PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Paul Anthony Parrish, 43, pleaded guilty to one count before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that the investigation into Parrish’s illegal possession of a firearm began on March 12, 2017 when a three-year-old child was brought to Allegheny General Hospital, by private means, with a gunshot wound to her chest. The child died from the gunshot wound soon after. Pittsburgh Bureau of Police officers and detectives ultimately determined that Parrish’s residence on Mount Washington was the likely crime scene. In the residence, they found Parrish watching TV on the living room couch, and he directed officers to the second floor, where they observed blood stains and recovered a Ruger, model SR9 pistol. The investigation revealed that the victim had likely found the firearm and accidentally shot herself, and that Parrish had had possession and control of that firearm for three months leading up to the child’s death. At the time, Parrish had received four separate prior convictions for felony offenses that prohibited him from possessing a firearm: voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and fleeing and attempting to elude police.

Chief Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for February 13, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Court ordered the defendant detained pending the Court’s decision on filings by the parties.

Assistant United States Attorneys Douglas C. Maloney and Ross E. Lenhardt are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Parrish.

PITTSBURGH, PA- A former resident of Allegheny County has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating firearm laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The one-count indictment, returned on August 1, named Paul Anthony Parrish, aka Paul Anthony Carmona, aka Paul Carmona Parrish, aka "Pills", age 41, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, in late 2016 to March 12, 2017, Parrish possessed a 9 mm caliber semi-automatic Ruger pistol and 9 mm ammunition. Parrish has previously been convicted of a felony and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to life imprisonment, 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 of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt of the Major Crimes and Violent Crimes sections is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case, with valuable assistance from the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, the Allegheny County Police Department and the United States Marshals Service and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.