Wilkes-Barre Man Convicted in Federal Firearm Possession Case

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A Luzerne County resident has been found guilty of multiple federal firearm offenses following a three-day jury trial. James Raymond Alberto, 36, of Wilkes-Barre, was convicted in Scranton on May 7, 2025, for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for possessing a stolen firearm. The charges stemmed from a 2021 incident where law enforcement discovered a loaded, stolen weapon in his vehicle during a traffic encounter.

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The arrest occurred on August 12, 2021, when officers found Alberto unconscious in the driver’s seat of a running car at a stop sign, his foot still on the brake and a line of vehicles stalled behind him. Upon searching the vehicle, authorities located the stolen firearm in the glove compartment. Alberto, already a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that included forensic analyses and testimonies from law enforcement and expert witnesses. These experts covered disciplines such as forensic chemistry, DNA analysis, and criminal drug investigations, providing detailed insights that supported the government’s case.

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The conviction follows a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Wilkes-Barre Township Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah R. Lloyd and James M. Buchanan. It falls under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which focuses on reducing violent crime and gun-related offenses through coordinated community and law enforcement efforts.

Alberto now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, along with supervised release and potential fines. Sentencing will be determined by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert D. Mariani, in accordance with federal guidelines.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania

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