Northern District of Indiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Mexican National Sentenced for Felony Reentry of a Removed AlienRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Jose Zapata-Ramirez, 35 years old, of Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to felony reentry of a removed alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Zapata-Ramirez was sentenced to time served of approximately four months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release which would take effect should Zapata-Ramirez remain in, or return to, the United States within that period following anticipated removal proceedings.
“Zapata-Ramirez was stopped by the Porter Police Department for committing a traffic violation with a fictitious Texas license plate affixed to the back of his vehicle. An investigation revealed that he was an illegal alien who was previously deported in April 2014. By his own admission, he returned to the United States in 2022 without inspection by an immigration officer. He clearly has no respect for our nation’s laws, borders, or sovereignty. Once he is released, Zapata-Ramirez must return to his home country and not return to the United States illegally. Thanks to the combined efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the Porter Police Department, and Assistant United States Attorney Steven J. Lupa, this defendant has been held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Mildred.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Porter Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven Lupa.
South Bend Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Prison for Controlled Substance OffenseRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Keith Jennings, 51 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.
Jennings was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.
“A drug dealer meant to profit from unleashing nearly 5 pounds of methamphetamine into our community, but a drug canine ruined his plans. On September 15, 2025, law enforcement performed a traffic stop on a truck Keith Jennings was driving. During the stop, a drug K9 alerted on the vehicle. Officers searched the truck and found approximately 2,128.5 grams of methamphetamine in the backseat area. Thanks to the collaboration of the Drug Enforcement Administration, including the DEA Merrillville District Office, DEA Chicago Special Response Team, DEA Detroit Special Response Team, DEA St. Louis Special Response Team, and DEA North Central Laboratory; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the United States Postal Inspection Service; the Indiana State Police; the South Bend Police Department; St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office; Mishawaka Police Department; the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office led by Ken Cotter; and Assistant United States Attorneys Lydia T. Lucius and Joel Gabrielse, the Defendant has been sent to prison for fifteen years, the drugs have been intercepted, and our state and nation is safer,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
“A nearly five-pound seizure of methamphetamine is more than just a statistic; it represents thousands of potential deadly doses that will not make it onto the streets of north central Indiana. The arrest and prosecution of Mr. Jennings highlight the strength of our law enforcement partnerships and the resolve we share in confronting those who traffic dangerous drugs into our communities. The Drug Enforcement Administration and its partners are committed to identifying drug traffickers, disrupting their operations, and holding them accountable,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chip Cooke.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Indianapolis comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF, IRS, Indiana State Police, and other partners, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Mexican National Sentenced to 6 months in Prison for Immigration OffenseRead the Press Release
HAMMOND - Horacio Alarcon-Roldan, 32 years old, of Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to felony reentry of removed alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Alarcon-Roldan was sentenced to 6 months in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The supervised release term would go into effect should the Defendant remain in, or return to, the United States within that period following expected removal proceedings.
According to documents in the case, Alarcon-Roldan has a prior misdemeanor conviction for illegal entry without inspection in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico.
“The Defendant was previously removed from the United States in May 2013 and showed that he did not believe our nations laws applied to him. He was wrong. Once he is released, the Defendant needs to return home and not violate our nation’s borders again illegally. Thanks to the combined efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District Transit Police, and Assistant United States Attorney Emily Morgan, the Defendant has been held accountable,” said US Attorney, Adam Mildred.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District Transit Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily Morgan.
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South Bend Man Sentenced to 135 Months in Prison for Controlled Substance OffenseRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – De’Angelo Alexander, 28 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Alexander was sentenced to 135 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
“The Defendant acted as a drug wholesaler of the most dangerous drugs and guns on the streets of our Indiana communities. The amount of dangerous drugs he distributed endangered hundreds of Hoosiers and made our neighborhoods less safe. Alexander sold 77 grams of pure methamphetamine to another person. On other occasions he sold 416 grams and 445 grams of pure methamphetamine to different people. Investigators then obtained a federal search warrant for Alexander’s home and recovered an additional 119 grams of methamphetamine. Spending over eleven years in federal prison will remove this continual threat from our streets and give him much needed time to reprioritize his life decisions. Thanks to the strong partnerships and efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the South Bend Police Department, and the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office, our streets are safer, and our communities are stronger,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Local law enforcement partnerships with the South Bend Police Department and the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office were instrumental in the success of this case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
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Mexican National Sentenced to 8 Months in Prison for Felony Illegal Reentry of a Removed AlienRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Hector Manuel Retana-Garcia, 29 years old, of Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to felony Reentry of a Removed Alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Retana-Garcia was sentenced to 8 months in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release. Because he has no legal status in the United States, Retana-Garcia will be subject to a separate and immediate removal process upon his release from prison. The supervised release term will go into effect if Retana-Garcia remains in, or returns to, the United States within that period.
