Curtis Birner, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Indiana 2021

PERU, IN – A jury in South Bend delivered a guilty verdict this week to Curtis Birner, 37, of Peru, Indiana, for illegally possessing a firearm. Birner, a convicted felon, now faces federal sentencing for the October 2021 offense. The two-day trial concluded with the jury finding Birner guilty on the single charge leveled against him.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) spearheaded the investigation, with crucial support from the Peru Police Department and the Miami County Sheriff’s Department. Details of the initial discovery of the firearm, and the circumstances surrounding Birner’s possession, remain largely sealed pending sentencing, but sources indicate the weapon was recovered during a separate local investigation.

United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson of the Northern District of Indiana announced the conviction, emphasizing the federal commitment to keeping firearms out of the hands of those legally prohibited from owning them. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm carries a potential maximum sentence determined by federal statutes and the United States Sentencing Guidelines. The exact length of Birner’s incarceration remains to be seen, pending the judge’s order.

Assistant United States Attorneys Jerome W. McKeever and Katelan Doyle prosecuted the case, presenting evidence that established Birner’s prior felony conviction and his subsequent possession of the firearm. The defense argued [details of defense not available], but ultimately failed to sway the jury.

This case isn’t being handled in isolation. It’s part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence across the nation. Launched in May 2021, the revamped PSN strategy focuses on building trust within communities, supporting local violence prevention groups, and prioritizing focused enforcement efforts.

Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr., presided over the trial. A sentencing date for Curtis Birner, 37, of Peru, Indiana, will be set by separate order of the Court. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available, shedding light on the underbelly of federal crime in Indiana and beyond.

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