McKees Rocks Man on State Parole Indicted for Illegal Possession of Firearm and Ammunition

DOJ Press

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal firearms law, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Taivon Cunningham, age 31, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on or about Aug. 18, 2022, Cunningham was found to be in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Cunningham was on state parole for third degree murder at the time. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.


Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.


The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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