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

HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Harrisburg man was indicted by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Hassan Ward, age 32, allegedly possessed a loaded 9 mm handgun after having been convicted of at least three previous violent felonies or serious drug offenses.  Ward was initially arrested by Harrisburg Police on April 1, 2016.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Harrisburg Bureau of Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom.

This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a districtwide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes.

Indictments 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 life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine.  This offense carries a mandatory term of imprisonment of 15 years.   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.

# # #