Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today that Larry Patton, 28, Indianapolis, Indiana, was indicted on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon following an investigation conducted by the Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC).

“As part of the Attorney General’s top Department of Justice priorities, we will continue to utilize CGIC to identify and prosecute those individuals illegally in possession of firearms,” said Minkler.

Patton came to the attention of CGIC as a result of being a suspect in multiple shootings in Indianapolis. During the investigation of Patton, CGIC investigators did surveillance on Patton and learned that he was the subject of several outstanding Marion County felony warrants.    

Investigators attempted to initiate a traffic stop on Patton in which he refused to stop. After wrecking his vehicle into three other vehicles, Patton exited his vehicle and fled on foot. As police chased Patton, Patton pulled a loaded Glock pistol from his waistband and threw the pistol down on an embankment. Police recovered the loaded pistol following the apprehension of Patton. The pistol had previously been reported stolen. Patton purchased the pistol from an unknown individual for $200 in December of 2018.

CGIC is an interagency collaboration focused on the immediate collection, management, and analysis of crime gun evidence in real time, in an effort to identify shooters, disrupt criminal activity, and prevent future violence. The primary outcome of CGIC is identifying armed violent offenders for investigation and prosecution.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD).   

“Through crime gun intelligence and solid investigative work by ATF and IPMD, Patton was brought into custody,” said Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division.

“IMPD investigators in the Crime Gun Intelligence Center work closely with the crime lab and our law enforcement partners to focus on violent individuals and the crime guns they utilize,” said IMPD Chief Bryan Roach. “The CGIC model allows us to more effectively hold accountable individuals like Mr. Patton who are disproportionately responsible for gun crimes in our city. Since January, these collaborative investigations have resulted in the removal of 293 violent individuals and 211 crime guns from our community.”

According to Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence D. Hilton, who is prosecuting the case for the government, Patton faces up to 10 years in federal prison followed by 36 months’ of supervised release.

An Indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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 partner with federal and local law enforcement agencies to prosecute individuals committing violent crimes involving firearms. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan Section 2.3.

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