A Gary man got eight years Friday after he was pulled over as a convicted felon twice with a gun.
Jermaine L. Watts, 32, pleaded guilty in April to two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon in two criminal cases.
He faced up to 12 years.
His lawyer Kirk Marrie said Watts was cooperative with the cop, asking Judge Salvador Vasquez for a “final chance.” He was a good person who made “bad decisions.”
Deputy Prosecutor Milana Petersen argued he had a violent past.
Watts testified he made strides to turn his life around with less partying and a good-paying job where he was promoted.
He had been shot at and threatened, and needed the weapon for safety on the street, he said.
Judge Salvador Vasquez said he had given him too many breaks over about 15 years, and he kept failing probation and returning to court.
Court records show Watts was pulled over on June 12, 2022, on Broadway and 22nd Avenue for an expired license plate. Cops found a gun.
He was also pulled over on Feb. 9 on 15th Avenue in Gary with an “unreadable” license plate. The cop also found a gun.
Watts had prior felony convictions including an October 2019 incident where he allegedly shot a neighbor in the foot after an argument.
He was sentenced to two years probation in July 2021 for criminal recklessness in that case.
mcolias@post-trib.com