A Norcross, Georgia resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, according to First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Michael Allen Barnes, 42, entered his plea before United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV. The charge stems from an incident on April 11, 2024, when law enforcement officers arrested Barnes in downtown Pittsburgh on an outstanding warrant from Georgia. Officers recovered a loaded pistol with approximately nine rounds of ammunition from Barnes’ waistband at the time of his arrest. Barnes had previously been convicted of burglary in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Federal law prohibits individuals with felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Judge Stickman set sentencing for March 30, 2026. Barnes faces a maximum possible sentence of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence will be determined based on the seriousness of the offense and Barnes’ prior criminal history under federal guidelines.
Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher is prosecuting the case. The investigation was conducted by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the United States Marshals Service.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that coordinates efforts among law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice strengthened its PSN strategy in May 2021 by focusing on building trust within communities, supporting organizations that work to prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.
