Johnstown’s Sean Zachary Horton, 29, Cuffed for Illegal Firearm Possession

Johnstown resident Sean Zachary Horton, 29, is back in the crosshairs of federal law enforcement, indicted on a single count of illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition despite being a convicted felon. The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, marks the latest chapter in Horton’s run-ins with the justice system.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Horton was found in possession of both a loaded firearm and additional ammunition—actions strictly prohibited under federal law due to his prior felony convictions. The charge carries a maximum sentence of ten years behind bars, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. The actual sentence, if Horton is convicted, will be shaped by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, weighing the severity of the offense and his criminal past.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Chad R. Parks is leading the prosecution, underscoring the federal government’s push to keep weapons out of the hands of violent offenders. This case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police, whose work uncovered the illegal possession during a targeted probe into repeat offenders in the region.

The case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s flagship initiative to dismantle violent crime networks and deter recidivism. PSN relies on coordinated enforcement, local partnerships, and data-driven strategies to target those most likely to commit gun violence.

Horton’s indictment is a textbook PSN outcome—focusing resources on individuals with a history of violent crime who continue to threaten public safety. The program has seen measurable success across Pennsylvania, particularly in shrinking the supply of illegal firearms in high-risk areas.

An indictment is not a conviction. Sean Zachary Horton is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The federal case will proceed in the Western District of Pennsylvania, where prosecutors will aim to hold him accountable for breaking one of the most serious federal firearms statutes on the books.