The Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Jason Pennington, 44, of Carbondale has been arrested and charged with 15 felony counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one felony count of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and related drug offenses.

Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher said Pennington’s arrest stems from law enforcement’s increased focus on the illegal possession of firearms by convicted felons and the straw-purchasing of firearms.

“The fact that this defendant, who is a convicted felon, had access to this type of firepower should serve as a wakeup call for all of us,” Gallagher said. “Some of these firearms were straw-purchased at gun dealerships and that will not be tolerated. Our office will aggressively investigate and prosecute anyone who purchases firearms on behalf of a convicted felon.”

The District Attorney’s Office is working collaboratively with local law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute those who are in possession of firearms unlawfully and those who lawfully purchase firearms but put them in the hands of convicted felons, which is known as straw-purchasing.

The Pennington case was investigated by the Carbondale Police Department. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of 172 years in prison, a $325,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following imprisonment. Following a finding of guilt, a sentence is imposed by the presiding judge after consideration of applicable statutes and the Pennsylvania Sentencing Guidelines.

Criminal charges are only allegations. Anyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty by a court of law.