EVANSVILLE, IN – Scott A. Stagg, 54, is headed to federal prison for 21 months after a frantic attempt to ditch a loaded 9mm pistol and a stash of drugs during a police encounter last year. The incident, which unfolded on November 16, 2021, paints a picture of a man desperately trying to avoid the consequences of his actions – and a lengthy criminal history.
According to court documents, Stagg was driving in Evansville when he spotted a police vehicle. Instead of complying, he immediately pulled over, abandoned his car, and bolted on foot, sprinting down a nearby alley. His destination? A gas station’s trash containers, where he attempted to conceal the 9mm pistol, a loaded magazine, a glass pipe with methamphetamine residue, and a small amount of the drug itself.
Law enforcement wasn’t fooled. Officers quickly located the hidden cache of contraband and apprehended Stagg. The recovery of the firearm wasn’t just a weapons violation; it was a clear escalation for a man already familiar with the inside of a jail cell. Stagg had previously been convicted in Vanderburgh County of possession of methamphetamine, dealing in a sawed-off shotgun, and – crucially – illegally possessing a firearm.
“Armed criminals pose a serious risk to our communities,” stated Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “We will continue to work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners… to protect the public and reduce gun violence.” The sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young sends a message, Myers added, that “those who continue to illegally arm themselves and ignore the law will be held accountable.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), led by Special Agent in Charge Daryl S. McCormick, spearheaded the investigation, with significant assistance from the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. Following his 21-month prison sentence, Stagg will be subject to one year of supervised release by the U.S. Probation Office, a period intended to monitor his behavior and prevent further criminal activity.
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and communities. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew B. Miller prosecuted the case. The feds are touting PSN as a long-term strategy, focusing on community trust, prevention, strategic enforcement, and measurable results – but in Evansville, it’s a convicted felon off the streets and another gun out of circulation.
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- Jason Anderson, Illegal Firearm Possession, IN 2023 · Illinois
- Jerome Stancil, Illegal Firearm Possession, FL 2023 · Florida
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