YORK MAN SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM

Thomas A. Marino, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that Charles Bennett, age 30, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Christopher C. Conner imprisonment for the illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and distribution and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Judge Conner sentenced Bennett to a 63-month term of imprisonment, and three_years of supervised release following his guilty plea conviction on these federal drug and gun charges.

According to U.S. Attorney Marino, in the Fall of 2003, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were reviewing firearms sales at The Gun Gallery in York, Pennsylvania and through their investigation found Bennett to be in possession of a firearm that someone else had purchased for him so he could settle a drug debt. One year later, in the Fall of 2004, Bennett was apprehended by police in York after selling cocain base to an undercover police officer. These two incidents formed the basis of the charges which led to the conviction of Bennett.

Bennett has prior felony convictions which prohibit him from possessing a firearm and/or ammunition under Federal law. United States Attorney Marino noted that under the United States Sentencing Guidelines currently in effect, parole has been abolished, and Bennett will be required to serve at least 85% of this sentence, assuming he receives full time off for good behavior while in prison.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and York Police and prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Martin C. Carlson.

U.S. Attorney Marino thanked the individuals and agencies involved for their dedication to the Gun Gallery case.

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