Federal Law Enforcement Highlight Continuity of Operations During Government Shutdown

INDIANAPOLIS- On Wednesday, November 19^th, federal law enforcement leaders from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, FBI Indianapolis, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives gathered at a roundtable discussion to highlight each agency’s accomplishments in maintaining public safety during the 43‑day government shutdown.

“No matter the circumstances, our commitment to you does not waver. We are here every day- protecting communities, upholding the rule of law, and defending the safety and rights of Hoosiers,” said U.S. Attorney Wheeler. “We extend our deepest gratitude to the men and women of the U.S. Department of Justice and our federal law enforcement partners in Indianapolis and across the district. Despite going without pay for six weeks, they continued to safeguard our communities and uphold the rule of law with unwavering commitment.”

“I could not be prouder of the men and women of the FBI who showed up every day during the shutdown because protecting the American people isn’t something we do only when it’s convenient - it’s our mission,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy O’Malley. “Alongside our partners we continued investigations, responded to threats, and worked to keep our communities safe, even without receiving a paycheck. That’s what public service looks like.”

“ATF protects America’s communities by confronting violent crime driven by the illegal use of firearms, explosives and acts of arson.  Our Special Agents concentrate on identifying and dismantling illegal firearms traffickers who fuel violence by arming prohibited persons, gang members, drug cartels, illegal aliens and terrorist organizations.  Through advanced Crime Gun Intelligence (NIBIN, firearms tracing, and touch DNA), ATF partners with state and local law enforcement to investigate, identify, and prosecute violent offenders.  At the same time, we safeguard lawful commerce and uphold the Second Amendment.”

This commitment to justice was no more evident than in the Southern District of Indiana, where the attorneys and staff of the United States Attorney’s Office, as well as our federal partners, continued critical operations to keep Hoosiers safe.

For the period between October 1st and November 12^th, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) secured federal charges against 41 individuals:

• 19 for violent crime and firearms
• 13 for federal drug trafficking
• 6 for child sexual exploitation
• 3 for fraud

The USAO also secured federal prison sentences against another 30 individuals:

• 12 for violent crime and firearms
• 12 for federal drug trafficking
• 1 for child sexual exploitation
• 5 for fraud

The Civil Division safeguarded the interests of the federal government in both federal and state courts, resolving allegations of fraud against the public, including a $9.6 million health care fraud settlement under the False Claims Act and Anti‑Kickback Statute. The division defended the United States, its agencies, and employees in more than forty new lawsuits, enforced debts owed by criminal defendants, and pursued asset forfeiture actions that returned thousands of dollars to crime victims.

The Appellate Division advanced key prosecutions, handling 11 appeals and managing 7 district court cases. These included affirming convictions of methamphetamine and fentanyl traffickers, a child molester in possession of child sexual abuse material, and an armed robber of a cell phone store. The division also litigated appeals involving a Sinaloa Cartel member smuggling drugs across the border, local drug dealers, a police officer convicted of assaulting detainees, a felon selling meth while armed, and a robber who stole $148,000 at gunpoint from an ATM worker.

These cases, and many others like them, were successfully worked by the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals and state and local law enforcement partners while the government was shut down. U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked law enforcement partners throughout the Southern District of Indiana and the paralegals, victim specialists, financial investigator, and federal prosecutors who work in the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

###