Photo: Dan Goldblatt/WFIU
Hogsett said he has been working with local law enforcement to prosecute repeat violent offenders in federal court.
US Attorney Joseph Hogsett announced at a press conference today in Bloomington that 28-year-old Brandon Criss has been indicted with unlawful possession of a firearm.
Criss is accused of shooting a “sawed off” shotgun in Goose Pond State Park and hitting a kayaker who was loading his kayak into his car.
According to Hogsett, Criss had been speaking to the kayaker prior to the shooting. Criss claimed hitting the man was an accident, but he currently faces state charges in Greene County as a result of the incident.
Criss has a prior felony convictions which made his possession of the shotgun a crime in itself.
Hogsett said at the conference that Indiana has developed a reputation where it is easy to gain possession of a weapon through illegal means.
“Mr. Criss’ case,” he said, “is a good example of what one may face by the use of a weapon when you have no legal right to have it in your possession.”
The arrest is part of the federal government’s efforts to work with local agencies to prosecute repeat offenders in federal court.
