Convicted Violent Offender Imprisoned for Nearly a Decade in Federal Penitentiary for Carrying Firearm During Period of Community Supervision

In a significant move towards reducing gun violence in Indianapolis and other communities, Brandon Williams, a 39-year-old resident of the city, has been sentenced to 115 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The case, part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence, was investigated by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

On October 18, 2023, officers found a trove of illegal substances and paraphernalia in Williams' home, including thirty-two grams of fentanyl, eighteen methamphetamine pills, three grams of crystal methamphetamine, multiple THC vape cartridges and edibles, drug paraphernalia, and $8,280 in cash. Additionally, a .40 caliber handgun with an obliterated serial number was discovered in Williams' bedroom.

Prior to this incident, Williams had been convicted of multiple felonies, including Methamphetamine and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon. As a convicted felon, Williams is permanently prohibited from ever again legally possessing a firearm under federal law.

U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers, who thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jayson W. McGrath for prosecuting this case, has stated that illegally armed repeat violent criminals are responsible for a disproportionate share of gun violence in Indianapolis and other communities.

The Department's violent crime reduction strategy, launched on May 26, 2021, is based on the core principles of fostering trust and legitimacy, supporting community-based organizations, setting focused enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This strategy strengthens PSN, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Williams began serving a home detention sentence due to felony convictions for Dealing in Methamphetamine and Battery Against a Public Safety Official on December 2, 2022. In addition to his prison sentence, Williams must also pay a $1,000 fine and serve three years of supervised release after prison.

The case of Brandon Williams serves as an example of the enforcement priorities set by Project Safe Neighborhoods. U.S. Attorney Myers stressed the importance of such cases in ensuring the safety of communities across the nation. The sentence for Williams, imposed by Chief U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt, is a testament to the Department's commitment to reducing violent crime and gun violence.

Convicted Violent Offender Imprisoned for Nearly a Decade in Federal Penitentiary for Carrying Firearm During Period of Community Supervision