Arthur Thompson, 40, of Philadelphia, was convicted on Apr. 10 of possession of a firearm by a felon, according to an announcement from United States Attorney David Metcalf.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address gun violence and illegal firearm possession in Philadelphia. Thompson’s conviction marks his second trial and gun-related conviction within less than two weeks.
Court filings show that on October 18, 2023, investigators with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General’s Gun Violence Task Force conducted an operation to locate Thompson due to an active arrest warrant. Surveillance teams observed him and a woman believed to be his girlfriend in a parked car on North Percy Street before the vehicle left the area. After dropping off the female passenger elsewhere, officers coordinated with Philadelphia Police Department Highway Patrol units who stopped the vehicle and arrested Thompson after confirming his identity.
A search warrant executed on the car led investigators to recover a loaded 9mm handgun. As someone previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison, Thompson was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Thompson had already been found guilty by a federal jury on March 31 for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon in another case. He is scheduled for sentencing for both convictions on July 8 and faces up to fifteen years in prison for each charge.
According to Metcalf’s office, this case involved cooperation between multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Gun Violence Task Force; and Philadelphia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Eckert and Special Assistant United States Attorney Samantha A. Arena are prosecuting.
