Four men with violent felony records in Indianapolis have been sentenced to federal prison for illegally possessing firearms. The cases were investigated and prosecuted separately, with each defendant facing different charges and sentences.
Roscoe Nuckols, 39, received a sentence of 15 years and five months for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. His prior convictions include three counts of felony burglary. Andres Espinosa, 37, was sentenced to five years and eleven months for the same charge; his record includes conspiracy to commit robbery, unlawful possession of a syringe, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon. Stephen Davis, 41, received three years in prison following previous convictions for sexual misconduct with a minor, failure to register as a sex offender, and possession of methamphetamine. Jarvis Watson Jr., 57, was sentenced to five years after being found guilty of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon; he had previously been convicted for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
Law enforcement seized several firearms during these investigations: an FN 9 mm handgun, RF-15 rifle, Ruger 5.7 handgun, Ruger Security 9 handgun, Glock 44 .22 caliber firearm with extended magazine, Smith & Wesson handgun, and Smith & Wesson 9mm caliber semiautomatic pistol.
Details from the investigations show that Nuckols was found unconscious on October 5, 2023 at an intersection in Indianapolis with a loaded handgun tucked into his shorts while suspected of being under the influence. On August 5, 2024 officers conducting a home-detention compliance check discovered Espinosa hiding multiple firearms in his residence. In January 2024 Fishers police stopped Davis for traffic violations and found him carrying knives; they later discovered drugs and an illegal firearm in his vehicle. On December 31, 2022 Carmel police approached Watson after finding his car blocking traffic; he was found carrying an illegal pistol.
Federal law prohibits individuals with felony convictions from possessing firearms.
“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 ATF is pleased with the outcomes in all these cases,” said Special Agent in Charge Jorge Rosendo. By leveraging our unique capabilities in coordination with our partner agencies, we work to suppress violent crime at its core and help create safer neighborhoods. Our foremost concern remains felons who continue to illegally possess firearms in furtherance of criminal activity, and we will continue to hold them accountable.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), Fishers Police Department and Carmel Police Department conducted the investigations leading up to these prosecutions. U.S. District Court Judges Richard L. Young, Matthew P. Brookman, Tanya Walton Pratt and Sarah Evans Barker imposed the sentences.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany Preston, Carolyn Haney, Cristina Caraballo-Colon along with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nate Walter prosecuted these cases.
These efforts are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which coordinates between various levels of law enforcement agencies as well as community organizations aiming to reduce gun violence through strategic enforcement priorities.
