FORT WAYNE, IN – David L. Westfall, 44, of Angola and Hamilton, Indiana, is headed to federal prison for 84 months after pleading guilty to possessing an illegal, unregistered sawed-off shotgun and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Chief Judge Holly A. Brady delivered the sentence Wednesday, followed by a two-year period of supervised release.
The trouble started February 19th when officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked in a rural area east of New Haven. They quickly discovered Westfall had outstanding warrants for his arrest. Instead of complying with officers, Westfall retreated to his vehicle and brandished a firearm. He then fired a shotgun, shattering the driver’s side window of his own truck, immediately escalating the situation.
What followed was a tense, ten-hour standoff. Local law enforcement deemed the situation too dangerous for standard tactics and called in the Allen County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. Negotiators worked for hours to convince Westfall to surrender peacefully, finally succeeding after the prolonged confrontation. The scene was a chaotic mix of flashing lights and drawn weapons, a stark reminder of the dangers faced by officers responding to even seemingly minor calls.
Investigators later determined the shotgun Westfall fired was illegally modified – a sawed-off weapon not registered with federal authorities. As a convicted felon, Westfall was already prohibited from possessing any firearm. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation, with crucial support from the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, New Haven Police Department, Woodburn Police Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony W. Geller prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson framed the sentencing as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence across the country. PSN emphasizes building trust with communities, supporting local violence prevention programs, and prioritizing strategic enforcement. The program’s stated goal is simple: safer neighborhoods for everyone, though critics often point to the uneven application of such programs.
Westfall’s case serves as a grim illustration of the consequences of illegal gun possession and resistance to law enforcement. His 84-month sentence sends a message, according to authorities, that such actions will not be tolerated. The case file remains open for potential appeals, and Westfall’s legal team has yet to issue a statement. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it develops.
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