessing a firearm. The case, announced today by U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton, highlights the ongoing crackdown on individuals prohibited from owning weapons due to prior criminal history.
According to the indictment, Holland was found to be in possession of a Sturm, Ruger & Company, Model P95DC, 9 mm semi-automatic pistol on January 4, 2013. What makes this possession illegal? A look back reveals Holland was already a convicted felon. Back on April 27, 1998, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Holland was convicted of a drug trafficking crime – a conviction carrying a potential sentence exceeding one year in prison.
Federal law is clear: anyone convicted of a crime punishable by more than a year in the slammer is prohibited from owning firearms or ammunition. Holland allegedly ignored that law, and now faces the consequences. The potential penalty? A maximum of 10 years behind bars, a hefty $250,000 fine, or a combination of both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is spearheading the prosecution, building the case against Holland. The investigation was a joint effort between the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cambria County Drug Task Force, showcasing a unified front against gun crime in the region.
This isn’t just an isolated case. Hickton emphasized that Holland is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a broad initiative designed to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun-related offenses through collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies. It’s a full-court press to get guns out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them.
It’s crucial to remember: an indictment is simply an accusation. Montez Ricardo Holland is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But the evidence presented to the grand jury suggests a clear violation of federal firearms laws, and the Grimy Times will be following this case closely as it moves forward.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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