A federal grand jury returned a single-count indictment Thursday against Frank Gowans III, 26, of Suisun City, who has been accused of being a felon in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner said.

Gowans was identified as the man arrested by Vallejo police officers Oct. 12 after they saw him carrying an object, Wagner said, citing court reports. “The officers had observed Gowans walking with a black object in his hand,” he said. “When the officers approached, Gowans discarded the object.”

An officer went to the area where the man had tossed the item, Wagner said, and found a 9-mm handgun. Gowans was on parole at the time of arrest and is a convicted felon.

Wagner said the case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Vallejo Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Olusere Olowoyeye is prosecuting the case.

“If convicted, Gowans faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine,” Wagner said.

The sentence could be modified by the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, he said, which take into account a number of variables.

Wagner said the charges are only allegations because the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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