SOUTH BEND, IN – Lonnie Lewis, Jr., 22, of Michigan City, Indiana, is headed to federal prison for 78 months after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentence, handed down by South Bend District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio, also includes two years of supervised release, a stark warning that Lewis’s criminal activity won’t be easily forgotten.
The case unfolded on September 9, 2016, when Michigan City police attempted a routine traffic stop. Lewis, however, wasn’t interested in cooperating. He floored it, leading officers on a dangerous pursuit reaching speeds near 100 miles per hour. In a desperate attempt to ditch evidence, Lewis tossed a loaded handgun and an undisclosed quantity of drugs out the window of his fleeing vehicle.
The chase ended abruptly when Lewis crashed into a tree. But even after being apprehended, Lewis didn’t give up. Court documents reveal he actively tried to enlist accomplices to retrieve the discarded gun and drugs from the path of the pursuit – a clear indication of his continued disregard for the law and a further attempt to obstruct justice. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment mistake; it was calculated criminal behavior.
Lewis’s history is hardly clean. In August of 2015, he was convicted of dealing cocaine in LaPorte Superior Court, a Level 4 felony. This prior conviction is what ultimately barred him from legally possessing a firearm, turning a reckless chase into a serious federal offense. The feds don’t take kindly to repeat offenders, especially those mixing drugs and guns.
The investigation, a joint effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Michigan City Police Department, paints a picture of a man determined to operate outside the bounds of the law. Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse skillfully prosecuted the case, ensuring Lewis faced the consequences of his actions.
The 78-month sentence sends a clear message: in Northern Indiana, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon will land you a lengthy prison term. This case serves as a warning to others contemplating similar criminal activity – the risks far outweigh any potential reward. The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal cases impacting communities across the nation.
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Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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