SOUTH BEND, IN – Michael Snyder, 35, of Francesville, Indiana, is headed to federal prison for six years after admitting to dealing meth and illegally possessing a handgun. U.S. District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. handed down the 72-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, this week.
The bust began in November 2021 when Snyder was pulled over in Mishawaka driving a stolen vehicle. Cops discovered a loaded, stolen handgun stashed under the driver’s seat. With a prior felony conviction already on his record, Snyder was legally barred from owning any firearms. That alone was enough to trigger a federal investigation.
But the gun wasn’t the full extent of Snyder’s criminal activity. An investigation that stretched into April 2022 revealed Snyder was the source of a full pound of methamphetamine distributed in Winamac, Indiana. The scope of the drug dealing operation cemented the severity of the charges against him, ultimately leading to the dual guilty pleas.
Federal prosecutors, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Gabrielse, successfully argued that Snyder’s actions posed a clear and present danger to the community. The case was a joint effort involving the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Porter County Multi-Enforcement Group, and the Mishawaka Police Department.
U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson framed the sentencing as a win for “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a federal program designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The initiative emphasizes collaboration between law enforcement at all levels and community organizations to address the root causes of crime.
The Department of Justice launched a renewed focus on PSN in May 2021, prioritizing trust-building with communities, supporting preventative programs, focusing enforcement efforts, and meticulously tracking results. Snyder’s conviction serves as a stark reminder that federal agencies are actively pursuing individuals involved in both drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession, aiming to keep Indiana streets – and the nation – safer.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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