South Bend Man Steven Polito Gets 51 Months for Gun Possession

SOUTH BEND — Steven Polito, 24, of South Bend, Indiana, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 51 months for illegally possessing multiple firearms as a convicted felon. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Damon R. Leichty, marks another enforcement win under the federal government’s crackdown on violent gun crime.

Polito admitted guilt in court to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, a charge stemming from evidence gathered in April 2021. During the investigation, authorities discovered Polito was in possession of several weapons — including a semi-automatic firearm capable of accepting a high-capacity magazine. Possession of such weapons by someone with a prior felony conviction carries stiff federal penalties.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation, working in tandem with the South Bend Police Department. Their joint efforts targeted individuals with documented criminal histories who continue to traffic or possess firearms, a core focus of the South Bend Group Violence Intervention Program.

Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer prosecuted the case, emphasizing Polito’s status as a prohibited person under federal law. The 51-month sentence is followed by one year of supervised release, during which Polito will be closely monitored for compliance with federal conditions.

This prosecution was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce violent crime. PSN relies on data-driven strategies and coordination between federal, state, and local agencies to target the most active and dangerous offenders in high-crime areas like South Bend.

U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson reaffirmed the federal commitment to removing illegal guns from circulation. ‘When felons are caught with firearms, especially military-style weapons with high-capacity magazines, we treat that as a top-tier threat,’ Johnson said. ‘This sentence sends a message: we’re watching, and we’re acting.’

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