Four men with prior violent felony convictions have been sentenced to federal prison in Indianapolis for illegally possessing firearms. The cases, which were prosecuted separately, involved Christopher Martin, Desmond Hess, Andrew Pernell Jr., and Jessie Stephens.
Christopher Martin, 33, received a five-year sentence for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. His previous convictions include reckless homicide and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.
Desmond Hess, also 33, was sentenced to five and a half years for two counts of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He had prior convictions for criminal confinement and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.
Andrew Pernell Jr., 44, received four years and nine months in prison after being found guilty of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Pernell's criminal history includes dealing cocaine and illegal gun possession.
Jessie Stephens, 24, was sentenced to seven and a half years in federal prison. His record includes strangulation, domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury, intimidation, criminal confinement, and resisting law enforcement.
The investigations led to the seizure and forfeiture of several firearms: Glock handguns (including one reported stolen in Hamilton County), an AR pistol with an illegal machinegun conversion device, and Taurus pistols (one reported stolen in 2022).
On November 17, 2023, Lawrence Police officers attempted to stop Hess and Martin during a traffic incident. The suspects fled at high speed before crashing their vehicle. A search uncovered loaded firearms inside the car; both men were later arrested on outstanding warrants related to illegal firearm possession.
On July 19, 2024, an off-duty Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer witnessed Andrew Pernell Jr. brandishing a pistol at an intersection downtown. After fleeing the scene when confronted by the officer—who remained in his vehicle—Pernell was apprehended later that day carrying another stolen semiautomatic pistol.
On February 10, 2025, IMPD officers checked on Jessie Stephens after his GPS monitor placed him near someone protected by a no-contact order against him. When approached by police he tried to discard his handgun but was arrested without incident.
“Convicted violent felons who continue to arm themselves pose a grave threat to our communities. These prosecutions demonstrate our commitment to working with federal, state, and local law enforcement to remove illegal firearms from the streets and hold offenders accountable. We will not tolerate individuals who repeatedly disregard the law and endanger public safety,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.
“The prosecution of convicted felons who unlawfully possess firearms is among the ATF’s highest priorities. These convictions underscore the agency’s continued commitment to reducing violent crime. Regrettably, these offenders chose actions inconsistent with the obligations imposed by their prior convictions, and they will now bear the consequences,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Jorge Rosendo.
“Each of these cases demonstrates how critical it is to keep firearms out of the hands of convicted violent felons to protect our communities,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “The FBI will continue working with our partners to identify and remove illegally possessed guns from the hands of those who are prohibited from having them.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), and Lawrence Police Department investigated these cases. Sentences were issued by U.S. District Court Judges Jane Magnus-Stinson, Tanya Walton Pratt, and James P. Hanlon.
U.S. Attorney Wheeler acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jayson W. McGrath, Brendan J. Sullivan, and Matt Barloh for prosecuting these cases.
These prosecutions are part of efforts under the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force (ICGTF). The ICGTF brings together law enforcement personnel from Boone County; Hamilton County; Hancock County; Hendricks County; Marion County; Morgan County; Johnson County; Shelby County; along with state and federal agencies—to address violent crime through coordinated strategies targeting suspects involved in gun-related offenses.
