Four convicted felons from Indianapolis receive federal prison sentences for illegal firearm possession cases

Federal court sentences four Indianapolis men in separate firearms cases

Four Indianapolis men with prior felony records have been sentenced to federal prison after being convicted of illegally possessing firearms in unrelated cases, federal prosecutors announced. The convictions were handled as separate investigations and prosecutions, but all involved allegations that the defendants possessed guns despite being prohibited from doing so because of prior felony convictions.

The announcement identified the defendants as Christopher Martin, 33; Desmond Hess, 33; Andrew Pernell Jr., 44; and a fourth Indianapolis defendant included in the federal summary of cases. Each faced at least one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a federal offense that can carry substantial prison time depending on criminal history, the facts of the case, and sentencing guidelines.

Sentences and prior convictions outlined by prosecutors

The federal sentences described included multi-year prison terms:

• Christopher Martin received a 5-year federal prison sentence for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Prosecutors said Martin’s prior record included convictions for reckless homicide and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.
• Desmond Hess received a 5.5-year federal prison sentence after being convicted on two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Prosecutors said Hess had prior convictions that included criminal confinement and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.
• Andrew Pernell Jr. received a sentence of 4 years and 9 months for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Prosecutors said Pernell’s prior record included dealing cocaine and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.

The federal announcement described the defendants as “violent felons” and said the prison sentences removed them from the streets. The summary did not characterize the four cases as stemming from a single investigation, but rather from separate law enforcement work leading to independent prosecutions.

How federal firearms prosecutions typically work

Federal felon-in-possession cases commonly arise from traffic stops, probation or parole contacts, searches tied to other investigations, or gun recoveries during local police responses. In many prosecutions, the government’s burden focuses on proving a defendant knowingly possessed a firearm and had a prior felony conviction, along with establishing that the firearm traveled in interstate commerce—an element generally satisfied for most modern firearms.

Federal law generally prohibits firearm possession by people with felony convictions, with penalties that can increase based on prior convictions and case-specific factors.

In Indianapolis, federal prosecutors have increasingly highlighted firearms cases as part of broader efforts to reduce gun violence, often working alongside local law enforcement and federal agencies. The four sentencings announced in December 2025 reflect that continued focus on charging illegal gun possession in federal court when defendants have significant criminal histories.