Skip to main content
Press Release

Dallas Man Illegally In The United States Charged With Unlawful Possession Of Firearms And Ammunition

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that David DaSilva, age 33, of Dallas, Pennsylvania, was indicted on September 14, 2021, by a federal grand jury for being an illegal alien in possession of firearms and ammunition.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that from July 2020 through September 1, 2021, in Pike County, DaSilva possessed two .22 caliber rifles and several rounds of ammunition while knowing he was illegally and unlawfully in the United States.

The case was investigated by the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendnt's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

# # #

Updated September 21, 2021

Topic
Project Safe Neighborhoods