Gary man sentenced to 3 years in prison for illegal firearm possession

A Gary man with four prior felony convictions will spend three years in federal prison after police found a loaded pistol in his car during a 2024 traffic stop.

Kenneth James Talbert, 38, was sentenced Thursday, Oct. 22, to 36 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Indiana announced Friday, Oct. 23. U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon handed down the sentence after Talbert pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred announced the case.

The case began on July 24, 2024, when Gary police pulled Talbert over for a traffic violation, according to court documents cited in the announcement. Officers discovered he had an outstanding warrant from Gary City Court.

During an inventory search of the vehicle, officers found a Glock 19 9mm semi-automatic pistol loaded with a 30-round extended magazine under the driver's seat. A separate 15-round magazine was also in the vehicle.

Talbert was barred from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. His prior felony convictions include battery, theft, felon in possession of a firearm and serious violent felon in possession of a firearm.

This was not his first weapons case.

Mildred said in a statement that repeat offenders who illegally possess firearms present a direct threat to public safety. He called Talbert's actions a dangerous disregard for the law and community safety, adding that the office will continue to prosecute those who jeopardize neighborhoods.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case with assistance from the Gary Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Toth prosecuted it. The NWI Times also reported on the sentencing.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice initiative that coordinates federal, state and local law enforcement to combat violent crime. Talbert's 36-month sentence begins immediately, followed by two years under federal supervision.