Jury Finds Felon Illegally Possessed Gun

PITTSBURGH—On January 30, 2014, after deliberating for three hours, a federal jury of six men and six women found Curtis Delay Brown guilty of one count of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Brown, 42, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was tried before United States District Judge Terrence F. McVerry in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Michael Comber, who prosecuted the case, the evidence presented at trial established that on or about July 7, 2012, Brown, being a convicted felon, illegally possessed a Taurus, Model 85 Ultra Lite, .38 Special caliber revolver. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year to possess a firearm.

Judge McVerry scheduled sentencing for May 6, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court revoked the defendant’s bond pending sentencing.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Curtis Delay Brown.