Louisville, KY - A federal grand jury in Louisville returned a two-count indictment on May 2, 2023, charging two local men with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.
According to the indictment, John Lindsay, 35, and Rayshawn Lee, 35, both of Louisville, are each charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to the indictment, on Jan. 22, 2023, Lindsay possessed a Taurus, Model G3C, 9-millimeter pistol. Lindsay was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses. On November 4, 2016, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Lindsay was convicted of burglary in the third degree. On Nov. 28, 2017, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Lindsay was convicted of promoting contraband and tampering with physical evidence. On July 21, 2021, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Lindsay was convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (2 counts), trafficking in a controlled substance I schedule II cocaine less than four grams, wanton endangerment I (2 counts), illegal possession of a controlled substance schedule I marijuana while in possession of a firearm, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia while in possession of a firearm, intimidating a participant in the legal process, strangulation II, assault IV third or subsequent offense, and criminal mischief I.
Also, according to the indictment, on Jan. 22, 2023, Lee possessed a Kel-Tec, Model PF-9, 9-millimeter pistol. Lee was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses. On Sept. 10, 2008, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Lee was convicted of assault second degree. On Aug. 14, 2017, Lee was convicted of wanton endangerment in the second degree.
The defendants made their initial court appearance on June 28, 2023, before a U S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. Both defendants remain in federal custody. If convicted, both defendants face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is being investigated by ATF and LMPD.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Dahl is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys