PHILADELPHIA, PA — Arthur Thompson, 40, of Philadelphia, was convicted Friday of possession of a firearm by a felon following a federal jury trial, United States Attorney David Metcalf said.
The conviction stems from an October 18, 2023, operation in which investigators with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General’s Gun Violence Task Force located Thompson on the 3000 block of North Percy Street while he was the subject of an active arrest warrant.
Investigators conducted surveillance of a parked vehicle believed to contain Thompson and a female companion before the car left the area. After the passenger was dropped off, authorities tracked the vehicle and relayed its location to Philadelphia Police, who conducted a traffic stop.
Officers removed the driver, identified him as Thompson, and arrested him on the outstanding warrant.
A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a loaded 9mm handgun. Because Thompson had a prior conviction punishable by more than one year in prison, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The case marks Thompson’s second federal gun conviction in less than two weeks. On March 31, a separate jury found him guilty of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon in another case.
Thompson is scheduled to be sentenced on both convictions on July 8 and faces up to 15 years in prison on each count.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Gun Violence Task Force, and the Philadelphia Police Department. Prosecutors include Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Eckert and Special Assistant United States Attorney Samantha A. Arena.
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