PITTSBURGH, PA – Isaiah Wise, 23, of Pittsburgh, is headed to federal prison for 33 months after admitting to illegally possessing a firearm despite a lengthy rap sheet. U.S. District Judge W. Scott Hardy handed down the sentence Tuesday, adding three years of supervised release to Wise’s term once he’s released.
The case stems from December 4, 2021, when Wise, already on probation for separate felony convictions – including fentanyl trafficking, unlawful firearm possession, and endangering the welfare of children – actively participated in a scheme to acquire a Glock 27 .40 caliber pistol. The purchase also included a high-capacity drum magazine and ammunition, all items legally off-limits to someone with Wise’s criminal history.
Federal law is clear: convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms or ammunition. Wise’s decision to flout that law, while already under court supervision for other crimes, earned him the additional prison time. The ATF, along with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, conducted the investigation that brought Wise to justice.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted the case, building a solid argument that Wise knowingly violated federal regulations. The evidence presented to the court demonstrated a clear pattern of disregard for the law, escalating his criminal behavior despite prior convictions and ongoing probation.
U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan framed the sentencing as a win for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a collaborative initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The program brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement, alongside community organizations, to address the root causes of crime and improve neighborhood safety.
Olshan’s office emphasized that the prosecution of Wise is part of a broader Department of Justice strategy to strengthen PSN, focusing on building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention programs, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and meticulously tracking results. This case serves as a warning: those who illegally possess firearms in Western Pennsylvania will face federal prosecution and significant jail time.
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