U.S. Attorney’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative
targets the most violent offenders collaborating with ATF and local law
enforcement
Indianapolis - United States Attorney Josh Minkler and
Trevor Velinor, ATF Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Columbus Field Division
today announced the results of an anti-violence initiative called Project Safe
Neighborhoods (PSN). The goal of PSN, working together with federal, state and
local law enforcement is to reduce the number of criminal homicides and
non-fatal shootings in the Evansville area.
Focusing our law enforcement resources on the most violent
in our society will reduce crime, save lives and help make our neighborhoods
safer,” said Minkler. “Those who choose to terrorize Southwestern Indiana with
gun violence should know ahead of time, federal law enforcement is watching and
will respond with federal resources.”
The United States Attorney Evansville Division team led by
Deputy Chief Todd Shellenbarger has demonstrated steeled determination to
target the area’s most violent and habitual gun-toting felons for federal
prosecution. This renewed focus has yielded over 33 federal firearms cases in
2018, 22 of which were based in the Evansville PSN district. These cases were
investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the
Evansville Police Department, the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Department, the
Indiana State Police, and the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office.
In support of the PSN program, and to assist and strengthen
the efforts of local enforcement to reduce violent crime in Evansville, the ATF
sent a surge of resources to Evansville between July 24 and September 24, 2018.
During this time period, five additional ATF agents and Task Force Officers
were assigned to the Evansville ATF office. These additional agents and
officers teamed up with Evansville police officers to aggressively pursue
firearms cases in Evansville. The surge resulted in the arrest and prosecution
of numerous suspects for federal and state charges.
Federal defendants facing firearm and drug-related charges
as a result of the surge include:
Charles C. Baughn,
35, Vincennes, Indiana
Gary Bentley Jr.,
51, Evansville, Indiana
Joseph Byers Jr.,
35, Boonville, Indiana
Jamal Christopher,
34, Norcross, GA
Kurtis A. Evans,
42, Vincennes, Indiana
Austin G. Greene,
19, Bedford, Indiana
Justin Helsley,
27, Newburgh, Indiana
Samuel King, 35,
Evansville, Indiana
Terry W. Morris
II, 19, Cloverdale, Indiana
Barry Scott, a/k/a
Barron Scott, 58, Vincennes, Indiana
Marvin Robinson,
46, Jeffersonville, Indiana
William K.
Thompson 31, Evansville, Indiana
“These arrests represent the culmination of countless hours
of investigative work with our partners at the Evansville Police Department,
the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, the Indiana State Police, the United
States Attorney’s Office, and the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office,”
stated Trevor Velinor, Special Agent in Charge for ATF’s Columbus Field
Division. “We have forged and strengthened our cooperative efforts with the
goal of removing violent individuals from the streets and returning our
community to its rightful owners, those living, working, and raising families
there. These arrests represent just the first step in that continuing work.”
“We take pride in having great relationships with other law
enforcement agencies, including our Federal Partners. When we all work
together, it makes our communities much safer. This latest effort only
reinforces what can be accomplished when we all work together.”
In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler
announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s
response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution
demonstrates the Office’s firm commitment to prosecuting those who engage in
violent crime using firearms. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern
District of Indiana Strategic Plan 2.3.
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