Wilkes-Barre Man Indicted For Illegal Firearm Possession

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Joseph Angelo Valderrama, age 38, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for one count of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that on March 22, 2026, Valderrama possessed an AR-15 style pistol and rounds of ammunition in Luzerne County knowing he had previously been convicted of a felony offense that prohibited him from possessing a firearm.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Luisa Honora Berti is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 15 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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