WILLIAMSPORT — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle), published as received.

WILLIAMSPORT -  The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Williamsport man was indicted today by a federal grand jury for the prohibited possession of a firearm.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the grand jury alleges that Robert Cormier, age 32, possessed a semiautomatic handgun near 500 Fifth Avenue in Williamsport in February 2015.  Police were called to the area based on reports of a shooting.  Later police determined that Cormier was prohibited under Federal law from possessing a firearm based on his alleged criminal history. Cormier faces a single count of Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Williamsport Bureau of Police, and the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey MacArthur.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law is from 10 years up to life imprisonment, a term of 3 years supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 dollar fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

 

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