GARY, IN – Milton Daniels, 35, of Gary, Indiana, is headed to federal prison for 30 months after admitting to illegally possessing a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun. Senior Judge Jon E. DeGuilio of the U.S. District Court handed down the sentence Wednesday, followed by a two-year term of supervised release. Daniels’ history as a convicted felon disqualified him from owning a firearm, a fact he apparently ignored.
The bust went down on August 5, 2022, when police moved to arrest Daniels on an outstanding warrant. The 9mm was found on his person at the time of the arrest, immediately flagging the violation. Court documents reveal Daniels previously served time for residential entry and escape – a conviction that permanently bars him from legally owning a weapon.
Federal prosecutors weren’t interested in a slap on the wrist. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Toth successfully argued for the 30-month sentence, highlighting Daniels’ disregard for the law and the potential danger he posed to the community. The case underscores the ATF’s ongoing efforts to keep guns out of the hands of those legally prohibited from having them.
The investigation wasn’t a solo effort. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) partnered with the Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force and the Gary Police Department to build the case against Daniels. The collaboration highlights a multi-agency approach to tackling gun violence in Northwest Indiana, a region battling its share of criminal activity.
U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson framed the sentencing as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods,” a Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence nationwide. The program emphasizes community trust, preventative measures, and focused enforcement – a strategy officials hope will yield long-term results beyond just arrests and convictions.
While Daniels’ sentence offers a temporary reprieve for Gary residents, the underlying issues driving gun violence remain. The Grimy Times will continue to monitor federal cases in the Northern District of Indiana, exposing the actors and patterns fueling crime in the region. This case serves as a stark reminder that possessing a firearm with a felony conviction carries significant consequences under federal law.
Related Federal Cases
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
WeaponsWeaponsWeaponsWeapons