Hogsett Announces Another Federal Indictment in Death of Terre Haute Officer Brent Long
Seventh Federal Indictment Obtained by United States Attorney’s Office
| U.S. Attorney’s Office November 02, 2011 |
TERRE HAUTE—Joseph H. Hogsett, United States Attorney, announced today the arrest and indictment of Brad Keller, a.k.a. “Pappy,” age 48, of Terre Haute, on gun charges that allegedly tie him to the firearm used in the killing of Terre Haute Police Officer Brent Long on July 11 of this year. The indictment stems from an ongoing investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, and the Terre Haute Police Department.
“Although the person responsible for killing Officer Long is dead, we will not rest in our efforts to hold accountable those whose apparent contempt for the law contributed to the tragic events of that day,” said Hogsett. “We will continue to work with federal and local authorities to investigate and prosecute any and all individuals found to have participated in criminal activity related to the shooting.”
On July 11, 2011, Officer Brent Long and his K-9 partner, Shadow, entered a Terre Haute residence while serving a warrant on Shaun Seeley for a felony probation violation. Gunfire was heard outside the residence, and after law enforcement officers entered the house, Officer Long was recovered and Seeley, dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, was identified. Officer Long passed away as a result of his injuries.
The indictment alleges that in June of 2011, “Pappy” Keller possessed the 9mm pistol believed to have been used by Shaun Seeley in killing Officer Long. Sometime that same month, it is alleged that the firearm was obtained by Scott Griffy, also convicted felon, who was indicted in August on charges relating to the sale of the weapon to Seeley shortly before the shooting. Five others have already been indicted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their alleged criminal actions in connection with the events of that day.
“These indictments should serve as a powerful warning to those who would illegally possess firearms or provide them to others in disregard of both the law and common sense,” Hogsett added. “We will find you, we will arrest you, and we will prosecute you with the full power of federal law.”
Keller faces a federal charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. A five-time felon, Keller has previously been convicted of burglary and attempted burglary in Vigo County. Keller was on probation for drug charges relating to the possession and production of methamphetamine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthias D. Onderak, who will prosecute the case for the government, said that if convicted Keller could face up to ten years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.