Federal Grand Jury Indicts Louisville Felon for Illegally Possessing a Firearm and Distributing Heroin and Methamphetamine

Louisville, KY – A federal grand jury in Louisville returned an indictment on October 16, 2024, charging a local man with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine.

U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, U.S. Marshal Gary B. Burman of the Western District of Kentucky, and Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.

According to the indictment, Joseph Abbott, 39, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine. On September 5, 2024, Abbott possessed a Glock, model 22, .40 caliber handgun and ammunition.  Abbott was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses.

On January 12, 2015, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Abbott was convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree (heroin) 2 grams or more and tampering with physical evidence.

On June 11, 2010, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Abbott was convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree (cocaine) while in possession of a firearm, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon (2 counts), promoting contraband in the first degree, illegal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree (cocaine) (2 counts), receiving stolen property over $300 (2 counts), and tampering with physical evidence.

On March 27, 2006, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Abbott was convicted of illegal possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) and receiving stolen property over $300 (2 counts).

The defendant made his initial court appearance this week before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. A detention hearing is scheduled for March 12, 2025. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

There is no parole in the federal system.   

This case is being investigated by the US Marshals Service with assistance from the Louisville Metro Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia P. Gomez is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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