A Butler, Pennsylvania resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to a firearms charge, according to First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Thomas James Clark, 33, entered his plea before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy. Clark admitted to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that law enforcement officers apprehended Clark on January 20, 2024, due to an outstanding arrest warrant related to aggravated assault charges. When confronted by police, Clark dropped his belongings, which included an AR-15 style rifle without a serial number, a revolver, and several rounds of ammunition. Clark had previously been convicted in Butler County for methamphetamine production and criminal conspiracy. Federal law bars individuals with felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Judge Hardy has scheduled sentencing for May 13, 2026. The maximum possible penalty is up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence will depend on the seriousness of the offense and Clark’s prior criminal history under federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly M. Locher and Katherine C. Jordan are prosecuting the case.
The investigation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Pennsylvania State Police (Butler Patrol and Fugitive Apprehension Unit); and Butler City Police Department.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that coordinates efforts among law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. In May 2021, the Department implemented a strategy aimed at strengthening PSN through trust-building with communities, supporting organizations focused on violence prevention, setting targeted enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
