Queyoun Foulks-Smith, Machine Gun Possession, Indiana 2024

A South Bend federal judge handed down a harsh sentence to an Indianapolis man for his role in a shocking case of machine gun possession.

United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco sentenced 20-year-old Queyoun Foulks-Smith to 46 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to possession of a machinegun.

According to documents in the case, law enforcement found Foulks-Smith in possession of a machinegun—a stolen firearm with a loaded 50-round drum magazine and a ‘switch.’ The switch converted this firearm into an automatic firearm, allowing it to fire multiple bullets instantaneously with a single function of the trigger.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the South Bend Police Department, investigated the case.

Assistant United States Attorney Joseph P. Falvey prosecuted the case, which is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. This initiative aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by bringing together law enforcement and community organizations to make neighborhoods safer.

In a statement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said, ‘This case is part of a broader effort to address the root causes of violent crime and to hold individuals accountable for their actions.’

Foulks-Smith’s sentence serves as a warning to those who would engage in similar behavior. As the investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate, law enforcement will not tolerate the proliferation of machine guns in our communities.

Related Federal Cases