More Indianapolis results as state and federal prosecutor’s offices crack down on violent gun-related crime
INDIANAPOLIS - Joseph H. Hogsett, the United States Attorney, announced today that Raymond Barnes, 32, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 37 months (over three years) in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson. Barnes admitted to illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Barnes’ conviction is the result of a joint prosecution effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.
“Three years ago, this Office pledged to federally prosecute more illegally-armed felons than ever before," said Hogsett. “Today’s sentence supports that pledge to take off our streets the most violent criminals who terrorize our neighborhoods."
Court documents state, on July 13, 2013, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Officers responded to a call of gunshots being fired in the 3800 block of North Boulevard Place on the City’s Northside. When officers arrived, they found Barnes walking away from the scene and detained him. While searching Barnes, officers located a loaded cartridge magazine in his pants pocket and placed him under arrest. Shortly after arresting him, Barnes escaped and fought with officers, injuring one and sending the officer to the hospital.
Additional responding officers located spent shell casings and four live rounds in the area of the shooting. A short time later, officers obtained a search warrant for Barnes’ vehicle which was parked nearby. In the vehicle, officers found a Keltee, SUB 2000,.40 caliber rifle with a jammed round in the chamber. The magazine found in Barnes’ pocket fit the rifle.
Announced in March of 2011, the Violent Crime Initiative represents a district-wide strategy to work with local law enforcement and county prosecutors to combat drug traffickers and criminals that use and carry firearms in their illegal activities. The VCI has produced a dramatic increase in the number of gun-related charges brought federally. In the year preceding the initiative, there were just 14 defendants charged with federal gun crimes by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. In the nearly three years since, more than 225 defendants have been charged.
“Credit should go where it is due. Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry saw the need to improve the cooperation between his office and the United States Attorney’s Office. As part of his vision, Prosecutor Curry has since cross-designated several of his best prosecutors to screen gun cases and make thoughtful decisions about whether to prosecute repeat violent offenders in state court or in federal court. In this sense, Prosecutor Curry has always been ‘out front’ in the challenge of ridding Indianapolis of the high level of gun violence it has experienced," Hogsett explained.
According to Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Thomas Lupke, who is prosecuting the case for the government, Barnes faces three years of supervised release after his sentence. Lupke currently serves as a SAUSA for Hogsett’s office and splits his time as a deputy prosecutor with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office where he specializes in gun-related cases.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
