Cambria County Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Firearms Violation
Prosecution is Part of Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative

JOHNSTOWN, PA—A resident of Johnstown, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court to 180 months in prison and three years’ supervised release on his conviction of violating federal firearms laws and distribution of cocaine base, commonly known as “crack,” United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Ariel L. Jeffers, 34.

According to information presented to the court, on Aug., 15, 2007, Jeffers distributed less than five grams of cocaine base, commonly known as “crack,” and he was found in possession of a Makarov Arsenal .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol. In 2001 Jeffers was convicted in Dauphin Co., Pa., of the crime of carrying a firearm without a license, 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. Carrying a firearm without a license is such a crime.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

According to U.S. Attorney Hickton, this case was prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement, agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crime.

Mr. Hickton commended the Johnstown Police Department and the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Jeffers.