HOT SPRINGS, AR – Steven D. Young, 41, of Hot Springs, will spend the next 90 months in federal prison after being sentenced yesterday for illegally possessing a firearm. Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey delivered the sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, in U.S. District Court. The case stems from a brazen incident nearly two years ago that brought police to a residential neighborhood rocked by gunfire.
On July 11, 2021, Hot Springs Police responded to reports of a drive-by shooting. Before officers could fully assess the scene, Young arrived, aggressively demanding to know who had opened fire on his property. It was then that officers spotted a .45 caliber handgun sitting in plain view on the driver’s side floorboard of his vehicle. Young was immediately taken into custody.
The weapon wasn’t just illegally in Young’s possession—it was stolen. Investigators quickly determined the handgun had been reported missing and was loaded with live ammunition. Crucially, a subsequent investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) revealed the firearm originated outside of Arkansas, meaning it had crossed state lines – a key factor in the federal charge.
As a convicted felon, Young was legally prohibited from owning or possessing any firearms. This isn’t a simple oversight; it’s a deliberate flouting of the law, and Judge Hickey clearly recognized the seriousness of the offense. The sentencing sends a message that possessing firearms while being a prohibited person carries significant consequences.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas announced the sentencing, highlighting the collaborative effort between the Hot Springs Police Department and the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Achorn successfully prosecuted the case. This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative focused on reducing violent crime and gun violence.
PSN aims to build trust between law enforcement and communities, support violence prevention programs, and strategically prioritize enforcement. The Department launched a renewed focus on PSN in May 2021, emphasizing these core principles. Court records related to this case are publicly accessible through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records website.
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