SOUTH BEND, IN – Eric Blackmon, 25, is headed to federal prison after admitting to illegally possessing and attempting to sell a handgun while already a convicted felon. Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio of the U.S. District Court handed down a 57-month sentence followed by two years of supervised release on Thursday, January 12, 2023.
The case, investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), revealed Blackmon brokered a handgun sale in Michigan City back in September 2022. He wasn’t just a middleman; he brought his own 9-millimeter semi-automatic firearm – complete with an extended magazine – to the deal. Law enforcement eventually recovered the weapon, despite Blackmon’s efforts to hide it.
This wasn’t Blackmon’s first brush with the law. Court documents show he’s a repeat offender, with prior felony convictions for both strangulation and burglary. Those convictions alone legally barred him from owning or possessing any firearm. Federal prosecutors, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel Gabrielse and Katelan McKenzie Doyle, successfully argued that Blackmon’s actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law and a danger to public safety.
The ATF didn’t work alone. The LaPorte County Drug Task Force and the Michigan City Police Department provided crucial assistance in the investigation. The recovery of the weapon and subsequent prosecution highlight the ongoing efforts to curb illegal gun trafficking and reduce violent crime in the region.
Federal officials are framing this case as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a nationwide initiative designed to bring together law enforcement agencies at all levels and local communities to tackle violent crime and gun violence. The program aims to build trust, support community organizations, and strategically focus enforcement efforts.
Blackmon’s case serves as a stark reminder that federal authorities are actively targeting individuals who illegally possess firearms, particularly those with prior felony convictions. The 57-month sentence sends a clear message: attempting to circumvent gun laws will result in significant federal prison time. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana, led by Clifford D. Johnson, continues to prioritize cases involving firearms and violent crime.
Related Federal Cases
- Jason Anderson, Illegal Firearm Possession, IN 2023 · Illinois
- Jason Anderson, Illegal Firearm Possession, Michigan 2024 · Illinois
- Timothy J. Felty, Felon Firearm Possession, Indiana 2023 · Indiana
- Elkhart Felon Sentenced for Gun Possession · Indiana
- Steven Polito, Gun Possession, Indiana 2023 · Michigan
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
