Indy Gun Ring Lands 22 Years in Federal Prison

INDIANAPOLIS – A brazen scheme to pilfer 240 firearms from a major Indianapolis shipping hub has resulted in hefty federal prison sentences for seven individuals, the Department of Justice announced today. The ring, operating between January and March 2022, systematically targeted shipments destined for multiple states, funneling stolen weapons into the hands of criminals across the Midwest and beyond.

The operation was spearheaded by Bruce Williams, 33, and Ryan Hurt, 30, both former employees of the Indianapolis shipping facility. Court documents reveal they exploited their positions to steal firearms and then enlisted accomplices to sell them for profit. Among those recruited were Malyk Mendez, 32, and convicted felon Antonio Grant, 33. The stolen guns were then distributed to buyers including convicted felon Dominique Ellison, 37, and Kevin Jones, Jr., 23, who further trafficked the weapons to a wider network.

The fallout from the thefts is staggering. Of the 240 firearms stolen, a paltry 61 have been recovered as of May 5, 2025 – over three years after the initial crimes. These recovered weapons have surfaced in connection to a litany of violent offenses: drug trafficking, domestic violence, shootings, carjackings, and even homicides, spanning Indianapolis, Lafayette, Gary, Chicago, Florida, and Oklahoma. Five of the recovered firearms were found on Williams and Hurt at the time of their arrests. The breakdown of stolen firearms included 174 9mm semi-automatic handguns, 38 .45 caliber semi-automatic handguns, 13 .38 caliber revolvers, 8 10mm semi-automatic handguns, 5 semi-automatic rifles, and 2 .22 caliber revolvers.

Sentencing details are as follows: Bruce Williams received the harshest penalty – 9 years imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release – followed by Ryan Hurt, who was sentenced to 4.5 years imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release. Kevin Jones, Jr. received 3.5 years imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release, while Zackary Doss, 27, and Malyk Mendez received 2.5 years and 1.5 years imprisonment respectively, both with 3 years and 1 year of supervised release. Dominique Ellison was sentenced to 1.5 years imprisonment with 3 years of supervised release, and Antonio Grant received 3 years of probation.

“Stolen firearms are a major source of crime guns for violent offenders and pose a serious threat to public safety,” stated Acting United States Attorney John E. Childress. “Working with our law enforcement partners, we’re committed to stopping gun traffickers, recovering stolen weapons, and keeping them out of the hands of dangerous individuals.” The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) jointly investigated the case, with U.S. District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson presiding over the sentencing.

The prosecution team, comprised of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Pamela S. Domash and Bradley P. Shepard, secured these convictions as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and local communities. The program, launched in May 2021, underscores the Department’s commitment to safeguarding neighborhoods and ensuring public safety. The vast majority of the stolen firearms remain unaccounted for, leaving a dangerous trail of potential violence in its wake.