United States Attorney Russell Coleman and other officials announced Tuesday morning the formation of the Hopkinsville Gun Crimes Task Force and the return of four felony indictments charging individuals with federal firearm violations.
Coleman says the task force is a partnership between the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Hopkinsville Police Department, Christian County Sheriff’s Office, and the Office of the Christian County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling.
The partnership will help to take the most violent repeat offenders off the street as a part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.
He adds often the greatest limiting factor in law enforcement is a collaboration, but that is not the case with the new task force.
ATF Louisville Assistant Special Agent in Charge Tommy Estevan says the primary mission of the task force is to reduce violent crime.
He notes thanks to current technology they are able to disrupt the shooting cycle across the Commonwealth and adds it’s instrumental in developing leads every time a gun is used in violent crime.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling adds only so much can be done on a state level and that with help from the national level, much more will be done.
Hopkinsville Police Chief Clayton Sumner assures they will do everything they can to help make the city a better place.
During the news conference held in the Hopkinsville City Council Chamber, four federal indictments were also announced against people who may be connected to violent crimes in Hopkinsville and Christian County.
Indictments returned include 20-year old Jarontae L. Taylor and 36-year old Tony D. Bowen, both of Hopkinsville; 25-year old Ahgeana Bailey, of Cadiz; and 61-year old Credall Hubbard of Evansville, IN.
Hubbard is charged in a three-count indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm: a Taurus, model PT145 Millennium Pro, .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol. He has previous felony convictions for second-degree manslaughter, previously being a felon in possession of a handgun, bank robbery and assault by the use of a deadly weapon (aiding and abetting), and possession or use of a firearm during a crime of violence, each a felony. He also faces charges of felon in possession of a firearm, a Ruger AR-556, 5.56-millimeter semiautomatic rifle and a Ruger SR40, .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol. Hubbard faces a third count 0f possession of body armor by a violent felon.
Taylor is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm: a Glock 17, 9-millimeter semiautomatic pistol. He was previously convicted of second-degree burglary.
Bowen is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm: a Glock 17, 9-millimeter semiautomatic pistol. He was previously convicted of three separate times for robbery and for aggravated assault.
Bailey is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm: an FIE Corp. Titan Tiger .38 special caliber revolver. She was previously convicted of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and first-degree bail jumping.
The indictment of a person by a Grand Jury is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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