
An Indianapolis man's string of drug and gun crimes, culminating in possession of a murder weapon, has resulted in a thirteen-year federal prison sentence followed by five years of supervised release. Marvin T. Golden Jr., 26, pled guilty to charges including two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of distribution of methamphetamine.
Details from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana outline a chilling sequence of events involving Golden. In one incident, "Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies observed Marvin Golden, Jr. sell 55 grams of methamphetamine while his children were sitting in the back seat of his car," according to a statement. This sale took place on October 26, 2022, shortly before he was caught selling more methamphetamine and fentanyl less than a week later.
The saga took a darker turn with the fatal shooting of Anthony Shelman in March 2023. After an extensive investigation, video evidence indicated that Golden and another individual followed Shelman from a strip club and were at the scene of the shooting that resulted in Shelman's death. A firearm found in Golden’s possession was later matched to the murder through forensic testing, solidifying his connection to the violent act.
"Anthony Shelman should be alive today, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and all who loved him," said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. "Marvin Goldman has repeatedly demonstrated that he is a violent, vicious criminal who has an utter disregard for the law. As we work to urgently reduce gun violence, investigation and federal prosecution of the most dangerous armed criminals is a top priority. We are grateful to our partners at ATF, ISP, and in Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, as well as our federal prosecutor, for ensuring that this measure of justice is done and this menace to our community will be off of our streets for years to come," the U.S. Attorney’s Office reported. In addition to the latest sentences, the court documents revealed that Golden was a former gang member and had a history of violent crimes dating back to his teenage years.
The multi-agency investigation included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Indiana State Police, and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department. Golden's sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon, based on evidence and enhancements for possessing the murder weapon in connection with a felony offense.