Federal and local law enforcement agencies joined together Tuesday morning to announce the creation of the Hopkinsville Gun Crimes Task Force and announced indictments against four people for federal firearm charges.
U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman announced the new task force, saying it includes the ATF, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Hopkinsville Police Department, Christian County Sheriff’s Department and Commonwealth Attorney’s Office. He says the goal is to remove violent felons from Christian County for as long as the law allows.
Coleman says increased gun violence in Hopkinsville, including the shooting of Hopkinsville Police Officer Jeremy Davidson in February, is unacceptable.
Hopkinsville Police Chief Clayton Sumner says anyone who brings drugs or violence into the community will be swiftly dealt with, thanks to this partnership.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling says he intends to work closely with all agencies to help protect the families of Christian County.
The first round of indictments stemming from the task force are against 61-year old Credall Hubbard of Evansville, 20-year old Jarontae Taylor of Hopkinsville, 36-year old Tony Bowen of Hopkinsville and 25-year old Ahgeana Bailey of Cadiz. All four are charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and officials say they each have lengthy criminal histories—including Hubbard—who was previously convicted of second-degree manslaughter.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth Hancock and Leigh Ann Dycus and are being investigated by agencies in the new task force. Coleman says the indictments are part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program.