HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced charges this week against a convicted felon who was found with multiple firearms and a substantial cache of ammunition at his home in northeast Philadelphia.
The investigation, led by the Attorney General’s Gun Violence Task Force, focused on Byron Ceasar following his purchases of firearms at the Oaks Gun Show earlier this month. Aided by the Philadelphia Police Department, agents served a search warrant at Ceasar’s Carver Street residence, where they seized eight firearms, including assault rifles, as well as ammunition.
Ceasar, 42, is now facing eight felony counts of persons not to possess firearms due to two previous felony convictions. He was arraigned on Saturday, with bail set at $1 million.
Attorney General Henry emphasized the significance of the operation, stating, “This collaborative investigation led us to a twice-convicted felon with various firearms and more than six thousand rounds of ammunition. Every gun that is possessed illegally is a potential threat to the community. This search operation and arrest is a testament to the value of agencies working together to take guns out of the wrong hands.”
Agents observed Ceasar, accompanied by his wife, purchasing the firearms and ammunition at the gun show before following them back to their home on the 900 block of Carver Street. They then saw Ceasar taking the items from a car into his house.
Among the firearms seized were a Springfield Hellcat 9mm pistol, a multi-caliber Bushmaster AR-15 assault rifle, a Mossberg International AR-style pistol, a Ruger 357 revolver (reported stolen), a Palmetto Armory multi-caliber AR-15 assault rifle, a Canik TP9 9mm pistol, a Glock 26 9 mm pistol, a Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm pistol, along with over 6000 rounds of ammunition.
The Philadelphia Gun Violence Task Force, part of the Office of Attorney General, works jointly with local, state, and federal agencies to track illegal transfers and possession of firearms, as well as incidents of violence resulting from these transactions. Last year, the Task Force seized over 500 firearms and participated in nearly 400 investigations in Philadelphia.
The Ceasar case is set to be prosecuted by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office (Gun Violence Task Force). As we continue to report this story, it is crucial to remember that these charges are allegations at this stage. Like all individuals facing criminal proceedings, Ceasar is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.
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