A resident of Wilkinsburg has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The one-count indictment, returned on April 10, named Khalifah Ali Al-Akili, a/k/a James Marvin Thomas, 34 years of age, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, on or about July 4, 2010, Khalifah Ali Al-Akili, a convicted felon, illegally possessed a .22 rifle. Additionally, on October 25, 2000, Khalifah Ali Al-Akili pled guilty to two counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with the intent to manufacture or deliver of narcotics in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year to possess a firearm.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to life in prison and a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation 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.
