HAMMOND, IN – Arnold Flores, 30, of East Chicago, Indiana, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 18 months for illegally possessing firearms. Senior Judge Moody delivered the sentence following Flores’ guilty plea, a blow struck against those who flout both immigration and gun laws, according to Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.
The case details a brazen disregard for the law. In October 2024, Flores, already an illegal alien with a prior felony conviction for residential entry, allegedly brandished a firearm at the occupants of another vehicle while driving in Schererville. Just months later, in February 2025, he was found to be in possession of a second firearm in Gary. Both weapons were ultimately recovered by law enforcement, preventing potential further harm.
“This District is dedicated to prosecuting illegal aliens who, like Arnold Flores, choose to violate federal law by possessing firearms that Congress has prohibited them from possessing,” Proctor stated bluntly. “As Mr. Flores has learned, such serious crimes will not go unpunished in northern Indiana.” The sentence isn’t just about Flores, Proctor emphasized, it’s a warning to others contemplating similar actions.
The investigation was a collaborative effort led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force, bolstered by the Gary and Schererville Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorney Dean R. Lanter skillfully prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and subsequent sentencing. This wasn’t a lone pursuit; it’s a coordinated push against escalating criminal activity.
This case falls under the umbrella of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide initiative designed to aggressively combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from violent crime. The operation streamlines resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), signaling a full-scale offensive.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a key component, bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence. Launched in May 2021, the reinvigorated PSN strategy prioritizes building trust, supporting community-based violence prevention, focused enforcement, and measurable results. Flores’ sentence serves as a stark reminder that accountability will be pursued at every level, aiming to make northern Indiana’s neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Related Federal Cases
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- Indianapolis Duo Gets Pinched for Trafficking Dozens of Firearms to Chicago · Illinois
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Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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