Johnstown Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Shotgun, Shells
| U.S. Attorney’s Office November 30, 2011 |
JOHNSTOWN, PA—A resident of Johnstown, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Michael Dion Lockwood, 45, pleaded guilty to the indictment before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, on or about Sept. 13, 2010, Lockwood possessed a Stevens (Savage Arms) model 124, 12 gauge shotgun, a 12 gauge 00-Buck shell and a 12 gauge Winchester “Super X” Turkey shell. On Nov. 6, 2003, Lockwood was convicted in Cambria Co., Pa., of delivery of a controlled substance, which is a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Federal law prohibits persons who have been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing firearms and/or ammunition.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for April 5, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Johnstown Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Lockwood.
According to Mr. Hickton, Michael Dion Lockwood is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crime.