Federal law enforcement officials in Indianapolis gathered on November 19, 2025, to discuss their continued operations during the recent 43-day government shutdown. Leaders from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, FBI Indianapolis, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) participated in a roundtable to highlight their agencies’ efforts to maintain public safety despite the lapse in government funding.
U.S. Attorney Wheeler addressed the ongoing commitment of federal employees: “No matter the circumstances, our commitment to you does not waver. We are here every day- protecting communities, upholding the rule of law, and defending the safety and rights of Hoosiers,” Wheeler said. “We extend our deepest gratitude to the men and women of the U.S. Department of Justice and our federal law enforcement partners in Indianapolis and across the district. Despite going without pay for six weeks, they continued to safeguard our communities and uphold the rule of law with unwavering commitment.”
FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy O’Malley also praised agency personnel: “I could not be prouder of the men and women of the FBI who showed up every day during the shutdown because protecting the American people isn’t something we do only when it’s convenient – it’s our mission,” O’Malley said. “Alongside our partners we continued investigations, responded to threats, and worked to keep our communities safe, even without receiving a paycheck. That’s what public service looks like.”
An ATF spokesperson emphasized their focus on violent crime: “ATF protects America’s communities by confronting violent crime driven by the illegal use of firearms, explosives and acts of arson. Our Special Agents concentrate on identifying and dismantling illegal firearms traffickers who fuel violence by arming prohibited persons, gang members, drug cartels, illegal aliens and terrorist organizations. Through advanced Crime Gun Intelligence (NIBIN, firearms tracing, and touch DNA), ATF partners with state and local law enforcement to investigate, identify, and prosecute violent offenders. At the same time, we safeguard lawful commerce and uphold the Second Amendment.”
During this period—from October 1 through November 12—the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed federal charges against 41 individuals for offenses including violent crime involving firearms (19 cases), drug trafficking (13 cases), child sexual exploitation (6 cases), and fraud (3 cases). The office also secured prison sentences for another 30 individuals across similar categories.
The Civil Division resolved allegations such as a $9.6 million health care fraud settlement under federal statutes like the False Claims Act while defending federal interests in over forty new lawsuits at both state and federal levels.
Meanwhile, prosecutors handled appeals that included convictions related to methamphetamine trafficking, child sexual abuse material possession by a molester, armed robbery at a cell phone store, smuggling by cartel members across borders, assaults committed by police officers against detainees, felons selling drugs while armed, as well as an ATM robbery involving $148,000.
These activities were conducted jointly with support from agencies such as FBI Indianapolis; ATF; DEA; U.S. Marshals Service; as well as state and local law enforcement—even during periods when staff went unpaid due to lack of appropriations.
U.S. Attorney Wheeler concluded by expressing appreciation for all personnel involved—including paralegals; victim specialists; financial investigators; prosecutors—who contributed to maintaining operations throughout southern Indiana during challenging circumstances.
