Erie Felon Pleads Guilty
United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, October 17, 2008, that Rauje Tehran Badelle, a resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal firearms laws.
Badelle, age 21, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Maurice B. Cohill, Jr.
In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini advised the court that on April 2, 2008, the Erie Police Department responded to the 500 block of East 24th Street, following a report of shots fired. On their arrival, officers observed a fight between several black males in the front yard of 520 East 24th Street. As they cleared the area, officers heard five additional shots fired. Officers observed Badelle running from the area and stopped him. A stolen, black Ruger 9 mm handgun was recovered from the area behind 531 East 24th Street, where officers had observed Badelle running. Five shell casings, matching the firearm, were also recovered from East 24th Street. A fingerprint on the firearm matched Badelle. Badelle had previously suffered felony convictions prohibiting him from possessing firearms.
According to Ms. Buchanan, this case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crime.
Judge Cohill scheduled sentencing for January 21, 2009 at 9:00 a.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 criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Erie Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Badelle.
Badelle, age 21, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Maurice B. Cohill, Jr.
In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini advised the court that on April 2, 2008, the Erie Police Department responded to the 500 block of East 24th Street, following a report of shots fired. On their arrival, officers observed a fight between several black males in the front yard of 520 East 24th Street. As they cleared the area, officers heard five additional shots fired. Officers observed Badelle running from the area and stopped him. A stolen, black Ruger 9 mm handgun was recovered from the area behind 531 East 24th Street, where officers had observed Badelle running. Five shell casings, matching the firearm, were also recovered from East 24th Street. A fingerprint on the firearm matched Badelle. Badelle had previously suffered felony convictions prohibiting him from possessing firearms.
According to Ms. Buchanan, this case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crime.
Judge Cohill scheduled sentencing for January 21, 2009 at 9:00 a.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 criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Erie Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Badelle.
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