Indianapolis -United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today the indictment of three Indianapolis men on firearms charges. All three are felons who are not legally permitted to carry a firearm.
Those indicted include:
James Lewis, 35
Adrian Bullock, 25
Jose Eduardo Mercado, 33
“The vast majority of individuals committing violent crimes with firearms in Indianapolis are individuals who are legally prohibited from possessing firearms. Our office is committed to investigating felons who illegally possess firearms and, if the evidence supports it, indicting those felons. This is a proven method of reducing violent crime," stated Minkler.
Lewis was arrested by members of the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force who were serving arrest warrants at his residence on the Eastside of Indianapolis on April 13, 2015. Lewis allegedly had a 9mm handgun in his waistband and has prior felonies for robbery, burglary, kidnapping and a parole violation for dealing in narcotics.
Bullock was arrested by IMPD officers on April 18, 2014, as he was driving near his residence in the 1700 block of North Oxford Street. Bullock allegedly ran from a vehicle he was driving and violently fought with officers as they attempted to handcuff him. Inside the vehicle, officers found two rifles and a handgun. A warrant was obtained and officers located two stolen handguns, a shotgun and 17 pounds of marijuana inside his residence. Bullock’s criminal history includes a felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance.
Jose Eduardo Mercado, 33, was arrested by law enforcement after his Northwest side residence was searched and a.40 caliber handgun and over 50 grams of methamphetamine were allegedly found. Mercado is an alien unlawfully in the United States.
“The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has a duty to ensure the safety of those living in our neighborhoods," said IMPD Chief Rick Hite. “Keeping firearms out of the hands of those who cannot legally possess them remains a top priority of IMPD. We appreciate the hard work of the men and woman of IMPD keeping our neighborhoods safe, and the assistance of our federal partners with their assistance to pursue these cases for prosecution."
The United States Attorney’s Violent Crime Initiative began in 2011, and is intended to focus on the “worst of the worst" violent offenders by marshaling federal resources to provide local partners the additional tools they may need to succeed in their effort to promote peace.
An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in federal court.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
