Pittsburgh Man Facing Decades in Prison Only Gets 76 Months in Federal Case

In a federal case, attorney Samir Sarna recently defended a client who was facing charges for possession of a firearm. While the man was on bail for a state-level offense, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) obtained a search warrant and raided the home of the client and his wife. During this search, the agencies discovered large amounts of drugs and guns. This was particularly bad for the client, as he had a prior conviction for drug delivery. Knowing he needed an experienced attorney with a deep understanding of the federal and state criminal processes, he retained attorney Sarna.

Upon finding the drugs and guns, the government filed an 851 notice, which indicates they were planning to seek higher penalties because of the man’s prior conviction for similar conduct. Because of the client’s criminal record, and the 851 filing, he was looking at a lengthy prison sentence. In addition to all of this, there was also a possibility that the client’s wife could be charged, since there was evidence that she was involved.

Through swift negotiation and aggressive defense, attorney Sarna got the government to agree to forego charging the wife or not seize their house. They also returned nearly $10,000 and three firearms to the wife, which were seized in the raid.

The client ultimately received a sentence of 76 months rather than the decades he was facing. This encompassed a five-year mandatory sentence for the firearm, and a mandatory 16 months for the drugs. In regard to the state charges, attorney Sarna was able to get his client time served. This was a good outcome for the client, as it prevented the seizure of his home, and his wife did not get charged.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.