Thomas Thornton, Firearms Violation, Pennsylvania 2024

McKeesport Felon Sentenced to 6+ Years for Violating Federal Firearms Law

A resident of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 76 months in prison for violating federal firearms law, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

According to court documents, 49-year-old Thomas Thornton discharged 10 rounds of ammunition from a stolen 9mm semi-automatic pistol into an occupied residence within the City of Pittsburgh on December 19, 2024. Officers with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police detained Thornton within minutes of the incident, and, following the execution of a search warrant on Thornton’s vehicle, recovered the 9mm pistol Thornton used in the shooting.

Thornton was on federal supervised release at the time of the offense, following a 37-month sentence in federal prison for a drug trafficking and firearms conviction. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand on June 18, 2026.

Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States. United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Thornton.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Thornton’s conviction and sentence serve as a reminder of the serious consequences of violating federal firearms law. The public is reminded that this case is part of an ongoing effort to combat violent crime and gun violence in our communities.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/mckeesport-felon-sentenced-more-six-years-prison-possession-and-use-firearm-while