Keith A. Embry

From Local Sources

JASPER — A Ferdinand-area man was taken into custody Tuesday and later appeared in Dubois Circuit Court to answer to a warrant charging him with a Level 4 felony count of possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.

Court documents indicate the charge dates to a Nov. 25 incident in which the Dubois County Sheriff’s Department was called to the Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center emergency room in reference to a male with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the leg.

A deputy learned the wounded man, Keith A. Embry, 30, 9054 S. 100W, Ferdinand, was barred from possessing firearms after a 2012 child molestation conviction.

Embry said he was going to make a .40 caliber handgun that he wanted to sell the next day safe, according to court documents. As he went to charge the handgun’s slide, he allegedly told a deputy, his finger was in the trigger guard and the weapon discharged, hitting him in the left knee.

The investigating deputy later retrieved the handgun and three additional muzzle loaders at Embry’s residence.

A warrant for Embry’s arrest was issued Nov. 30. After a deputy took him into custody Tuesday, Embry made an initial appearance in circuit court. A preliminary plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf and his next court appearance was set for Jan. 7.

Embry had been booked into the Dubois County Security Center at 12:11 p.m. on the active warrant. He posted a $1,000 bond later in the afternoon after being told by the court a condition of his release was being ordered to not possess firearms.