Violent Felon Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a Firearm

EVANSVILLE— James Charleston Jr., 36, of Evansville, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.  

According to court documents, on August 3, 2024, Evansville Police Department officers were dispatched to Garvin Street in Evansville, on reports of a distressed man waiving a silver gun in the air and pointing it at people. The man was also shouting and cussing.  

Upon arrival, officers found the man, James Charleston, and ordered him to get on the ground. Charleston refused to comply and told the officers to shoot him multiple times, adding, “I’m willing to die right now!” He also said, “You better get me before I get you.”

Charleston was eventually detained and placed in handcuffs. During a search of his person, officers located a silver 9mm pistol in his waistband, loaded with nine rounds.   

At the time of this arrest, Charleston had been previously convicted of multiple felony offenses, including two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, carrying a handgun without a license, domestic battery, strangulation, aggravated robbery, two counts of identity theft, two counts of theft, and failure to return to lawful detention. These prior felony convictions prohibit him from ever legally possessing a firearm again.

“Illegally armed, repeat violent criminals are responsible for a disproportionate share of the gun violence suffered in Evansville and all our communities. These offenses will not be tolerated,” said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Let it be clear that if you choose to illegally carry a firearm, you risk serving a serious sentence in federal prison.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Evansville Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Matthew P. Brookman.

Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Miller who prosecuted this case.

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