Anderson Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Federal Firearms Offense

INDIANAPOLIS – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today, Keith Irwin, 33, Anderson, Ind., was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney III, in the federal courthouse in Indianapolis. Irwin was indicted and previously pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. "If you choose to illegally possess, manufacture, or alter firearms, you will be prosecuted federally, and to the full extent of the law," said Minkler. "The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to reducing violent crime by prosecuting those individuals who choose to engage in violent crime and commit firearms offenses." On January 16, 2018, the Anderson Police Department received a tip that Irwin, a convicted felon, was maintaining a machine shop in his garage where he altered AK-47 rifles from semi-automatic to full automatic for eventual distribution. On January 17, 2018, Anderson Police Department detectives along with a SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) and EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team executed a search warrant of the garage, where they saw an elaborate and well-equipped machine shop consisting of various lathes, presses, drills, and other heavy machines. During the search, officers seized 16

handguns, 20 rifles, 4 shotguns, approximately 53,383 rounds of ammunition in various calibers, and a body armor set. They also seized unfinished AR-15 type receives, unfinished AK-47 type receivers, and unfinished Uzi type receivers in various stages of manufacturing.

This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Indiana State Police, and the Anderson Police Department.

"The defendant not only illegally possessed firearms, he manufactured and sold them to others, putting the entire community at risk," stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Jonathan McPherson. "The combined investigative efforts of the Anderson Police Department, the Indiana State Police, and ATF hopefully ensures that the defendant will not be a threat to the community for quite some time."

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Abhishek S. Kambli, who prosecuted this case for the government, Irwin must serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

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 targeting the District’s most violent geographic areas for the adoption of reactive federal drug and firearm prosecutions. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan Section 2.2.