An-Tso Sun, Ammunition Possession, Pennsylvania 2018

A Taiwanese exchange student pleaded guilty to being an alien in possession of ammunition, a federal charge that carries a maximum possible sentence of ten years’ imprisonment.

An-Tso Sun, 18, also known as “Edward Sun,” made the statement to a fellow student: “Hey, don’t come to school on May 1st. . . I’m going to come here armed and shoot up the school. Just kidding.”

That student reported the incident to school officials, who then alerted law enforcement officials. Upper Darby Police officers executed a search warrant at Sun’s residence and seized the following from Sun’s bedroom: 20 rounds of 9mm Blazer Brass ammunition; a ballistic suit, including a vest, jacket and pants; a crossbow; seven arrows; and various firearm accessories and shooting equipment.

Sun was arrested by Upper Darby police and charged locally with making terroristic threats. He pled guilty to that charge in early June and was sentenced to 4-23 months’ incarceration, with immediate parole, and credit for time served. He was released to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and charged federally by complaint on June 5, 2018.

Under federal law, as a student present in the United States on an F-1 visa (a nonimmigrant visa) without a hunting license, Sun was not permitted to possess any ammunition or firearms. Sun faces a maximum possible sentence of ten years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release.

As part of his guilty plea, Sun has agreed that upon completing his prison sentence, he is subject to immediate and permanent removal from the United States.

U.S. Attorney McSwain said, “Federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities will continue to work together to prevent tragedy and combat terrorism and threats of violence.”

Special Agent in Charge Marlon V. Miller, Homeland Security Investigations Philadelphia Field Office, added, “Sadly, threats of school violence have become all too common in this country.”

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