INDIANAPOLIS — Two Indianapolis men are facing federal criminal charges as a result of a multi-agency partnership to increase federal prosecutions of individuals who illegally possess firearms.

Federal authorities are crediting work done by the Crime Gun Intelligence Center with a pair of arrests on federal gun and drug charges.

"It is a top priority of my office and federal law enforcement to work with state and local law enforcement to identify, investigate and eliminate those who are infecting our community with drugs, illegally possessing guns and perpetuating violence," U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler said. "Through the outstanding work by the officers at CGIC, that is exactly what happened in these two cases."

In the first case, officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department conducted a traffic stop Feb. 5 on Interstate 65 in Marion County. During the stop, officers detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana and during a search found suspected marijuana, a large amount of cash, a loaded semi-automatic handgun and ammunition.

The driver was identified as Donald Rudolph, 22, of Indianapolis. The U.S. Attorney's Office said Rudolph had active warrants out of Marion County for drug violations and out of Hamilton County for probation violation. Rudolph is in federal custody and is charged with possession of a firearm by fugitive from justice and possession of a firearm by unlawful user of controlled substance. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted.

In the second case, officers with the CGIC were conducting surveillance Feb. 13 on a house they were about to serve a search warrant on. Officers saw the target of the investigation, Dorian Hayden, 24, of Indianapolis, leave the residence with another man, get into a car and drive away.

Officers initiated a traffic stop as Hayden has a suspended driver's license. Officers found two guns — one in Hayden's waistband and a second in his pants pocket. Officers then returned to the house and executed the search warrant. During the search, officers found approximately 3.5 pounds of suspected methamphetamine, several ounces of suspected heroin, several pills, several grams of suspected marijuana, digital scales, a currency counter, $38,000 in cash and another semiautomatic handgun.

IMPD arrested Hayden for dealing in a narcotic, possession of a narcotic, dealing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, dealing in marijuana and possession of marijuana.

Hayden is in federal custody and is charged in federal court with possession with intent to distribute controlled substance. Hayden faces up to life in federal prison if convicted.