Violent Criminal Initiative Leads to 3 Evansville-Area Arrests
By: Jenny Hunt
Updated: November 29, 2012
United States Attorney Joseph Hogsett was in Evansville Thursday to
announce federal weapons indictments against three southwestern Indiana
men.
The Violent Crime Initiative represents a collaboration between local law enforcement and county prosecutors to prosecute those who possess and distribute firearms throughout central and southern Indiana.
So far this year more than a hundred federal firearms charges have been filed against defendants.
Thursday's indictments include the following:
Stedman Baird, 23 of Newburgh, Indiana
Jackie Whittley Jr., 32 of Mt. Vernon, Indiana
Michael White, 54 of Evansville
The indictment against Stedman Baird alleges he was found to be in possession of a .38 caliber handgun by authorities in Warrick County earlier this month. Baird is not legally entitled to possess a firearm because of past felony convictions in Vanderburgh County, according to Hogsett.
Jackie Whittley Jr. is accused of being in possession of an unregistered sawed-off shotgun and another weapon in Posey County. Whittley has previous convictions in Clark County, according to the indictment which also states the barrel length on the shotgun was in violation of federal law.
Michael White allegedly was in possession of two pistols and shotgun ammunition on November 7,2012 and was arrested by Vanderburgh County law enforcement. White also is not legally entitled to possess a firearm because of a prior federal felony conviction for conspiring to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
All of the defendants face a possible penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
The Violent Crime Initiative represents a collaboration between local law enforcement and county prosecutors to prosecute those who possess and distribute firearms throughout central and southern Indiana.
So far this year more than a hundred federal firearms charges have been filed against defendants.
Thursday's indictments include the following:
Stedman Baird, 23 of Newburgh, Indiana
Jackie Whittley Jr., 32 of Mt. Vernon, Indiana
Michael White, 54 of Evansville
The indictment against Stedman Baird alleges he was found to be in possession of a .38 caliber handgun by authorities in Warrick County earlier this month. Baird is not legally entitled to possess a firearm because of past felony convictions in Vanderburgh County, according to Hogsett.
Jackie Whittley Jr. is accused of being in possession of an unregistered sawed-off shotgun and another weapon in Posey County. Whittley has previous convictions in Clark County, according to the indictment which also states the barrel length on the shotgun was in violation of federal law.
Michael White allegedly was in possession of two pistols and shotgun ammunition on November 7,2012 and was arrested by Vanderburgh County law enforcement. White also is not legally entitled to possess a firearm because of a prior federal felony conviction for conspiring to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
All of the defendants face a possible penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
