A Louisville man has been sentenced to over seven years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm and a machine gun. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department.

"I commend the work of ATF and LMPD in this case," stated U.S. Attorney Bennett. "The combined partnership of federal and state law enforcement in the Louisville Metro area continues to pay dividends as we continue to remove the most violent individuals from the streets and send them to federal prison."

According to court documents, Aaron Kidwell, 34, received a sentence of seven years and two months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was charged with illegally possessing a Glock Model 17 9-millimeter pistol, ammunition, and a Glock Switch device, which converts a semi-automatic handgun into an automatic weapon under federal law. On February 19, 2024, Kidwell led detectives on a chase while driving a large Kubota tractor through residential areas armed with the loaded Glock Model 17 pistol equipped with a Glock Switch.

Kidwell's previous felony convictions prohibited him from possessing firearms. His past offenses include criminal trespass in December 2009, dealing in marijuana in February 2014, strangulation in February 2018, and identity deception in September 2018—all occurring in Indiana courts.

There is no parole option available within the federal system.

The case was investigated by the ATF with assistance from the Louisville Metro Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erwin Roberts prosecuted it.

This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aiming to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement levels and communities. Additionally, it is part of the Prohibited Firearm Possessor Initiative (PFP), focusing on reducing violent crime and firearm offenses through partnerships among various law enforcement agencies and prosecutors.