Easton sentenced to 70 months after high-speed chase last Spring

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The United States District Attorney's Office announced today that 29-year-old Charlie Easton, of South Bend, was sentenced to 70 months in prison after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

According to documents in the case, in April 2023, Easton led South Bend law enforcement on a high-speed car chase as he fled from the scene of a shots fire call.

Authorities say that when Easton reached a dead end on the road, he took off on foot and trailing officers picked up a firearm that Easton dropped as he ran.

That firearm had an extended magazine and an auto sear, the latter turned the firearm into a fully automatic machinegun.

"Easton has a prior felony conviction, and as such, is prohibited from possessing the firearm in this case," the U.S. District Attorney's Office said.

Following his 70 months in prison, Easton will then have two years of supervised release.