Pittsburgh teen Marquis Trammel, 19, is staring down federal time after being caught with stolen rifles and ammo—despite being barred from owning a single round. Trammel, an Allegheny County resident, was indicted Jan. 17 on two counts: possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, and stealing guns from a licensed dealer. The heist went down Dec. 20, 2016, at Dunham’s Discount Sports in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, where Trammel allegedly walked off with five rifles and live rounds.
The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, lays bare the brazen nature of the crime. Trammel isn’t just another suspect—he’s a convicted felon, previously nailed for robbery, which automatically strips him of the right to own or handle any firearm under federal law. Yet, authorities say, he didn’t hesitate to breach a licensed dealer’s inventory, stealing high-powered weapons like he had a license to kill.
Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song confirmed the charges, underscoring the federal stakes. Each count carries up to 10 years behind bars, a fine of $250,000, or both. Given Trammel’s rap sheet, prosecutors won’t be asking for leniency. The Federal Sentencing Guidelines mean his past will weigh heavy when the judge hands down punishment—if he’s found guilty.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy L. Johnston is leading the prosecution, building a case that ties Trammel directly to the theft and illegal possession. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) teamed up with the West Mifflin Police Department to track the stolen guns and close the loop on the suspect. Surveillance, ballistic forensics, and witness statements reportedly sealed the case.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods, the federal crackdown initiative that targets gun crime through coordinated enforcement. It’s not just about one teen with stolen rifles—it’s about sending a message: felons who play with firearms will face federal fire in return. The program has prosecuted hundreds across Pennsylvania, but each case starts with a name, a crime, and a trail of evidence.
Don’t mistake an indictment for a conviction—Trammel is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. But the facts are stark: a convicted robber, five stolen rifles, and a federal warrant. The next move is his—inside a courtroom, not on the streets.
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- Wilkes-Barre Teen Guilty in Straw Gun Purchase · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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