Harrisburg Man Charged With Unlawful Possession Of A Firearm

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Brian Acosta, age 21, a resident of Harrisburg, was indicted by a grand jury in Harrisburg and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. 

According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, on December 27, 2015, Harrisburg police officers allegedly observed Acosta walking in the 1500 block of Vernon Street at approximately 8:30 p.m., brandishing a firearm.  Acosta threw the gun away and fled.  He was apprehended and the firearm was recovered.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Harrisburg Bureau of Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith A. Taylor.

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 is 10 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 defendant'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.

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