Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Washington Pa., Man Charged with Stealing Firearms from Route 19 EZ-Cash Pawn Shop
PITTSBURGH – A resident of Washington, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The three-count indictment named Joseph Valentino Monroe, 27, of Shannon Ave., Washington, Pa., as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment presented to the Court, Monroe took eight firearms and approximately $1,230 in cash from Route 19 EZ-Cash LLC on Feb. 28, 2015. Route 19 EZ-Cash LLC is located at 110 Highland Avenue, Washington, Pa., 15301.
“Gun thieves, who rob ATF licensed firearms dealers, and then peddle stolen firearms onto our streets and into the hands of criminals will be aggressively pursued until they are placed in handcuffs. These gun traffickers, driven by greed, or to feed drug habits, set off the sequence of firearms-related violence in our neighborhoods”, said ATF Special Agent in Charge Sam Rabadi. “I commend the doggedness of the assigned ATF agents and investigators who swiftly identified and arrested the alleged gun burglar of the EZ Cash pawn shop. ATF works jointly with our State and local law enforcement partners to fight violent crime and make safer communities.”
The law provides for a minimum sentence of not less than seven years and a maximum of life in prison, a fine of $250,000, 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 of the defendant.
This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent, deter and prosecute gun crime. Assistant United States Attorney Conor Lamb is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) 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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