Joshua L. Metts, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Indiana 2023

A 30-month prison sentence was handed down to Joshua L. Metts, 41, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, for being a felon in possession of a firearm in a case investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pokagon Tribal Police Department.

Metts was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, South Bend Division, on May 25, 2023.

According to court documents, on October 12, 2021, the staff at the Four Winds Casino in South Bend found a baggie of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl that Metts had dropped in the casino. The next day, Metts returned to the casino and was arrested by Pokagon Tribal Police. Tribal police searched Metts' vehicle in the parking lot and found a loaded handgun and ammunition along with a small baggie of methamphetamine, syringes, and a tablespoon with fentanyl residue.

Metts has a prior federal felony conviction out of the District of New Mexico, and as such is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

“Metts' sentence demonstrates that crimes committed on federally recognized Indian tribal land, held in trust for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, will be prosecuted,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. “The United States recognizes an obligation of service to tribal communities across the country, and it holds a strong commitment to supporting and furthering public safety on all tribal land. My Office has an important relationship with the Pokagon Band and is committed to working with them to foster public safety and the safety of its tribal citizens, while respecting the Pokagon Band's sovereignty and culture.”

Metts was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Luke N. Reilander and Jerome W. McKeever. 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.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndin/pr/new-mexico-man-sentenced-30-months-prison