Maurice Woods, 33, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, is staring down a federal prison sentence after being indicted on two serious firearms charges stemming from a June 2016 incident. The Middle District of Pennsylvania U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed the indictment, which alleges Woods possessed a Glock 45mm semi-automatic pistol with its serial number deliberately scratched off—a classic move of criminals seeking to erase a weapon’s trail.
The charges don’t stop there. Woods is also accused of illegal possession of the same firearm despite having a prior felony conviction—a violation of federal law that carries steep penalties. Convicted felons are banned from owning or handling guns, and when they do, they enter the crosshairs of federal prosecutors determined to curb repeat violent offenders.
The case was built through a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Kingston Police Department. The collaboration highlights the reach of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (VCRP), a sweeping initiative led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office targeting individuals who use firearms in violent crimes. The VCRP merges federal, state, and local law enforcement to track, arrest, and prosecute gun offenders with maximum pressure.
Assistant United States Attorney Evan Gotlob is handling the prosecution, pushing forward on charges that could land Woods behind bars for the rest of his life. While Woods has not yet been convicted, the indictment signals federal authorities are treating this case with the highest priority. Federal gun charges, especially those tied to obliterated serial numbers and prior felonies, are aggressively pursued and rarely result in lenient outcomes.
If convicted, Woods faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison and could be sentenced to life. He also risks a $500,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release if ever paroled. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the judge will weigh the severity of the offense, Woods’ criminal history, and the need to protect the public before imposing a final sentence.
As with all federal cases, Woods is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The indictment marks the beginning of a legal battle that could end with decades behind bars. The next court date will determine whether the government can prove beyond a doubt that Woods was in unlawful possession of a weapon designed to disappear into the underground.
Related Federal Cases
- Montez Ricardo Holland Sentenced on Federal Firearm Charges · Pennsylvania
- Harrisburg Man Cuffed in Federal Firearm Bust · Pennsylvania
- Alexis McDonald Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession · West Virginia
- Pittsburgh Felon Andre Charles Hall, 20, Indicted on Firearm Charge · Pennsylvania
- Reading Man Rodney Cossari Cuffed for Illegal Firearm Hoard · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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