A violent felon with a history of firearm-related crimes has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for violating federal laws.
James Charleston Jr., 36, of Evansville, Indiana, was sentenced to five years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
On August 3, 2024, Evansville Police Department officers were dispatched to Garvin Street in Evansville on reports of a distressed man waving a silver gun in the air and pointing it at people.
Upon arrival, officers found Charleston, who refused to comply with orders to get on the ground. He told the officers to shoot him multiple times, shouting "I’m willing to die right now!" and "You better get me before I get you."
Charleston was eventually detained and placed in handcuffs. During a search of his person, officers located a silver 9mm pistol in his waistband, loaded with nine rounds.
At the time of this arrest, Charleston had been previously convicted of multiple felony offenses, including two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, carrying a handgun without a license, domestic battery, strangulation, aggravated robbery, two counts of identity theft, two counts of theft, and failure to return to lawful detention.
"Illegally armed, repeat violent criminals are responsible for a disproportionate share of the gun violence suffered in Evansville and all our communities," said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Evansville Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Matthew P. Brookman.
Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Miller who prosecuted this case.
The investigation and sentencing serve as a warning to those who choose to carry firearms illegally: a serious sentence in federal prison awaits. Charleston’s five-year sentence is a testament to the determination of law enforcement to keep our communities safe.
Charleston will serve his sentence at the United States Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana.
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Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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