Indianapolis – On February 1, 2018, detectives with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Gang Unit, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Gang Unit, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, seized multiple weapons while conducting a compliance check in partnership with Marion County Probation Officers.
Detectives and officers went to the home of Johnny Byers III, 28, who was on probation for Attempted Murder out of St. Joseph County. While conducting their investigation, law enforcement established probable cause for a search warrant. After being granted a search warrant, detectives and officers recovered suspected heroin, narcotic paraphernalia, and three handguns.
Johnny Byers III was preliminarily charged with as a Serious Violent Felon in Possession of a Gun and narcotics-related charges. This investigation is ongoing, and Byers could face additional federal charges.
The IMPD recently announced the Indianapolis Gun Intelligence and Investigation Initiative which focuses law enforcement efforts on those illegally possessing guns and those using guns in the commission of their crimes. IMPD along with our local, state, and federal partners are committed to reducing violence, taking guns out of the hands of violent actors, and holding them accountable for their actions.
Probation and parole visits will continue and are focused on those specific persons who have a potential to commit violence. The Indianapolis Violence Reduction Partnership (IVRP) which has shown success in a short period, is helping direct law enforcement efforts in our city.
IRVP is a policing program that targets high-risk chronic offenders in order to reduce gun violence in Indianapolis, Indiana. Which include individuals illegally possessing a firearm or those using a firearm in the commission of their crime which face the possibility of increased penalties, including federal prosecution. We encourage individuals involved in violent crime to seek services from the countless social services providers who can help them make a change in their life. This collaborative effort is accomplished with local and federal law enforcement, community, businesses, medical services and faith-based organizations.
