Montrell Douglas Patterson, a 31-year-old resident of Gary, Indiana, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentencing was handed down by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after Patterson pleaded guilty to the charge.
According to case documents, the incident occurred on July 10, 2024, when officers from the Gary Police Department responded to a citizen complaint. Upon arrival at the scene, an officer observed Patterson with a firearm that had an extended magazine tucked into his waistband. When approached by police, Patterson attempted to flee and tried to jump over a fence but dropped the firearm in the process. Authorities recovered the weapon and found it loaded with ammunition and a live round in the chamber.
Patterson’s criminal record includes previous felony convictions for intimidation, criminal recklessness, and escape. These prior offenses made him legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force with support from the Gary Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Padilla prosecuted the case.
The prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local communities. The program focuses on building trust within communities, supporting organizations that work to prevent violence before it occurs, prioritizing targeted enforcement strategies, and evaluating outcomes.
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