A federal grand jury in Louisville has indicted Joseph Abbott, a 39-year-old local resident, on charges of illegal firearm possession and intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine. The indictment was returned on October 16, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett, U.S. Marshal Gary B. Burman, and Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department announced the charges against Abbott. According to the indictment, Abbott was found in possession of a Glock model 22 .40 caliber handgun and ammunition on September 5, 2024. Due to previous felony convictions, he is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Abbott's criminal history includes multiple convictions in Jefferson Circuit Court: trafficking in controlled substances (heroin and cocaine), tampering with physical evidence, promoting contraband, illegal possession of controlled substances (cocaine), receiving stolen property, and firearm-related offenses.
Abbott appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge this week in the Western District of Kentucky's U.S. District Court. A detention hearing is set for March 12, 2025. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison as determined by a federal district court judge based on sentencing guidelines and statutory factors.
The investigation is being conducted by the US Marshals Service with assistance from the Louisville Metro Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia P. Gomez is handling the prosecution.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities.
An indictment serves as an allegation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.