Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of North Versailles, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Brandon Mlinac, age 27, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, one count of possession of an unregistered firearm, and two separate counts of possession of a firearm by a drug user or addict on January 1-6, 2018, and December 9, 2017, before United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on January 6, 2018, the White Oak Police responded to a 911 call requesting assistance removing Mlinac from his then-girlfriend’s residence. The caller reported that Mlinac was high on crystal meth and informed law enforcement that Mlinac had a firearm stored under the mattress in the bedroom. When officers arrived at the residence, they recovered an unregistered New England Firearms 20 gauge sawed-off shotgun, with an obliterated serial number, and a Remington 20 gauge shell. They also observed drug paraphernalia. Officers were advised that Mlinac had possessed that firearm at the residence on or about January 1, 2018. Mlinac was prohibited from possessing a firearm at that time due to an outstanding protection from abuse order entered against him on December 12, 2017.

The court was further advised that on December 9, 2017, Mlinac was subject to a traffic stop and a Savage Arms 17 caliber rifle was found in the backseat of his car. A hospital blood test following the traffic stop was positive for methamphetamine.

Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for December 19, 2018, at 9:30 am. The law provides for a total sentence of 45 years in prison, a fine of $1,250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Mlinac remains detained pending sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Christy C. Wiegand is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the White Oak Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment of Mlinac. This case was brought as 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. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and

directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

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