Kenneth Young, a 52-year-old resident of Hammond, Indiana, has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentencing was handed down by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund, according to an announcement from Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.
In addition to the prison term, Young will serve 24 months of supervised release following his incarceration.
Court documents show that on October 5, 2021, law enforcement officers attempted a traffic stop on Young in Hammond. After initially stopping, Young sped away as an officer approached his vehicle. He led police on a chase into Calumet City, Illinois, where he crashed into another car and then fled on foot. During a search of his vehicle, officers found a loaded firearm with its serial number removed. Young’s criminal record includes previous felony convictions for offenses such as being a felon in possession of a firearm, which legally barred him from owning firearms or ammunition.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force conducted the investigation with support from the Hammond Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Caitlin M. Padula and Francis Sohn prosecuted the case.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies and community organizations. In May 2021, the Department announced an updated strategy for PSN focused on building trust within communities, supporting local violence prevention programs, setting targeted enforcement priorities, and tracking results.
