Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Felon with 13 Prior Convictions Charged with Illegally Possessing Handgun
PITTSBURGH – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count indictment, returned on September 27, named Darnell James Shipman, age 28, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, during April and May of 2018, Shipman, a convicted felon, unlawfully possessed a 9 millimeter semi-automatic Carik pistol and 17 rounds of 9 millimeter ammunition. The indictment also alleges that the defendant has been convicted of 13 offenses in seven different cases between 2010 and 2018. Federal law prohibits an individual with any felony convictions from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $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 David Lew is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) 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 a 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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