Sergio Adams, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Michigan 2022

MICHIGAN CITY, IN – Another thug with a gun is off the streets of Michigan City. Sergio Adams, 33, was sentenced to 52 months in federal prison this week after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. also tacked on two years of supervised release after Adams serves his time.

The bust went down in November 2021 when local cops responded to an alert and recovered a handgun traced back to Adams. It wasn’t just a gun; it was a problem for Adams because he already had a rap sheet. Turns out, he’s got three prior felony convictions – any one of which should have kept him far away from firearms. He was already on supervised release when he was caught with the weapon, adding insult to injury.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation, with a little help from the Michigan City Police Department. They dug into Adams’ history and built a solid case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank E. Schaffer handled the prosecution, securing the conviction and ultimately the 52-month sentence. The feds aren’t messing around when it comes to repeat offenders and illegal guns.

This case isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The program brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement, along with community groups, to tackle the issues at the root. The DOJ launched a revamped PSN in May 2021, focusing on building trust with communities and strategically targeting enforcement.

Adams’ sentence sends a clear message: if you’re a convicted felon and you’re caught with a firearm, you’re going to federal prison. It’s a simple equation, and the ATF is making sure the numbers add up. While 52 months isn’t a lifetime, it’s enough time to hopefully disrupt Adams’ criminal activity and make the streets of Michigan City a little bit safer. But whether it’s enough remains to be seen.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana, led by U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson, continues to prioritize cases involving illegal firearms and violent crime. They’re pushing for tougher penalties and working to keep dangerous individuals off the streets. You can find more information on their efforts at www.justice.gov/usao-ndin.

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