A September 2026 federal indictment in Maryland provides a current example of how a felon-in-possession firearm case can arise from an arrest on an unrelated warrant. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced that Larry Arntay Thompson, Jr., 25, of Baltimore, was indicted for allegedly possessing a firearm and ammunition despite a prior felony conviction.
What does the DOJ release allege?
DOJ said law enforcement located and arrested Thompson on July 29, 2026, while executing an outstanding warrant connected to first-degree assault and firearm charges. Officers allegedly searched him and found a concealed loaded handgun, a large-capacity magazine and 13 rounds of live ammunition. The release also states that investigators determined the firearm had been reported stolen in 2024.
What is a federal felon-in-possession case?
Federal prohibited-person law can make it a crime for a person with a qualifying prior conviction to knowingly possess a firearm or ammunition. The government generally must prove the elements required by the charging statute, including the defendant’s prohibited status and knowing possession. Possession can be actual or constructive depending on the facts. A prior felony label by itself is not the entire analysis because federal law contains definitions and exceptions that can make the exact judgment and later record relief important.
What is the possible penalty?
The Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that the charge carries a maximum potential sentence of 15 years in federal prison. A statutory maximum is not a prediction of the sentence. If a defendant is convicted, the federal judge considers the advisory Sentencing Guidelines, criminal history, offense circumstances and the sentencing factors set out by Congress.
Why is procedural posture important?
News headlines often compress “charged,” “indicted,” “convicted” and “sentenced” into the same idea, but they are very different stages. An indictment is a formal accusation approved by a grand jury. It does not establish guilt. Court filings may later narrow, dismiss, amend or resolve charges through plea proceedings or trial.
Case-status note: The allegations summarized here come from the official DOJ announcement. The indictment and federal docket are the controlling records for what the government actually charged.