Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

PITTSBURGH, PA – An Armstrong County resident pleaded guilty on Monday in federal court to charges of violating the federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Jared T. Wolfe, age 45, of Ford City, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing 22 firearms while being an unlawful user of heroin and Suboxone. Federal law prohibits unlawful users of controlled substances from possessing firearms. Wolfe also pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession, sale, or disposal of stolen firearms before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in and around April 2015, to in and around October 2015, Mr. Wolfe unlawfully possessed 22 firearms (eight rifles and 14 pistols) while he was addicted to and unlawfully using heroin and Suboxone, both of which are controlled substances. Mr. Wolfe admitted to the Court that on July 9, 2015, and on July 12, 2015, he possessed, sold, and disposed of one shotgun and three rifles, which he knew or had reasonable cause to know were stolen from a residence in Castle Shannon, Allegheny County.

Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for April 9, 2019 at 9 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $750,000, 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, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. 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. The Department of Justice has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), detectives from the Allegheny County Police Department, and officers from the Castle Shannon Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the plea in this case.

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