Pittsburgh Felon Charged with Illegally Possessing a Firearm
PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Vashon Dewight Cotton, 29, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about November 6, 2019, Cotton, a convicted felon, was found to be in possession of a firearm. Federal law prohibits a convicted felon from possessing a firearm.
The law provides for a sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher M. Cook is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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