(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced yesterday that a resident of Butler, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to violating a federal firearms law. Thirty-three-year-old Thomas James Clark pleaded guilty to a one-count Indictment charging him with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The Court was advised that in connection with the guilty plea, on January 20th, 2024, law enforcement apprehended Clark on an outstanding arrest warrant relating to aggravated assault charges. Upon his encounter with law enforcement, Clark dropped the belongings that were in his possession, which included dozens of rounds with ammunition, a revolver, and an AR 15-style rifle with no serial number. Clark was previously convicted in the Court of Common Pleas of Butler County of criminal conspiracy and methamphetamine production. Federal law prohibits a convicted felon possessing ammunition or a firearm. The sentencing for Clark is scheduled for May 13th, 2026 and he could face a maximum total sentence of up to 15 years in jail, an up to a $250,000 fine, or both, provided by the law.