Anderson man sentenced to federal prison for firearm possession

IL file photo

An Anderson man was sentenced to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being in possession of a firearm during a drunk driving crash.

Jonathon Jerald Ashley Jr., 30, will serve an additional three years of supervised release for the crime, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Indiana’s Southern District.

In October 2023, the Anderson Police Department responded to a crash involving Ashley, who was found heavily intoxicated at the scene, according to the U.S. District Court for Southern Indiana.

During a search of Ashley’s person, police found a loaded handgun in his pocket.

At the time of his arrest, Ashley had been convicted of domestic battery, resisting law enforcement, invasion of privacy, dealing in a narcotic drug, and pointing a firearm.

His felony convictions mean he cannot legally possess a firearm.

“This defendant has repeatedly demonstrated his utter disregard for the law or the safety of others, including those closest to him,” said John Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the district. “Many illegally armed perpetrators of gun violence in the home and in the community have a prior history of domestic violence. That’s why our office is working together with the FBI, through the LEATH initiative, to protect the public from these offenders and save lives.”

Ashley’s case was brought as part of the LEATH Initiative, which focuses law enforcement resources on investigating domestic violence cases in honor of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Office Breann Leath, who was killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call in April 2020.

This dangerous combination of impaired driving and illegal possession of a firearm had the potential to lead to devastating consequences and this sentence underscores the seriousness of the defendant’s actions,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert Stapleton.