“The Defendant was a member of the Sureños 13 – a violent organization with ties to the Mexican Mafia prison gang – and he has the tattoos to prove it,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
“He was previously convicted of two felony counts in North Carolina, and ICE removed him from the country after he served time in prison for those offenses. Instead of staying home in Mexico, he came back to the United States illegally. The Defendant has repeatedly violated our Nation’s borders, laws and sovereignty. This successful prosecution highlights the critical partnership between local and federal law enforcement and serves as a firm warning to violent offenders who violate U.S. immigration law,” Mildred said.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Francis Sohn.
Mexican National Sentenced to 8 Months in Prison for Assaulting a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Santos Duron Cisneros, 36 years old, of Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to assault of a federal officer, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Duron Cisneros was sentenced to 8 months in prison.
“An violent illegal alien who assaulted a federal officer was sent to prison for his inexcusable acts. Duron Cisneros violated our nation’s borders, laws, and sovereignty when he entered the United States illegally and doubled down when he assaulted an ICE ERO officer. In February 2026, a federal officer with Immigration Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO) was transporting Duron Cisneros and two other individuals in a vehicle. During the transport, Duron Cisneros became combative, verbally abusive, and physically assaulted another person in the car. Duron Cisneros then resisted the federal officer’s attempts to intervene. He kicked at the officer and made contact with the officer’s hands as the officer deflected the kick. Duron Cisneros also tried to headbutt the officer. Thanks to the efforts of the Homeland Security Investigations and Immigration Customs Enforcement, and Assistant United States Attorneys Lydia T. Lucius and Teresa L. Ashcraft, the Defendant has been held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
This case is part of the nationwide National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 initiative, which is a White House directed, interagency effort to integrate federal, state, and local partners in protecting First Amendment rights while targeting individuals and organizations engaged in political violence and is led by the investigative and prosecutorial Joint Task Force Vanguard.
Mexican National Sentenced for Felony Reentry of Removed Alien for Immigration OffenseRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Miguel Rodriguez-Ezquivel, 39 years old, of Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to felony reentry of removed alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon sentenced the Defendant to time served followed by 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 Special Assessment. The supervised release term will go into effect if Rodriguez-Ezquivel remains in, or returns to, the United States within that period following expected removal proceedings.
“The Defendant has been deported previously in June 2012 and clearly did not respect our nation’s laws, borders, or her sovereignty then or when he illegally returned. Once he is released, the Defendant needs to return to his home country and not return again to the United States illegally. Thanks to the combined efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and Assistant United States Attorney Nadia Wardrip, the Defendant has been held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
Illinois Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison for Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Shaquille Strauther, 33 years old, of Sauk Village, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Strauther was sentenced to 37 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release.
“A convicted felon and parolee will spend the next three years in prison after being caught with a stolen gun. On February 26, 2026, Shaquille Strauther illegally possessed a loaded .45 caliber, semi-automatic pistol in his waist during a traffic stop in Schererville, Indiana. At the time he possessed the firearm, which had previously been reported stolen, Strauther was on parole following a prior felony conviction for home invasion with a firearm. Thanks to the efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, the case was able to be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean R. Lanter. The Defendant has been incarcerated, the gun was recovered, and our community and nation is safer,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 150 Months in Prison for Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Antonio Kelly, 43 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Kelly was sentenced to 150 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.
“A convicted felon chose to possess a firearm on October 13th, 2024, and will spend 12 and a half years in prison and 3 years on supervised release as a result of his choices. The Defendant’s criminal history included felonies for Resisting Law Enforcement and Possession of Methamphetamine. Thanks to the cooperation of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Fort Wayne Police Department, the case was brought by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods,” said United States Attorney Adam Mildred.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Mexican National Sentenced to 12 Months and 1 Day in Prison for Forcibly Assaulting a Federal Officer During an Immigration Enforcement ActionRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Rosario Carrillo Lopez, 54 years old, a Mexican national, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Carrillo Lopez was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $3,809.33 in restitution for damage he caused to a government vehicle. Because he has no legal status in the United States, Carrillo Lopez will be subject to a separate and immediate removal process upon his release from prison.
“An illegal alien will serve a year in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer. He will then be subject to an independent, immediate removal process upon his release from prison. He was also ordered to pay $3,809.33 in restitution for damage he caused to a government vehicle. To be clear, there is zero tolerance for those who forcibly assault or impede federal law enforcement. Carrillo Lopez is a Mexico national who chose to enter the United States illegally. When ICE caught up with him and attempted to make an arrest, Carrillo Lopez stepped on the gas pedal and dangerously fled through a residential area. Through his reckless actions, Carrillo Lopez jeopardized the safety of law enforcement officers who are sworn to uphold our laws and protect the public. He also endangered the lives and safety of innocent bystanders who were simply going about their day—drivers, pedestrians, and schoolchildren—all so he could evade arrest. And later, he doubled down and put his own family in harm’s way, allowing them to physically confront agents while he bolted out the back door to escape a federal arrest warrant. Carrillo Lopez should consider himself lucky that a tragedy was avoided due to the disciplined and measured response by federal law enforcement agents. The Defendant chose to violate our nation’s laws, borders, and sovereignty, and then committed additional high risk felonies to evade capture with no care for the harm that might result. Thanks to the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the United States Marshals Service and Assistant United States Attorney Steven J. Lupa, the Defendant has been held accountable for his deliberate, selfish choices,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
“Violence against federal law enforcement is a serious crime that places agents and the public at risk,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. “HSI Special Agents and Task Force Officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect our communities from violent crime. HSI is grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their commitment to ensuring accountability in this case.”
“The U.S. Marshals Service remains steadfast in its partnership with Homeland Security Investigations to remove dangerous criminals and undocumented offenders from our streets,” said United States Marshal Todd L. Nukes. “Through coordinated efforts, this subject was safely subdued and will not pose any future risk to our communities. We will continue these efforts for the safety and security of all residents.”
According to documents in the case, on October 13, 2025, deportation officers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) stopped Carrillo Lopez’s vehicle to conduct an immigration enforcement action. Upon learning the officers were with ICE, Carrillo Lopez sped away and led them on a high-speed chase through the streets of Gary, in the middle of rush hour on a Monday morning. As he fled, Carrillo Lopez drove over a curb, along a sidewalk, and through a cardboard sign. He also used his vehicle to strike one of the officer’s vehicles, causing damage to the front passenger’s side bumper and wheel well.
Based on this criminal conduct, federal agents obtained a warrant for Carrillo Lopez’s arrest. Ten days later, on October 23, 2025, agents with Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Marshals Service went to Defendant’s house to arrest him. After their attempts to coax Carrillo Lopez out of the house failed, agents made the decision to breach the front door. Once inside the house, the agents faced physical resistance from Carrillo Lopez’s family, while Carrillo Lopez ran out the back door and jumped onto the roof.
The agents eventually located Carrillo Lopez and took him into custody. Carrillo Lopez spoke to agents following his arrest, after being advised of his Miranda rights. Explaining his decision to flee, Carrillo Lopez said he needed to “hide” and that “if I go easy, you’re gonna take me.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with valuable assistance provided by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the United States Marshals Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven J. Lupa.
Marion Man Sentenced to 132 Months in Prison for Attempting to Possess with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Douglas Hillsamer, 44 years old, of Marion, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to attempting to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Hillsamer was sentenced to 132 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
“A drug dealer intended to profit from distributing nearly 3 pounds of almost 100% pure methamphetamine and earned 11 years in prison and 5 years of supervised release instead. The Defendant was to receive a shipment of methamphetamine in the mail from Fresno, California when it was intercepted by the United States Postal Service. Inside the package were three plastic bags containing almost 100% pure methamphetamine with a pure substance weight of 1,317.83 grams. The Defendant admitted to investigators that the methamphetamine was destined for him, and that he planned to unleash that poison on our communities. He was no rookie, having prior felony convictions for possession of methamphetamine and invasion of privacy. Thanks to the partnership of the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Indiana State Police and Assistant United States Attorneys Teresa L. Ashcraft and Justin C. Sheridan, the Defendant is behind bars, the drugs have been removed from our community, and the nation is safer,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
"The U.S. Postal Service is a trusted service, not a pipeline for dangerous drugs," said Felicia George, Inspector in Charge for U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Detroit Division. "Postal inspectors are committed to identifying and disrupting drug trafficking networks that exploit the mail to distribute illegal narcotics. This sentence highlights the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies working together to protect our communities and hold offenders accountable."
