PITTSBURGH, PA — A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of government property, announced Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Lashawn Norwood, 57, of the City’s Middle Hill neighborhood, pleaded guilty Wednesday to the theft of government property before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on Sept. 28, 2021, an unmarked 2021 Ford Explorer owned by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and containing firearms assigned to a special agent, was stolen as it was parked near the Schenley Park Oval. The vehicle was recovered a short time later in the Hill District section of the City of Pittsburgh, where it was discovered that one of the special agent’s service weapons had been stolen from the vehicle. The recovered Ford Explorer was forensically processed by the FBI. Analysis of processed DNA evidence recovered from the Ford Explorer revealed that Norwood’s DNA was detected on both the driver’s side exterior door handle and the steering wheel. During an interview with the FBI, Norwood denied stealing the vehicle and denied ever being inside of the vehicle.
The stolen FBI service weapon was ultimately recovered by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police on Nov. 12, 2021, after it was discovered in a post office box by a mail carrier in the Allegheny West section of the City of Pittsburgh.
Chief Judge Hornak has not yet scheduled a sentencing date. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 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,
Norwood remains detained pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Ball is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
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