Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Indianapolis Man Sentenced for Federal Firearms Violation

April 14, 2010 - INDIANAPOLIS—Ernest R. Snow, 44, Indianapolis, was sentenced to 15 years in prison today by U.S. District Judge Larry J. McKinney following his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm. This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD).

On January 16, 2009, IMPD officers responded to a 911 call regarding a report of a burglary in progress in the 5100 block of Thrush Drive on the west side of Indianapolis. The complainant had described the suspect and the vehicle which he was using. Officers stopped the vehicle and asked the operator and sole occupant, later identified as Ernest R. Snow, to step out. Snow resisted officers as he was asked to place his hands on the side of the vehicle. As Snow continued to resist, other officers assisted in subduing him. In doing so, officers discovered a handgun secured in the waistband of Snow’s pants. The firearm was a Glock 9mm handgun and was loaded with a round in the chamber. Following an oral notice of his Miranda rights, Snow stated that he was looking at the subject house as a possible place to rent and that he had found the firearm behind the residence. Snow acknowledged that he did could not lawfully possess the handgun.

Because Snow was found to have three prior qualifying felony convictions he was sentenced as an Armed Career Criminal. Such persons are subject to a mandatory minimum 15 years in prison.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Warden, who prosecuted the case for the government, Judge McKinney also imposed five years supervised release following Snow’s release from prison.

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