Facing a federal hammer, Philadelphia’s Elanda Bell, 55, stands accused of illegally possessing ammunition. The grim details emerged as the United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced the charges.
According to the grim indictment filed on July 30, Bell is charged with unlawful possession of ten .41 Caliber cartridges between Jan. 3, 2008, and June 29, 2013. This isn’t Bell’s first brush with the law; he has previously been convicted of manslaughter and aggravated assault in Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas.
But it’s not just a matter of repeat offenses for Bell. Federal law spells out that anyone with a criminal history punishable by more than one year is barred from possessing firearms or ammunition. The charges against Bell are serious, with a potential sentence ranging up to 10 years in the slammer, a fine of $250,000, or both.
Assistant United States Attorney Shardul S. Desai is leading the charge against Bell. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort aimed at preventing and prosecute gun crime across federal, state, and local boundaries.
The investigation that led to Bell’s indictment was a joint effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Clairton Police Department. It’s another grim reminder of the ongoing battle against illegal firearms in our communities.
As with all criminal charges, an indictment is merely an accusation. Bell is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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