A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has indicted Robert Prater, a 33-year-old resident of Swissvale, Pennsylvania, on charges of violating federal firearms law. Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti made the announcement regarding the one-count indictment.
The indictment alleges that Prater, who is a convicted felon, possessed a firearm on or about January 27, 2025. Federal law prohibits felons from possessing firearms or ammunition.
If convicted, Prater faces a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence would depend on the seriousness of the offense and Prater's prior criminal history according to federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Ball is handling the prosecution for this case. The investigation leading to the indictment was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at targeting high-level drug traffickers and other criminal organizations through a coordinated effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
It should be noted that an indictment is merely an accusation and does not imply guilt. A defendant remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.