October 10, 2014

Sharon Felon Gets 41-Month Federal Prison Sentence for Illegally Possessing Pistol

PITTSBURGH—A resident of Sharon, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 41 months for his conviction of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Terrence McVerry imposed the sentence on Ralph Samuels, 50, of George Street, Sharon, Pa., 16146.

According to information presented to the court, during the early morning hours of Oct. 3, 2012, Samuels engaged in a shootout with Daniel Odem, Jr., a resident of Farrell. This shootout, which occurred on the 500 block of Emerson Avenue in Farrell took place because of a fight that had occurred earlier that evening at Rockabilly’s Bar. Both Samuels, who, at that time, was a convicted felon and therefore illegally possessed the firearm he utilized in the shootout, and Odem, Jr., were injured in the shootout. Police later recovered Samuels’ DNA on the firearm he utilized, which was a .45 caliber Firestorm pistol.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge McVerry declined Samuels’ request for a downward variance and instead imposed a sentence within the Sentencing Guidelines. Judge McVerry noted the danger that Samuels’ actions posed to himself, Odem, Jr., and the general community.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Southwest Mercer County Regional Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Samuels.