Johnny A. Bangs, a 46-year-old resident of Lake Station, Indiana, has been sentenced to 90 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund, according to an announcement from Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.
Bangs will also serve 24 months of supervised release following his prison term.
Court documents indicate that Bangs sold cocaine on two occasions during the summer of 2023. On June 14, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his Lake Station home and recovered cocaine, drug proceeds, 43 rifles and shotguns, seven handguns, and ammunition.
The investigation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Porter County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Toth prosecuted the case.
The prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by coordinating efforts among various levels of law enforcement and community organizations. In May 2021, the Department introduced a new strategy for PSN focused on building trust within communities, supporting local organizations in violence prevention efforts, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating results.
