Rogelin M. Lopez, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Johnstown PA, 2023

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Rogelin M. Lopez, 26, of Johnstown, is trading the streets for a federal cell after receiving a 92-month sentence for being a convicted felon illegally packing heat. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson, and includes three years of supervised release after Lopez serves his time.

The case, announced today by United States Attorney David J. Hickton, stems from a December 24, 2009 incident where Lopez was found to be in unlawful possession of a Smith & Wesson pistol. It wasn’t just having a gun that landed Lopez in trouble; it was the fact he was already a convicted criminal.

Court records reveal Lopez previously pleaded guilty in Cambria County, Pa., in 2006 to delivery of a controlled substance. That conviction alone disqualified him from legally owning any firearms or ammunition under federal law. Federal statutes clearly state anyone convicted of a crime carrying a potential sentence exceeding one year is barred from possessing weapons.

Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr. relentlessly prosecuted the case, piecing together the evidence that ultimately led to Lopez’s conviction and lengthy prison term. The feds weren’t messing around. This wasn’t a simple possession charge; it was a direct violation of laws designed to keep guns out of the hands of those who’ve already proven they’re a danger to the community.

Hickton was quick to praise the collaborative effort of the Johnstown Police Department and the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Their joint investigation provided the foundation for a successful prosecution. This case was also highlighted as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods,” a nationwide initiative aimed at aggressively targeting and prosecuting gun-related crimes.

Lopez’s case serves as a stark reminder that past crimes don’t just disappear. They carry consequences, and in Lopez’s case, those consequences include nearly eight years behind bars. This conviction should send a message to other felons in Johnstown – and beyond – that possessing a firearm will be met with the full force of the law.