DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Western District of Pennsylvania

For Immediate Release

Friday, November 2, 2018
Scott W. Brady
, United States Attorney

Duquesne Felon Charged with Illegally Possessing Loaded Pistol and Ammunition

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating the federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The one-count indictment, returned on Nov. 1, named Dontez Peoples, age 27, formerly of Duquesne, Pa.

According to the indictment, on or about May 2, 2018, Peoples possessed a loaded 9mm caliber Glock pistol and ammunition. It is unlawful for Peoples, who has previously been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year, to possess a firearm or ammunition.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of ten years 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 offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Vasquez Schmitt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Munhall Police Department, and the Allegheny County Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. 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.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Philadelphia Field Division