Mitchell Thompson, Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm, Pennsylvania 2018

PITTSBURGH, PA – In a shocking turn of events, a resident of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, has found himself behind bars for a staggering three years and two months after being convicted of violating federal firearms laws.

Mitchell Thompson, 21, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak in federal court, marking a significant blow to the community.

According to information presented to the court, the events leading up to Thompson’s arrest unfolded on August 30, 2018, when law enforcement officials were conducting a saturation patrol detail in Wilkinsburg in response to a recent homicide and several shootings.

Upon seeing an unmarked police vehicle, Thompson threw a loaded Glock 9 millimeter pistol onto the sidewalk near a row of bushes, sparking an immediate response from authorities.

It was later determined that the firearm had been reported stolen, adding a layer of complexity to the case. Furthermore, the court was informed that Thompson had a previous conviction record, including one conviction for a firearms violation and one conviction for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance.

Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from lawfully possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Assistant United States Attorney Christy C. Wiegand prosecuted this case on behalf of the government, working tirelessly to bring Thompson to justice.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the Bureau and Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wilkinsburg Police Department, conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Thompson.

As part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, this case was brought forth as part of the Department’s violent crime reduction efforts.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime, working closely with a broad spectrum of stakeholders to identify and address the most pressing violent crime problems in the community.

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