Hogsett Announces Ten Year Prison Term for Bloomington Resident on Gun Charges
Defendant received maximum penalty for illegal possession of firearms
INDIANAPOLIS — Joseph H. Hogsett, United States Attorney, announced today that Michael Miles, age 29, of Bloomington, has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker to the statutory maximum of ten years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. This prosecution follows an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from Monroe County law enforcement.
Judge Barker’s sentencing decision makes clear how seriously federal criminal justice treats those who endanger Hoosier communities by illegally arming themselves,
Hogsett said. By targeting habitual, life–long offenders for federal prosecution, we’re helping our law enforcement partners here in Bloomington and across the state bring a stop to the revolving door of justice.
The federal indictment alleges that on March 8, 2011, Miles was found by Bloomington law enforcement to possess the following firearms:
- • Hi Point 9mm semiautomatic handgun
- • Jennings .380 caliber semiautomatic handgun
The indictment further alleges that Miles’ criminal history contains at least four prior felony convictions since 2001, including felony theft charges from Bartholomew County in 2009.
Announced by Hogsett in March of 2011, the Violent Crime Initiative represents a comprehensive district–wide strategy to combat drug traffickers and criminals that use and carry firearms in their illegal activities through improved local collaboration and aggressive federal prosecution.
In the first nine months of operation, the VCI produced a dramatic increase in the number of gun–related charges – from 14 felony possession of a firearm charges in 2010 to 103 in 2011. Major drug trafficking indictments are up more than 100% from where they were two years ago. And drug trafficking seizures increased by more than seven–fold over 2010 numbers.
According to Assistant United States Attorney Barry D. Glickman, who is prosecuting the case for the government, Miles was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after serving his prison term. Federal sentencing rules mandate that Miles must serve a minimum of 85% of his term in prison.
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