Indianapolis - United States Attorney Josh Minkler and Trevor Velinor, ATF Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Columbus Field Division today announced the results of an anti-violence initiative called Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). The goal of PSN, working together with federal, state and local law enforcement is to reduce the number of criminal homicides and non-fatal shootings in the Evansville area.

Focusing our law enforcement resources on the most violent in our society will reduce crime, save lives and help make our neighborhoods safer,” said Minkler. “Those who choose to terrorize Southwestern Indiana with gun violence should know ahead of time, federal law enforcement is watching and will respond with federal resources.”

The United States Attorney Evansville Division team led by Deputy Chief Todd Shellenbarger has demonstrated steeled determination to target the area’s most violent and habitual gun-toting felons for federal prosecution. This renewed focus has yielded over 33 federal firearms cases in 2018, 22 of which were based in the Evansville PSN district. These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Evansville Police Department, the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Department, the Indiana State Police, and the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office.

In support of the PSN program, and to assist and strengthen the efforts of local enforcement to reduce violent crime in Evansville, the ATF sent a surge of resources to Evansville between July 24 and September 24, 2018. During this time period, five additional ATF agents and Task Force Officers were assigned to the Evansville ATF office. These additional agents and officers teamed up with Evansville police officers to aggressively pursue firearms cases in Evansville. The surge resulted in the arrest and prosecution of numerous suspects for federal and state charges.   

 

Federal defendants facing firearm and drug-related charges as a result of the surge include:

Charles C. Baughn, 35, Vincennes, Indiana

Gary Bentley Jr., 51, Evansville, Indiana

Joseph Byers Jr., 35, Boonville, Indiana

Jamal Christopher, 34, Norcross, GA

Kurtis A. Evans, 42, Vincennes, Indiana

Austin G. Greene, 19, Bedford, Indiana

Justin Helsley, 27, Newburgh, Indiana

Samuel King, 35, Evansville, Indiana

Terry W. Morris II, 19, Cloverdale, Indiana

Barry Scott, a/k/a Barron Scott, 58, Vincennes, Indiana

Marvin Robinson, 46, Jeffersonville, Indiana

William K. Thompson 31, Evansville, Indiana

 

“These arrests represent the culmination of countless hours of investigative work with our partners at the Evansville Police Department, the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, the Indiana State Police, the United States Attorney’s Office, and the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office,” stated Trevor Velinor, Special Agent in Charge for ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “We have forged and strengthened our cooperative efforts with the goal of removing violent individuals from the streets and returning our community to its rightful owners, those living, working, and raising families there. These arrests represent just the first step in that continuing work.”

“We take pride in having great relationships with other law enforcement agencies, including our Federal Partners. When we all work together, it makes our communities much safer. This latest effort only reinforces what can be accomplished when we all work together.”

In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the Office’s firm commitment to prosecuting those who engage in violent crime using firearms. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan 2.3.

Guns alleged to have been stolen from Cloverdale gun store

PRESS RELEASE

Indianapolis-United States Attorney Josh Minkler announced today that two men have been federally charged with possession of a stolen firearm. Terry W. Morris II, 18, Cloverdale, and Austin G. Greene, 19, Bedford, were arrested last week and remain in the custody of the United States Marshal’s Service.

“Possessing stolen firearms is a crime we take very seriously in this office,” said Minkler. “Those who choose to illegally sell firearms, introducing them to the underground market and  contributing to the violence in our communities should prepare to face federal prosecution.”

On July 31, 2018, ATF agents were contacted by the Cloverdale Police Department and informed of a burglary that occurred recently at Guy’s Gun Locker in Cloverdale, Indiana. Entry was made by breaking a hole through the south wall of the business and over 35 firearms were stolen.

Law enforcement quickly learned that Greene and Morris were in possession of some of the stolen firearms and made covert firearm purchases from both defendants. In each purchase, the guns are alleged to have been stolen in the Guy’s Gun Locker burglary.

This case is being investigated by ATF, and the Cloverdale Police Department.

“ATF’s core mission is reducing violent gun crime in our communities,” said Trevor Velinor, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “Those who traffic stolen firearms are enabling the spread of violence and are criminals just like those who obtain the firearms from them. We at ATF are committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to follow the gun and stem the destruction stolen firearms cause.”

“The citizens of Cloverdale and the Cloverdale Police Department are thankful for the outstanding support and teamwork provided by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Indiana State Police in the apprehension of these suspects in connection with the burglary at Guy’s Gun Locker,” said Cloverdale Town Marshal Steven L. Hibler. “These agencies continue working with us in an effort to recover all the firearms stolen and get these dangerous weapons out of the hands of people not ordinarily allowed to possess such weapons.”

A criminal complaint is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Pamela Domash. Each defendant faces up to ten years’ imprisonment if convicted. 

 In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the Office’s firm commitment to prosecuting those who illegally traffic firearms. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan 2.3

 

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