Aguila Binion, a 48-year-old resident of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced on Mar. 19 to 144 months in prison after being convicted by a jury of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, according to United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Binion will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. The sentencing took place before United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco.
Court documents show that police found Binion asleep behind the wheel of a running car. He had a bag of cocaine and more than $1,500 in cash on his person. Officers also discovered boxes of plastic baggies, a digital scale, and several small bags containing pre-packaged cocaine on the front seat. A fully loaded pistol was located within arm’s reach in the back seat.
"The Defendant was all set up to distribute poison in our community. He had the product, the packaging, money to make change, a scale to make accurate sales, and a gun to protect his illicit business enterprise. He has forfeited twelve years of his life because of his crimes. The Northern District of Indiana is safer for the efforts of the South Bend Police Department, the St. Joseph County Police Department, the Indiana State Police Laboratory, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives," said Mildred.
The investigation was conducted by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with support from local law enforcement agencies including South Bend Police Department and St. Joseph County Police Department as well as assistance from Indiana State Police Laboratory.
Assistant United States Attorneys Joel Gabrielse and Luke N. Reilander prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies at all levels alongside community organizations.
