Richard Watson, Possessing Unlicensed Firearms, Pennsylvania 2024

A Pittsburgh-area tattoo shop owner has landed behind bars for his role in a firearms trafficking scheme. Richard Watson, 33, of McKeesport, PA, was sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $10,000 fine on his conviction of possessing unlicensed firearms.

In a federal court hearing, United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Watson, who owned and operated Omerta Ink in McKeesport. According to evidence presented in court, Watson was found to be in possession of unregistered firearm silencers at his business.

But that was only the tip of the iceberg. Prosecutors revealed that Watson had engaged in the covert and unlawful manufacture and sale of firearms, including two home-milled, AR-style pistols. These ‘ghost-guns’ were effectively untraceable, making them a serious threat to public safety.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey R. Bengel on behalf of the government. Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman commended the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their investigation into Watson’s activities.

Watson’s tattoo shop, Omerta Ink, has been the subject of scrutiny in the past. However, it was Watson’s illicit firearms activities that ultimately led to his downfall. Authorities say that Watson’s actions put innocent lives at risk and undermine the rule of law.

In a statement, Acting United States Attorney Kaufman praised the efforts of the ATF in bringing Watson to justice. ‘We will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle firearms trafficking operations and hold those responsible accountable for their actions,’ Kaufman said.

The case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of engaging in firearms trafficking. Richard Watson’s sentence should send a clear message to those who would seek to exploit loopholes in the law to further their own interests.

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