PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand  jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon,  United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. 

The one-count Indictment named Tyland Witherspoon, 27, as the sole defendant. Witherspoon was arrested on August 30, 2024, related to this federal charge.  

According to the Indictment, on or about June 19, 2024, Witherspoon, who was previously  convicted of a felony, was found to be in possession of a Glock 23 40 caliber pistol along with  Smith & Wesson 40 caliber ammunition. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or  ammunition by a convicted felon.  

The law provides for a total sentence of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $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 Nicole A. Stockey is prosecuting this case on behalf of the  government. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police  conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all  levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun  violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department  launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles:  fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that  help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement  priorities, and measuring the results. 

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.