Waynesburg man shot by police now facing federal charges

The Waynesburg man who was shot by borough police in May after allegedly pointing a gun at an officer is now facing federal drug possession and firearms charges.
Julius Maurice Hurt, 32, was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges involving the possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, acting U.S. Attorney Soo C. Song announced.
The charges stem from the May 3 incident that resulted in him being shot in the leg. Federal prosecutors allege Hurt possessed cocaine and heroin with the intent to sell. Hurt also reportedly had a firearm and ammunition during the crime. Two previous felony convictions previously prohibited Hurt from possessing weapons.
If convicted, Hurt could face five years to life in prison and a $2.5 million fine.
During the incident in May, police had received a report of a black man with a gun walking behind Greene County Courthouse in Waynesburg around 1 a.m. Witnesses told police said he was acting erratically and made threats to shoot law enforcement before his altercation with Waynesburg police Officer Charles Sochor.
Sochor testified during Hurt’s preliminary hearing in June he shot Hurt in the ankle after he pointed a gun at the officer’s chest. Police said Hurt had two loaded handguns that were reported stolen.
Hurt is being held in Greene County jail on $200,000 bond while awaiting trial on state charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, receiving stolen property, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and two counts each of carrying a firearm without a license and illegal possession of a firearm.
He had a pretrial conference on the state charges with Greene County Judge Louis Dayich at 2 p.m. Friday.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerome Moschetta is prosecuting the case. The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, state police, Waynesburg police and the Greene County district attorney’s office assisted with the federal investigation.