INDIANAPOLIS --
A collaborative effort will soon launch involving the U.S. Attorney's Office, Marion County Prosecutor's Office and Indianapolis Metro Police Department aimed at curbing violent crime in the city.
The focus of the program will be drug trafficking, tracking criminals who use guns in their activities and identifying and suppressing serial criminals, 6News' Jack Rinehart reported.
"For too many young people in this city, it's easier to get a gun than it is an education," said U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett. "That is unacceptable."
The agencies said they will work together to decide which repeat offenders should be prosecuted under federal law, which can result in tougher sentencing.
"Let there be this one warning, the one warning. To those who traffic in illegal guns and drugs, begininng today, your choices will have consequences," Hogsett said.
The U.S. Attorney's Office pledged to prosecute more gun crimes, step up the use of wiretaps and undercover operations and seek more help from local agencies to prosecute repeat offenders.
"We are tired of lip service about guns and gangs," Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry said. "We are committed to be a full-fledged partner … in taking down criminal gangs and violent felons."
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