SOUTH BEND – Gregory Hilliard, 66 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Hilliard was sentenced to 33 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
“Gregory Hilliard is a convicted sex offender who chose to possess a handgun in violation of federal law and bring that handgun to a medical facility in violation of the facility’s clear rules. He entered the medical center in South Bend with a handgun and left it behind in a waiting room chair. Thankfully, an employee recovered the handgun after he left without anyone being hurt. The reckless way he left his loaded firearm in a vulnerable public space spoke loudly of his disdain for society and the rule of law. The Defendant has prior felony convictions for criminal deviate conduct and aggravated battery, and he was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm. Thanks to the partnership of the ATF, South Bend Police Department, Indiana State Police Laboratory Division, St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s office led by Ken Cotter, and AUSA Andrew Krumweid, this violent Defendant received a dose of incarceration and 2 years of supervised, rehabilitative release that will remove him as threat to the citizens of the Northern District of Indiana.” United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred said.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the South Bend Police Department, Indiana State Police Laboratory, and the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew A. Krumwied and former Assistant United States Attorney Hannah T Jones. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.