Indiana Men Plead Guilty To Conspiracy Charge In Machine Gun Scheme

The case involves Addyston's former Chief of Police.

Shutterstock photo.

(Addyston, Oh.) -  Two men have pleaded guilty for their role in a “machine gun scheme”.

Christopher Petty, 57, of Lawrenceburg, and Jonathan Marcum, 33, of Laurel, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy and making false statements, reports FOX19-NOW.

Both were charged in March, along with Dorian LaCourse, the former Chief of Police for the Addyston Police Department.

According to an indictment in March, LaCourse and the two Indiana firearms dealers exploited a law enforcement exception to the general federal ban on fully automatic machine guns.

LaCourse allegedly signed multiple letters and other official documents as Chief of Police falsely claiming to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and others that the Addyston Police Department was interested in purchasing or receiving demonstrations of machine guns.

Instead, the allegedly false statements were used to gain ATF approval for Marcum and Petty to acquire hundreds of machine guns, which they re-sold to other federally licensed firearms dealers at a profit – of which LaCourse allegedly got a portion.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of Indiana, resale profits were over $8,000 for each gun.

Marcum and Petty each face up to five years behind bars, if convicted.

LaCourse has pleaded not guilty to any charges, according to the FOX19 report.

If convicted, LaCourse faces five to 10 years in prison on each charge.

RELATED STORIES

Former Addyston Police Chief Indicted For Illegal Machine Gun Sales

Investigation Documents Shed More Light On Former Addyston Police Chief

Addyston Police Chief Resigns From Position After Being Suspended

Addyston Police Chief Suspended Without Pay

More from Local News

Events

Dearborn County Comprehensive Plan Public Workshop Planned for July 24

The event will be held on July 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Dearborn County Government Center.

Dearborn Co. 4-H, Clearinghouse Teaming to Fill the Van

Dearborn County 4-H will provide one free Indiana State Fair ticket for every 10 canned or food items donated.  

Versailles Native Wins Lions Pride 5K

The next Southeastern Indiana Racing Circuit event is July 12 in St. Leon.

IHSBCA Announces 2025 Academic All-State Team

Players from Batesville, East Central and Madison earned the honor.

On Air

Gretchen Wilson Redneck Woman - EAGLE ONLY 12:36
Shane Profitt How It Oughta Be 12:30
Midland and Mackenzie Carpenter I Wish You Would 12:28
Kenny Chesney She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy 12:24