DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

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

For Immediate Release

Thursday, October 24, 2019
Scott W. Brady
, United States Attorney

McClellandtown, PA Man Charged with Possessing IEDs

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

The one-count Indictment, returned on October 15 and unsealed yesterday, named Nathanael Varney, age 24, of McClellandtown, PA, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on or about August 15, 2019, Varney possessed an unregistered firearm, specifically four improvised explosive devices.

The law provides for a maximum sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000.00, 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 Brian M. Czarnecki is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Pennsylvania State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 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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Philadelphia Field Division