Indianapolis man indicted in multi-jurisdictional firearm trafficking case

A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Indiana returned an indictment is charging an Indianapolis man with making false statements to purchase firearms on behalf of other people and dealing in firearms without a license.

According to court documents, over a two-month period, De’Angelo Carnell, 23, purchased 19 handguns from federally licensed gun stores in the Indianapolis area. These purchases were typically made on behalf of other people who could not legally buy guns at these stores. Carnell would then provide the firearms to these persons and accept a fee in exchange. One of the recovered handguns was confiscated in Chicago, Illinois, during a traffic stop.

Carnell is charged with 13 counts of making false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms and dealing in firearms without a license. If convicted of making false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms, he faces up to ten years’ imprisonment as to each count. If convicted of dealing in firearms without a license, he faces up to five years’ imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, and Roland H. Herndon Jr., ATF Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is investigating the case.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Jayson W. McGrath, who is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.