INDIANA — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana announced this week that 11 individuals were sentenced during January and February 2026 for the illegal possession of firearms.
The sentencings are the result of 11 separate investigations targeting prohibited persons—primarily convicted felons—who were found in possession of weapons. Federal officials confirmed that a total of 23 firearms, including semiautomatic pistols, handguns, and shotguns, were confiscated during these operations.
The prosecutions were part of the Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America, a coordinated effort to reduce violent crime by strictly enforcing federal firearm laws.
“Felons who illegally arm themselves are far more likely to use those guns to hurt someone or to escalate everyday conflicts into deadly violence,” said Tom Wheeler, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “When we remove firearms from people with violent criminal histories, we are preventing future shootings, protecting families, and strengthening the safety of every neighborhood.”
Individuals Sentenced
The defendants originate from across the district, including Indianapolis, Evansville, and Jeffersonville, as well as one individual from Kentucky. The sentences ranged from two years to over 11 years in federal prison.
| Name | Origin | Sentence | Notable Prior/Concurrent Charges |
| Cornelius Cooper III, 24 | Carlisle, IN | 11 years, 8 months | Armed Robbery; Battery |
| Zachary Daniels, 32 | Indianapolis | 9 years | Resisting Law Enforcement; Drug Dealing |
| Jake Fuchs, 31 | Evansville | 6 years, 8 months | Possession of Methamphetamine |
| Darrin Powell, 56 | Evansville | 6.5 years | Aggravated Battery |
| Anthony Bricest, 23 | Jeffersonville | 5 years, 3 months | Possession of altered firearm; Battery |
| Christopher Jackson, 46 | Indianapolis | 4 years, 4 months | OWI; Criminal Confinement |
| Lanel Marvis Wimberly, 33 | Evansville | 4 years, 3 months | Domestic Battery; Robbery |
| Antonio Harrell, 27 | Evansville | 3 years, 10 months | Burglary; Theft of a Firearm |
| Samuel Paige, 40 | Indianapolis | 3 years, 4 months | Attempted Robbery |
| James Montgomery Jr., 21 | Indianapolis | 2 years, 5 months | Theft |
| Thomas Michael Kirsch, 45 | Reed, KY | Sentenced | Dealing Methamphetamine |
Collaborative Investigation
The sweep involved a massive coordination of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Investigators included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the FBI Indianapolis, the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Forest Service.
Local support was provided by the Indiana State Police, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), and the Evansville Police Department.
“These convictions send a clear message,” Wheeler added. “If you are a prohibited person and you pick up a gun, federal prison will follow.”
