Gary, Indiana Man Sentenced To Prison For Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

HAMMOND-Edward T. Bell, 30, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by Judge Simon to 87 months imprisonment following his guilty plea to possession of firearms by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.   

According to documents in the case, during July and August 2018, the FBI and ATF purchased nine firearms, including a fully automatic pistol, from Edwards in East Chicago and Gary, Indiana.  Thereafter, in August 2018, during a search of Bell’s vehicles in Gary, Indiana, law enforcement recovered eleven semi-automatic pistols, one fully automatic pistol, 72 grams of crack cocaine, and synthetic marijuana.  Bell has prior felony convictions for possession of cocaine and distribution of ecstasy.    

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Chicago Field Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives-Chicago Field Division.  The case was prosecuted by Northern District of Indiana Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Padilla.