A Lancaster man convicted of illegally possessing a firearm was sentenced to 5-10 years in prison on December 14.

Richard Scott Lessig, 51 of Manor Street, was on state parole due to prior convictions of rape and aggravated assault when he possessed a firearm in November of 2020 in Lancaster City.

Lessig was to be on state parole until 2033 for the previous convictions and was unable to legally possess a firearm.

Assistant District Attorney Chris Miller prosecuted the case and presented evidence that a parole search on November 23, 2020, yielded a 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun in a backpack that belonged to Lessig. Live ammunition, a hunting license, hunting scent products, a pair of men’s underwear, men’s socks concealing the ammunition, two gun holsters, gun cleaning products and two hunting knives were also discovered in the backpack.

Lessig repeated to sentencing Judge Donald Totaro that the firearm and other contents in the bag belonged to his girlfriend when given a chance to speak during the sentencing. Miller responded by saying the jury heard the same false story and had soundly rejected it.

Lancaster City Bureau of Police officer Shane Douglas-Snyder filed charges.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.