PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.Rafael Gary, 31, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand.In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that On December 9, 2022, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police officers were patrolling the East Hills section of Pittsburgh when officers noticed Gary’s vehicle parked. When Gary drove away, officers observed a traffic violation and pulled Gary over. Eventually, the officer developed evidence that Gary concealed illegal material inside the vehicle and got a search warrant for Gary’s vehicle.The search warrant revealed a handgun, evidence of marijuana trafficking and a cellular telephone. Agents from, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives obtained a search warrant for the cellular telephone, which revealed that Gary had purchased the handgun through the female associate who was the registered owner.
Gary has multiple felony convictions that preclude him from the lawful possession of firearms, including previous federal convictions for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number.Judge Wiegand scheduled sentencing for October 22, 2026. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 15 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.Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Gary.