HANCOCK COUNTY, Ind. -- A Greenfield man was recently sentenced after he was convicted of having a stolen handgun in a stolen vehicle in July 2024. According to a news release from the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, 43-year-old Kevin R. Gavarrete was sentenced to 14 years after he was convicted for one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a Level 4 felony. Gavarrete was convicted after a one-day jury trial and was found to be a habitual offender in a subsequent bench trial, the release said. The release said that the sentence includes 12 years in the Indiana Department of Correction and an additional two years of home detention. Police: Anderson man busted with 1,000 images of child porn, shared abuse material online The charges against Gavarrete came after a July 17, 2024 incident when an officer with the Greenfield Police Department saw a stolen vehicle at a gas station on North State Street. The release said a traffic stop revealed that Gavarrete was driving the stolen vehicle with a suspended license. A stolen firearm was also found in the vehicle. Initially, the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office sought a 20-year sentence for Gavarrete, the release said. But the 14-year sentence was imposed after arguments were heard from the State and the defense. “We respect the Court’s decision; however, we are disappointed by the outcome, as it may negatively affect the morale of local law enforcement officers who work tirelessly to investigate dangerous criminals," Brent Eaton, the prosecutor in Hancock County, said in the release. "Our office remains committed to prioritizing community safety and seeking strong sentences for repeat violent offenders. “The safety and security of our community rely on vigilant law enforcement,” Eaton continued. “We take the issue of felons with firearms very seriously. These cases have been on the rise in recent years, and we remain committed to working with law enforcement across the county to address this growing concern.”