ALBION, IN – Anthony Linn, 29, is headed to federal prison for over a decade after a high-speed chase and a ditch full of drugs and a gun. Linn was sentenced to 144 months – that’s 12 years – by U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady, following a guilty plea on charges of possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
The bust went down June 14, 2021, when an officer spotted Linn driving a vehicle sporting bogus license plates. Rather than pull over, Linn floored it, kicking off a police pursuit. In a desperate attempt to ditch the evidence, Linn tossed a handgun and a magazine out the window while fleeing. The chase ended in a parking lot, where Linn then chucked a plastic bag containing roughly 31 grams of methamphetamine.
Federal prosecutors weren’t buying it. U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson announced the sentencing, stating the case highlights the commitment to taking dangerous drug traffickers off the streets. Linn will serve his 144-month sentence, followed by four years of supervised release – assuming he makes it that far. It’s a hefty price for a reckless decision to run and a clear disregard for the law.
The investigation was a joint effort, spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Fort Wayne Police Department’s Gang and Violent Crime Unit also lent a hand, proving that when agencies cooperate, they can effectively target and dismantle criminal operations. This wasn’t a solo operation; it was a coordinated takedown.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery handled the prosecution, building a solid case against Linn based on the physical evidence and the circumstances of his attempted escape. The 31 grams of methamphetamine, while not a king’s ransom, is enough to land a significant sentence, especially when coupled with the firearm charge. It’s a clear message that possessing guns while dealing drugs carries severe consequences.
Linn’s case serves as a grim reminder that attempting to evade law enforcement and destroy evidence will only compound the charges. The combination of drug trafficking and firearm possession invariably leads to lengthy federal sentences. The streets of Albion, and the Northern District of Indiana, are a little safer with Linn behind bars. The Chicago Field Division of the ATF played a key role in bringing this case to a close.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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