Violent Felons in Indianapolis Receive Federal Sentences for Firearms Crimes

INDIANAPOLIS- Four violent felons have been removed from the streets of Indianapolis having been sentenced to federal prison for illegally possessing firearms. Each case stemmed from separate investigations and was prosecuted independently. 

As part of these investigations, the following firearms were seized and forfeited to law enforcement:

1. Glock 23 .40-caliber handgun with extended magazine and machinegun conversion device
2. Glock Model 17, 9mm semiautomatic handgun
3. Glock 22 .40-caliber pistol (reported stolen in Hamilton County)
4. Springfield Saint Edge AR pistol with machinegun conversion device
5. Taurus G2S 9mm semiautomatic pistol (reported stolen in 2022)
6. Taurus G2C 9mm handgun

Desmond Hess and Christopher Martin:

On November 17, 2023, Lawrence Police Department officers attempted a traffic stop on Hess (driver) and Martin (passenger). The men fled at a high rate of speed, eventually crashing and abandoning their vehicle. A search of the wrecked car revealed a loaded Glock 23 with an extended magazine on the driver’s floorboard, along with a loaded Glock 22 and a loaded AR pistol on the passenger side. The Glock had been reported stolen in Hamilton County, and the AR pistol was equipped with an illegal machinegun conversion device. Both men were later arrested on outstanding warrants for illegal firearm possession.

Andrew Pernell Jr.:

On July 19, 2024, an off-duty IMPD officer driving a personal vehicle stopped at a downtown Indianapolis traffic light. As the traffic light turned green, Pernell, Jr. walked in front of the officer’s vehicle and removed a semiautomatic pistol from his waistband. Seeing the pistol in Pernell’s hand, the officer, still seated in his car, drew his service weapon. Pernell chambered a round, pointed his pistol at the officer, and fled. The officer immediately provided Pernell’s description to on-duty IMPD officers. Later that day, officers located Pernell and found him carrying a loaded semiautomatic pistol reported stolen in 2022.

Jessie Stephens:

On February 10, 2025, IMPD officers conducted a welfare check after Stephens’ GPS monitor was tracked near the residence of a person with a no-contact order against him. When approached, Stephens attempted to discard a loaded handgun by throwing it over a fence. He was arrested that day without incident.

“Convicted violent felons who continue to arm themselves pose a grave threat to our communities. These prosecutions demonstrate our commitment to working with federal, state, and local law enforcement to remove illegal firearms from the streets and hold offenders accountable. We will not tolerate individuals who repeatedly disregard the law and endanger public safety.,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.

“The prosecution of convicted felons who unlawfully possess firearms is among the ATF’s highest priorities. These convictions underscore the agency’s continued commitment to reducing violent crime. Regrettably, these offenders chose actions inconsistent with the obligations imposed by their prior convictions, and they will now bear the consequences,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Jorge Rosendo.

“Each of these cases demonstrates how critical it is to keep firearms out of the hands of convicted violent felons to protect our communities,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “The FBI will continue working with our partners to identify and remove illegally possessed guns from the hands of those who are prohibited from having them.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, FBI, IMPD, and Lawrence Police Department investigated these cases. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Judges Jane Magnus-Stinson, Tanya Walton Pratt, and James P. Hanlon.

U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jayson W. McGrath, Brendan J. Sullivan, and Matt Barloh, who prosecuted these cases.

These cases were brought as part of the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force (ICGTF). ICGTF is a partnership of law enforcement officers and analysts from several central Indiana law enforcement agencies in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan, Johnson, and Shelby counties. In cooperation with state, local, and federal partners, ICGTF collaborates to address violent crime through a comprehensive strategy including innovative approaches to locating suspects and evidence related to violent crimes and illegal possession of firearms.

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