ATF Offers Reward in Gun Shop Burglary

24 Firearms Stolen from Angler Bait and Tackle

HUDSON, Ind. – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Steuben County Sheriff's Department, announced a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the theft of firearms from The Angler Bait and Tackle, 7430 South State Road 327, Hudson, Ind., yesterday.

ATF and the Steuben County Sheriff's Department are investigating the theft of 24 firearms. Investigators have developed information regarding this burglary. However, additional information provided from the public may assist in solving the case.

"Through experience, we know that stolen firearms are used in furtherance of drug- and gang-related activities and are utilized by violent criminals to perpetrate additional crimes," said Robin Shoemaker, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Columbus Field Division.

Steuben County Sheriff Tim R. Troyer added, "Law enforcement is seeking assistance from the public in locating these weapons and identifying those responsible."

Anyone with information is asked to call the ATF crime gun hotline 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867) or the Steuben County Sheriff's Department at (260) 668-1000. The ATF hotline is toll free and callers may remain anonymous.

ATF is the lead federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in violent crimes involving firearms and regulates the firearms industry. More information on ATF and its programs is available at atf.gov.

INDIANAPOLIS MAN SENTENCED TO 6 YEARS IN PRISON FOR GUN, IDENTITY THEFT CRIMES

INDIANAPOLIS – Joseph H. Hogsett, the United States Attorney, announced today that William "Ricky" Harris, age 34, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 72 months (6 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker. This follows his plea of guilty to charges of possessing firearms as a convicted felon and access device fraud.

"I know I sound like a broken record, but this Office simply has no tolerance for convicted felons who illegally arm themselves," Hogsett said. "We are doing all we can to help reduce violent crime, and we are committed to keeping guns out of the hands of violent, repeat offenders in this Indianapolis."

In pleading guilty, Harris admitted that on December 13, 2011, he was found by law enforcement to be in possession of a dozen different firearms. In 2003, Harris was convicted of a felony in Marion County, and therefore is not legally entitled to possess firearms. Guns confiscated from Harris included:

•Beretta .32 caliber pistol

•Marlin .22 caliber rifle

•Winchester 16 gauge shotgun

•High Standard 12 gauge shotgun

•Winchester 12 gauge shotgun

•Kel-Tec .223 caliber pistol

•Henry .22 caliber rifle

•Harrington & Richardson .410 shotgun

•Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol

•Browning 12 gauge shotgun

•Ruger .357 caliber revolver

In addition, Harris pleaded guilty to charges that he possessed 15 or more counterfeit access devices, such as credit cards, debit cards, and fraudulent account numbers. The information filed earlier this year specifically describes a number of counterfeit gift cards that had been re-encoded with fraudulent account information. During the course of the investigation, Harris also admitted that he had been a drug dealer in Indianapolis for many years, selling both marijuana and heroin.

These indictments come as part of the U.S. Attorney's Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), and are the result of collaborative investigative efforts by the ATF, the United States Secret Service, and local law enforcement.

Launched in March 2011, the VCI has produced a dramatic increase in the number of gun-related charges brought federally – from just 14 charges in 2010 to more than 110 last year. Already in 2012, 61 felon in possession of a firearm charges have been filed as part of the Violent Crime Initiative, putting the office on pace to meet or exceed last year's total.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers, who prosecuted the case for the government, Harris was also sentenced to 3 years of supervised release to be served upon his release. Federal sentencing rules require that, at a minimum, Harris will serve 85% of his sentence in prison.

EVANSVILLE-AREA MAN CHARGED WITH ILLEGALLY POSSESSING A FIREARM AS A CONVICTED FELON

INDIANAPOLIS – Joseph H. Hogsett, United States Attorney, announced today that Anthony R. Elliott, 43, of Evansville, has been charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm as part of the U.S. Attorney's Violent Crime Initiative.

"I know I sound like a broken record, but this Office simply has no tolerance for convicted felons who illegally arm themselves," Hogsett said. "We are doing all we can to help reduce violent crime, and we are committed to keeping guns out of the hands of violent, repeat offenders in Evansville."

The indictment alleges that Anthony Elliott was in possession of a .380 caliber semiautomatic pistol, after having been convicted of at least four felonies. According to the charging document, Elliott has previously been convicted of two violent felonies in the Evansville area, including battery and burglary.

This indictment comes as part of the U.S. Attorney's Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), and is the result of collaborative investigative efforts by the ATF, and local law enforcement.

Launched in March 2011, the VCI has produced a dramatic increase in the number of gun-related charges brought federally – from just 14 charges in 2010 to more than 110 last year. Already in 2012, 61 felon in possession of a firearm charges have been filed as part of the Violent Crime Initiative, putting the office on pace to meet or exceed last year's total.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren M. Wheatley, who is prosecuting the case for the government, Elliott faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. An initial hearing will be scheduled in Evansville, Indiana before a U.S. Magistrate Judge information.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Hogsett Announces Mt. Vernon Man Sentenced for Aiding in Robbery of Pharmacy

More Posey County Results in U.S. Attorney’s Ongoing Violent Crime Initiative

INDIANAPOLIS—Joseph H. Hogsett, the United States Attorney, announced today that Cody J. Hargrove, age 27, of Mt. Vernon, has been sentenced to 51 months (four years, three months) in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young, following his guilty plea to robbery.

“I’m pleased to announce today yet another success from our Violent Crime Initiative here in Posey County,” said Hogsett. “Working together with our law enforcement partners, we’re targeting violent, repeat offenders, taking these ‘worst-of-the-worst’ off the streets of Southwestern Indiana.”

On December 2, 2011, Hargrove aided Anthony J. Carriola in taking prescription pain medications from employees of the Mt. Vernon Pharmacy located at 100 Lawrence Drive, using and threatening both force and violence. Hargrove pled guilty to the offense immediately before he was sentenced.

As a part of his guilty plea, Hargrove admitted that he assisted in the commission of the robbery by driving Carriola away from the Mt. Vernon Pharmacy after the robbery. Hargrove received prescription pain medication stolen from the pharmacy during the robbery as payment for his participation.

Carriola was charged with robbery on April 19, 2012. Carriola’s case was transferred to the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Wisconsin where he was being held on other robbery charges. Carriola has been sentenced there to 12 years for his role in the Mt. Vernon robbery and a second robbery he committed in the Western District of Wisconsin.

This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and comes as part of the U.S. Attorney’s Violent Crime Initiative. Launched in March 2011, the VCI has produced a dramatic increase in the number of gun-related charges brought federally—from just 14 charges in 2010 to more than 110 last year. Already in 2012, 60 felon in possession of a firearm charges have been filed as part of the Violent Crime Initiative, putting the office on pace to meet or exceed last year’s total.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted the case for the government, Judge Young also imposed three years’ supervised release following Hargrove’s release from prison. During the period of supervised release, Hargrove must submit to testing for illegal drugs and participate in a drug abuse prevention program.

Public’s Assistance Sought in Locating Four Federal Fugitives

 

Robert A. Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the Indianapolis Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is requesting the public’s assistance in locating four federal fugitives wanted for narcotics-related violations.

The individuals wanted are described as follows:

■Jermaine Coleman: black male, 35 years old, 6’0” tall, 195 lbs.

■Audra Echman: white female, 23 years old, 5’6” tall, 120 lbs.

■John Smith: white male, 39 years old, 5’9” tall, 195 lbs.

■Kyle Whitlow: white male, 30 years old, 5’9” tall, 185 lbs.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of these individuals is requested to contact the FBI Safe Streets Task Force at 317-595-4000.

Contact: Special Agent Wendy A. Osborne, 317-845-7705.