Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Gary Man Sentenced to 96 Months Imprisonment Following Conviction for Possessing Firearm as a Felon
HAMMOND- Derek Tyrone Edwards, 40 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Edwards was sentenced to 96 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release when released from prison.
According to documents in the case, on February 15, 2018, law enforcement responded to 8th and Grant Street, Gary, Indiana, concerning a traffic collision and made contact with Edwards, an occupant of a vehicle. While talking to Edwards, law enforcement observed a gun magazine inside the vehicle and had Edwards exit the vehicle. Law enforcement recovered a 7.62x39mm semi-automatic pistol from the vehicle. In pleading guilty, Edwards admitted possessing the firearm and having prior felony convictions: a 2014 conviction in Indiana for Possession of Cocaine or Narcotic Drug and convictions in Wisconsin for Manufacture/Deliver THC in 2006, Possession with Intent THC in 2004, and Forgery in 2002.
This case was part of our Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. The program brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. Learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods.
This case was investigated by the ATF/HIDTA Task Force and Gary Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Padilla.
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