John Foster, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Indiana 2016

Indianapolis man, John Foster, 48, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm. Foster, who has three prior violent felony convictions, was found with a pistol in his hand during a police pursuit on October 5, 2015, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The police were initially pursuing Foster for driving a stolen SUV near the intersection of Southport Road and South Meridian Street. After a short pursuit, Foster was stopped in the parking lot of Perry Meridian Middle School, where school was in session and several children were present. The school was placed on lockdown until the incident was over.

Foster cannot legally possess a firearm due to his prior convictions, which include dealing cocaine in 2006, burglary in 1988, and robbery in 1986, all in Marion County.

The Armed Career Criminal Act mandates a minimum 15-year sentence for anyone possessing a firearm after three prior convictions for serious drug offenses or violent felonies.

According to the U.S. Attorney, Josh J. Minkler, the sentence sends a clear message that those who illegally possess firearms will be held accountable. 'The narrative is simple; if you illegally possess a firearm and terrorize Hoosier neighborhoods, you will be arrested, held without bond, convicted, and sent to federal prison,' Minkler said.

Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey D. Preston, who prosecuted the case, stated that Foster must serve three years of supervised release following his sentence. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/indianapolis-man-sentenced-15-years-imprisonment-unlawful-possession-firearm