Evansville – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today that Richard Smitson, 50, of Crawford County, Indiana, was sentenced to 70 months in prison by U.S. District Chief Judge Richard L. Young following his guilty plea to two counts of possessing firearms after a felony conviction. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Indiana State Police.
Immediately before sentencing, Smitson admitted that on October 14, 2014, and on February 4, 2015, he possessed a total of 26 firearms after having been convicted of a felony. Smitson admitted negotiating an agreement to sell two firearms to an undercover police officer. After arranging a second sale, Smitson was arrested and surrendered an additional twenty-four firearms to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that he unlawfully possessed.
Smitson has been convicted on eight drug-related felonies dating back to 1993 in Crawford County.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted the case for the government, Judge Young imposed three years of supervised release following Smitson’s release from prison. Smitson must submit to drug testing and drug abuse treatment while on supervision.