YouTube Video Catches Convicted Felon

Richard S. Hartunian, United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, announced that Gilbert Akin Murphy, age 45, of Cape Vincent, New York, entered a guilty plea Wednesday, August 1, 2012, in U.S. District Court in Syracuse, New York, to a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), admitting that he knowingly possessed five firearms after having been convicted of a felony. The offense carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ incarceration, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of three years, and a special assessment of $100. Sentencing is currently scheduled for December 14, 2012.

In early 2012, law enforcement officers became aware of a YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B5miYWGZqY) entitled “The Real Gillie,” where Murphy is seen discharging several firearms. On March 13, 2012, a search warrant was executed on Murphy’s residence and numerous weapons were seized, including the weapons he was seen firing in the YouTube video.

Under federal law convicted felons are prohibited from possessing firearms. In 1994, Murphy was convicted in California for the felony crime of discharging a firearm in a grossly negligent manner. In 1996, Murphy was again convicted of felony Burglary charges in Pennsylvania.

This case was investigated by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. This prosecution was handled in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg West and Tamara B. Thomson. Further information can be directed to the United States Attorney’s Office at (315) 448-0672.