Federal law enforcement agencies in Indiana have emphasized their continued operations during the recent 43-day government shutdown. On November 19, leaders from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, FBI Indianapolis, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) met to discuss their efforts to maintain public safety throughout the shutdown.
U.S. Attorney Wheeler stated, “No matter the circumstances, our commitment to you does not waver. We are here every day- protecting communities, upholding the rule of law, and defending the safety and rights of Hoosiers. We extend our deepest gratitude to the men and women of the U.S. Department of Justice and our federal law enforcement partners in Indianapolis and across the district. Despite going without pay for six weeks, they continued to safeguard our communities and uphold the rule of law with unwavering commitment.”
FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy O’Malley added, “I could not be prouder of the men and women of the FBI who showed up every day during the shutdown because protecting the American people isn’t something we do only when it’s convenient - it’s our mission. Alongside our partners we continued investigations, responded to threats, and worked to keep our communities safe, even without receiving a paycheck. That’s what public service looks like.”
A statement from ATF highlighted their ongoing focus on combating violent crime: “ATF protects America’s communities by confronting violent crime driven by the illegal use of firearms, explosives and acts of arson. Our Special Agents concentrate on identifying and dismantling illegal firearms traffickers who fuel violence by arming prohibited persons, gang members, drug cartels, illegal aliens and terrorist organizations. Through advanced Crime Gun Intelligence (NIBIN, firearms tracing, and touch DNA), ATF partners with state and local law enforcement to investigate, identify, and prosecute violent offenders. At the same time, we safeguard lawful commerce and uphold the Second Amendment.”
During this period—from October 1 through November 12—the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed federal charges against 41 individuals for offenses including violent crime involving firearms (19 cases), federal drug trafficking (13 cases), child sexual exploitation (6 cases), and fraud (3 cases). In addition to these prosecutions, federal prison sentences were secured against another 30 individuals: 12 for violent crime or firearms violations; 12 for drug trafficking; one for child sexual exploitation; five for fraud.
The Civil Division handled matters in both federal and state courts such as resolving allegations under statutes like False Claims Act leading to a $9.6 million health care fraud settlement; defending United States interests in over forty new lawsuits; enforcing debts owed by criminal defendants; pursuing asset forfeiture actions that returned funds to victims.
Meanwhile, appellate attorneys managed eleven appeals along with seven district court cases involving convictions ranging from narcotics trafficking—methamphetamine or fentanyl—to child sexual abuse material possession as well as armed robbery incidents.
These activities involved cooperation among multiple agencies including FBI Indianapolis office staffers as well as ATF agents working alongside DEA officers plus support from U.S Marshals Service together with state/local police departments—all continuing despite not being paid during much of this period.
U.S Attorney Wheeler acknowledged contributions from all partners across Southern District Indiana—including paralegals/victim specialists/financial investigators/federal prosecutors—for sustaining critical operations through challenging circumstances.
