Evansville Man Sentenced On Federal Firearm Charges

EVANSVILLE – Joseph H. Hogsett, the United States Attorney, announced today Basil Kamali, 27, of Evansville, Indiana, was sentenced to 48 months by U.S. District Chief Judge Richard L. Young following his guilty plea to knowingly receiving a firearm with the intent to commit a robbery.

“Holding violent criminals who illegally possess firearms accountable is one of the top priorities of my office,” said Hogsett. “The revolving door of justice for Mr. Kamali stops today with this sentencing.”

Kamali admitted at his change of plea hearing held in January of this year, that on January 4, 2013, Kamali was preparing to commit a robbery and needed a firearm. He arranged the meeting with an individual to make a purchase at a Walmart on South Red Bank Road.

On the evening of January 4, 2013, ATF agents and detectives from the Evansville Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force (JTF) set up surveillance and observed Kamali. An undercover agent and detective made contact with Kamali and showed him a firearm and ammunition. Kamali informed the undercover agent he could do “something tonight” and get the agent the money for the gun. Kamali indicated he was going to rob some Adope boys.” Kamali then left with the firearm and ammunition and was apprehended immediately thereafter. Kamali is a convicted felon and was on state parole for burglary and attempted armed robbery.

This matter was invested by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Evansville Police Department and is part of Hogsett’s Violent Crime Initiative. Launched in March 2011, the VCI has produced a dramatic increase in the number of gun-related charges brought federally. In the year preceding the initiative, there were just 14 defendants charged with federal gun crimes by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. In the nearly three years since, more than 225 defendants have been charged.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Wheatley, who prosecuted the case for the government, Judge Young also ordered Kamali to service a period of 3 years on supervised release upon his release from imprisonment.