Commonwealth v. Kendrith Jones:  A Dauphin County jury found Kendrith Jones guilty of being a Person Unable to Possess a Firearm.  Jones was convicted of Possession with Intent to Deliver crack cocaine in 2007 and as a result, was unable to possess, use, or control a firearm.  On October 31, 2014, Jones was driving on N 17th Street, in Harrisburg City, with an inoperable tail light.  Corporal Thomas McGarrity, of the Harrisburg City Police Department, initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle.  Jones continued to drive for about a block before pulling over.  As Corporal McGarrity was approaching the vehicle, he saw Jones moving a lot and saw his left shoulder dip down as if Jones was placing something under his seat.  Jones was searched and there was nothing on his person.  However, under the driver’s seat were an empty holster and a 9mm handgun.  Initially, after the empty holster was found, Jones claimed there was not a handgun in the vehicle.  After the handgun was found in the vehicle, Jones claimed that it was his girlfriend’s handgun and he didn’t know it was there. 

The Commonwealth alleged that Jones’ ex-girlfriend, Amber Uber, acted as a straw purchaser for him and put on testimony showing that Jones arranged for Uber to purchase the firearm and was present for the transaction.  Amber Uber testified on behalf of Jones and claimed that she put the firearm in the holster in the vehicle.  Uber knew nothing about the firearm other than the caliber and color, didn’t have a license to carry the firearm, and admitted that she loved Jones. 

Deputy District Attorney Meghan McNaughton gave credit for the guilty verdict to the excellent work of Corporal Thomas McGarrity.  “Corporal McGarrity was able to apply his specialized knowledge and experience as a police officer in detecting what could have been a very dangerous situation.  Due to his work, another firearm was removed from the streets of Harrisburg.” 

Jones is scheduled in front of the Honorable Deborah E. Curcillo for sentencing on March 9, 2016, and is facing a minimum of five years in prison.