Washington man pleads guilty to illegal possession of stolen firearm
A Washington man pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to illegally possessing a firearm.
James Roosevelt Leach, 47, faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the offense.
Leach pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
During a traffic stop on December 14, 2016, state police in Washington found and seized a loaded, stolen 9mm semi-automatic Ruger pistol under the driver’s seat, along with a box of 9mm-caliber ammunition.
Leach was the only person in the vehicle. Leach admitted to police that he bought the pistol on the street.
Leach previously has been convicted of crimes including rape, robbery and aggravated assault, and is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
Sentencing is scheduled at 10 a.m. March 12, 2019.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to attempt to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for residents.
Pennsylvania State Police, along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation that led to the plea.