Joshua Jude, Armed Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Indiana 2021

A 10-year prison sentence was handed down to Joshua Jude, 34, of Indianapolis, after he pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, on December 22, 2020, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) officers arrested Jude on an outstanding escape warrant. Jude was wanted for absconding from a residential reentry center, where he was completing his sentence for a prior federal conviction of unlawfully possessing a firearm.

During a search of the apartment where Jude was located, officers recovered a .45 caliber handgun. On October 24, 2020, Jude’s ex-girlfriend reported the handgun stolen.

Also on October 24, 2020, a victim was shot in the shoulder at a gas station near 38th and Butler streets in Indianapolis. IMPD Detectives located two .45 caliber casings at the scene, which were recovered and subsequently determined to have been fired from the stolen handgun.

Detectives obtained surveillance video and observed Jude entering the gas station, removing a gun from his jacket, and handing it to another man, later identified as the shooter. Detectives later interviewed Jude, who admitted to providing the stolen firearm to the shooter.

At the time of his arrest, Jude had seven prior felony convictions in Indiana, including intimidation, battery, criminal recklessness, and possession of a controlled substance. Each of these prior felony convictions prohibit Jude from lawfully possessing a firearm.

The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II. U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela S. Domash who prosecuted this case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/armed-felon-sentenced-10-years-federal-prison-after-illegally-providing-stolen-handgun