PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Philadelphia man has been sentenced to the maximum penalty allowed under federal law after admitting to illegally possessing a loaded firearm while allegedly en route to commit a retaliatory killing.
United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that 40-year-old Jeffrey Hernandez was sentenced this week to 120 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone. Hernandez pleaded guilty in August to illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
According to court filings, Hernandez was found carrying a 9mm semiautomatic pistol loaded with 30 live rounds. Prosecutors said Hernandez acknowledged he knew he was prohibited from possessing any firearm due to his prior felony conviction.
Federal investigators said they recovered the weapon after receiving credible intelligence that Hernandez and three other men were traveling to carry out a retaliatory killing connected to a prior shooting. Prosecutors emphasized that Hernandez was charged solely with illegal firearm possession and not with any alleged plot.
The case was jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, and the Philadelphia Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Martin and Special Assistant United States Attorney Meagan Gordon.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.