Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
McKees Rocks Woman Admits Buying 2 Guns for a Known Felon
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Talaya Thompkins, 36, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from on or about August 27, 2016, and continuing thereafter to on or about August 7, 2017, Talaya Thompkins unlawfully aided and abetted Vincent Eggleton’s possession of firearms. Thompkins purchased the two firearms in August 2016 and February 2017 and made them available to Eggleton. Thompkins was aware that Eggleton had a prior felony conviction, which prohibits Eggleton from possessing any firearm.
On March 1, 2018, Eggleton pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, as well as conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and a related drug-trafficking charge. On August 1, 2018, Eggleton was sentenced to a total of 121 months’ imprisonment on those charges.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing of Thompkins for February 13, 2019. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The court continued Talaya Thompkins on bond pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Adam N. Hallowell is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as a federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. The task force is headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is comprised of members drawn from the Borough of Baldwin Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, Munhall Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police.
This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent, deter and prosecute gun crime.
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