Federal prosecutors announced Thursday that a grand jury in western Kentucky has served indictments against eight people for felony gun and drug crimes.
The charges are part of a law enforcement initiative to fight gun violence.
All eight were charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, the crime carries a maximum sentence of ten years with no opportunity for parole.
One of the eight was also charged with possessing meth with the intent to distribute and carrying a gun while trafficking drugs.
"What these counts are, what these charges are, are to send a message," says Russel Coleman, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky. "We will not, federal, state, and local, will not tolerate gun violence. Not in this community."
Local law enforcement agencies partnered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms as a part of the investigation.
Coleman says there will be more indictments, as federal law enforcement promises to step up resources to combat what he calls a surge of gun violence in Owensboro.
According to the Owensboro Police Department, crimes involving guns are up. The city has seen four gun-related murders so far this year.