SOUTH BEND, IN – Another thug off the streets. Nathan Keosackdy, 24, of Elkhart, Indiana, learned a harsh lesson this week when United States District Court Senior Judge Jon E. DeGuilio handed down a 51-month prison sentence for possessing a firearm despite a prior felony conviction. The sentencing follows a two-day jury trial concluded on November 14, 2023, where Keosackdy was found guilty as charged, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
The feds say Keosackdy wasn’t about to let a little thing like a criminal record stop him from getting his hands on a piece. Back in September 2022, Keosackdy, already legally barred from owning or buying a firearm, allegedly strong-armed another individual into purchasing a gun for him. He hand-picked the weapon, then paid the accomplice after the purchase was complete, brazenly walking out of the federally licensed dealer with the illegal hardware.
This wasn’t a spontaneous act. The investigation, spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with crucial support from the South Bend and Mishawaka Police Departments, revealed a calculated scheme. Keosackdy knew the rules, and he deliberately broke them. Now he’ll have plenty of time to contemplate his choices behind bars. After serving his 51-month sentence, he’ll be subject to two years of supervised release – assuming he can stay out of trouble.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jerome W. McKeever and Lydia T. Lucius were the prosecutors on this case, building a solid case that convinced a jury of Keosackdy’s guilt. They presented the evidence, and the jury spoke. This conviction sends a clear message: if you’re a convicted felon and you try to illegally obtain a firearm, you will be caught, and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Federal officials are framing this case as part of the broader “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) initiative. PSN aims to bring together federal, state, and local law enforcement, along with community partners, to combat violent crime and gun violence. The Department launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, focusing on building trust within communities, supporting local organizations, and prioritizing enforcement efforts.
The Department’s stated goal is to make neighborhoods safer. Whether this strategy truly addresses the root causes of crime remains to be seen, but for now, one less illegally armed felon is walking the streets of Elkhart. Keosackdy’s case serves as a stark reminder that possessing a firearm while prohibited carries serious consequences. And for the residents of South Bend and beyond, it’s a small victory in a never-ending battle against gun violence.
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Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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