A Jamaican man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on charges of violating various federal firearm laws.
United States Attorney Scott W. Brady made the announcement on Tuesday.
The three-count indictment named 34 year old Kevin Ruddock as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment presented to the court, the Jamaican knowingly gave false information on an application to purchase a handgun, in violation of federal law.
Federal law prohibits anyone who is illegally in the US or admitted to the country under a non-immigrant visa, from possessing a firearm.
The indictment alleges that on March 13, 2017, the Jamaican falsely claimed he was a US citizen on the form submitted when he purchased the gun.
The indictment further alleges that on March 16 this year, Ruddock possessed the Ruger, along with 123 rounds of ammunition, and that the possession was illegal because he was admitted into the United States on a non-immigrant visa and he was in the US at the time of his possession unlawfully having overstayed his visa.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of US$750,000 or both.
The 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 neighbourhoods safer.
