Indianapolis Felon Sentenced for Machine Gun Possession and Mail Theft

INDIANAPOLIS – A district judge handed down a near-15-year sentence for Derrick Barbour, a 28-year-old Indianapolis felon, after he was found guilty of possessing a machine gun and orchestrating a mail theft scheme valued at over $1.2 million.

In April 2024, the jury convicted Barbour, also known as Derrick Barbour, Jr., on charges including unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a machinegun, and bank fraud. The court also ordered him to pay $3,203 in restitution to his victims.

U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft emphasized the defendant’s threat to public safety: ‘This defendant posed a serious threat to public safety, not only possessing firearms as a felon but also orchestrating a scheme using stolen mail keys to steal over $1 million in checks from unsuspecting victims.’

According to court documents, police discovered a stolen vehicle at a Marion County gas station on February 10, 2023. Barbour was the sole occupant and had a Glock 9mm handgun with a machinegun conversion device, along with other firearms and several envelopes containing stolen checks from the U.S. Postal Service.

Special Agent in Charge Dennus Bishop of the USPS OIG highlighted the collaborative efforts: ‘This sentencing represents the hard work and dedication by USPS OIG Special Agents working with various law enforcement agencies to bring charges on this significant mail theft investigation.’

The investigation also yielded additional stolen checks and money orders worth over $1.2 million, some altered to pay Barbour directly.

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