FORT WAYNE- Austin L. Williams, age 33, of Fort Wayne, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady, on his plea of guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Williams was sentenced to 156 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, in July 2021, following a tip, Williams was observed by law enforcement along with multiple individuals coming and going from his apartment. In that same time period, a controlled buy of methamphetamine from Williams took place, and a handgun was observed in his proximity. In August 2021, Williams reportedly pulled a handgun during an altercation. When police arrived, they stopped Williams who had a loaded 9mm handgun under the passenger seat of his car and over 6 grams of methamphetamine on his person. Williams criminal history revealed he had a prior felony conviction for burglary. This conviction prohibited him from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of Fort Wayne police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brent Ecenbarger.