Washington, Pa., Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Unlawful Possession of Firearm (DOJ)

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Washington, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 120 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on his conviction of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines imposed the sentence on Derik Carothers, 29, on April 3, 2025.

According to information presented to the Court, on or about October 20, 2019, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Carothers possessed numerous firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon. Carothers was previously convicted on November 7, 2013, in the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas of burglary and carrying a firearm without a license, and, on March 20, 2017, of carrying a firearm without a license. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

On October 20, 2019, Carothers led the Pennsylvania State Police on a high-speed chase on State Route 28, resulting in a violent roll-over crash. Investigators recovered crack-cocaine, a digital scale, and $290 from Carothers' person. Additionally, four loaded firearms including a Colt Model Official Police .38 caliber revolver; Ruger Model AR-556 rifle; Glock Model 23, .40 caliber handgun; and a Glock Model 22, .40 caliber handgun, as well as extended magazines and a bulletproof vest, were recovered from in or near the vehicle. Two of the recovered firearms had been reported stolen, one of which had an obliterated serial number.

Assistant United States Attorneys Maureen Sheehan-Balchon and Arnold P. Bernard Jr. prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Pennsylvania State Police, and Johnstown Police Department for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Carothers.