Feds charge county man with Illegal possession of gun and ammunition

From staff reports

A Clarion County resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a violation of the federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced March 13.

The one-count indictment, returned on March 6 and unsealed Tuesday, named Emmett Freshcorn, 29, Ashland Township, Clarion County, as the sole defendant.

State police at Clarion said last week troopers were looking for Freshcorn, but no explanation was provided. Earlier this week, state police announced Freshcorn had been taken into custody, but again, no details were provided.

According to the indictment, on Dec. 11, 2017, Freshcorn illegally possessed a firearm and ammunition. Freshcorn has previously been convicted of a felony, and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

For possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, the law provides for not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $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 Timothy Lanni is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, 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.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.

In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, 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.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Pennsylvania State Police 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.