INDIANAPOLIS, IND. (WOWO) Four violent felons have been sentenced to federal prison following convictions for illegal firearm possession in central Indiana.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana announced Tuesday that four repeat offenders were sentenced in separate cases involving unlawful possession of firearms by convicted felons. One defendant, described as a career burglar, received a 15-year federal prison sentence after being found armed during an arrest in Indianapolis.

According to the Department of Justice, the cases stemmed from coordinated investigations involving the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Fishers Police Department, and Carmel Police Department.

U.S. Attorney Tom Wheeler said the defendants were identified as part of a federal violent crime reduction strategy aimed at removing armed repeat offenders from the community. Prosecutors stated the individuals were prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions.

Federal officials say similar joint enforcement efforts will continue across the Southern District of Indiana as part of ongoing public safety initiatives.