South Bend Felon Sentenced to 110 Months for Gun Possession

South Bend Felon Sentenced to 110 Months for Gun Possession

SOUTH BEND – In a harsh blow to the city’s already-strained streets, James Allen, a 34-year-old South Bend native, has been sentenced to 110 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Allen was taken down by authorities in January 2023, when he was found in possession of three firearms – a loaded handgun, a loaded revolver, and an AR-style pistol with an extended magazine – along with heroin and methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Allen’s prior felony convictions, which prohibit him from possessing firearms, were the determining factor in his sentence. The convicted felon was found to be in possession of the illicit items despite these convictions.

The investigation into Allen’s activities was a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the Indiana State Police, the ISP Laboratory, the St. Joseph County Police Department, and the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katelan McKenzie Doyle and Joseph P. Falvey. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in neighborhoods across the country.

The Department of Justice’s PSN initiative was launched in 2001 with the goal of fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations, setting focused enforcement priorities, and measuring results.

Allen’s sentence marks a significant victory for law enforcement in South Bend, who have been working tirelessly to combat the city’s rising crime rates. As the city continues to grapple with the effects of gun violence and narcotics trafficking, this sentence serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in such activities.

With Allen’s sentence now finalized, the city can breathe a small sigh of relief. However, the reality remains that the streets of South Bend will continue to be plagued by the scourge of gun violence and narcotics trafficking, and it will take sustained efforts from law enforcement and community leaders to bring about meaningful change.