A photograph of the intercepted methamphetamine taken by law enforcement attached.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Indiana State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Teresa L. Ashcraft and Justin C. Sheridan.
Columbia City Man Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison and 120 Months Supervised Release for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Derek Gaff, 45 years old, of Columbia City, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to Possession of Child Pornography, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Gaff was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. Gaff was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,000.00, however further restitution will be determined at a later date.
“A recidivist Defendant possessed child pornography between September 2023 and April 2025. The Defendant had previously been convicted of Possession of Child Pornography in Whitley County. The Defendant has traded the next ten years in prison for his choice to possess these deplorable materials and will be supervised for an additional ten years when he gets out to protect the children in our community. Offenders who possess CSAM take their delight in the victimization and violation of children and that is nothing short of evil. They also contribute to the perpetual victimization of the innocent so long as it is in circulation, whether or not the Offenders participate in it themselves. Thanks to the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Indiana State Police and the Whitley County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the Whitley County Prosecutor’s Office led by D.J. Sigler, the case was able to be prosecuted by Lesley J. Miller Lowery as part of Project Safe Childhood. Our children are safer with him behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Northern District of Indiana U.S. Attorney’s Office Supports Community Events During National Night OutRead the Press Release
HAMMOND, SOUTH BEND, FORT WAYNE - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana supports and encourages community organizers, neighbors, and law enforcement partners to participate in National Night Out events on August 4, 2026, in each of the branches in Northwest Indiana, South Bend and Fort Wayne.
“National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country. We are proud to support those leaders who are committed to helping make our communities a safer place to live, work, and play,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the United States Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.
“Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Below is a list of National Night Out Events happening today in the Northern District of Indiana all hosted by local participating law enforcement agencies.
Scheduled Events:
- NATW’s National Night Out at the Pavilion
Wolf Lake Memorial Park
2324 Calumet Ave. Hammond, IN 46320
4:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. CST
- St. Joseph County Police National Night Out
Memorial Park
302 W Michigan St, New Carlisle, IN 46552
5:30 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. EST
- South Bend Police Department National Night Out
701 W. Sample Street, South Bend, IN 46601
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. EST
- Fort Wayne Police Department National Night Out
Memorial Park
2301 Maumee Ave. Fort Wayne, IN 46803
5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.
For more information, visit https://natw.org/.
Illinois Man and Indiana Woman Sentenced Respectively to 70 Months and 16 Months in Prison for Selling Unapproved Drugs in Interstate CommerceRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Matthew J. Kawa, 48 years old, of Grant Park, Illinois, and his sister Jennifer L. Stechkober, 32 years old, of Michigan City, Indiana, were sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to introducing unapproved new drugs into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud and mislead, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred. Additionally, Kawa pled guilty to illegally importing merchandise into the United States.
Kawa was sentenced to 70 months of prison followed by 1 year of supervised release. Stechkober was sentenced to 16 months of prison followed by 1 year of supervised release. Both defendants were ordered to pay $78,317.52 in restitution. The Court also entered a money judgment against Kawa in the amount of $5 million.
“The owner of Paradigm Peptides and his accomplice have been held accountable, sentenced to prison, and ordered to pay restitution to the identified victims. He and his accomplice lied to the world at large saying their company was legitimate; their products were safe, pure, tested, and manufactured in the United States; and that they were approved by the FDA. They were all lies. What’s worse is that the two defendants fleeced an estimated 54,000 people out of over 5 million dollars, in total, and acted with callous disregard for the truth and the significant harm that could and, in some cases, was inflicted on those customers. These customers trusted them and consumed the products in the hope of improving their health or physique and instead were poisoned with known and unknown substances that were illegally imported from China, India, and other countries. Hopefully this outcome will deter bad actors who would try to make quick, easy money selling unregulated and untested products in interstate commerce. Thanks to the extensive efforts by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, Assistant United States Attorney Luke N. Reilander and with cooperation of brave victims and witnesses, the Defendants have been held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
“The Defendant operated a business called Paradigm Peptides that marketed products online. Through his website, the Defendant and his sister/accomplice illegally sold peptides, Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (“SARMs”), Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (“HCG”), and other drugs for human consumption without approval from the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). He then shipped his products to customers through the mail. On the business website and in representations to customers by email, the Defendant and his employees falsely said that his business was licensed and registered with the FDA, that the business manufactured its products at its own laboratories in the United States, that it tested its products to ensure the highest quality, and that its products were safe and of pharmaceutical quality. In reality, the Defendant imported the products from Asia, including China and India, and he did not test the products for quality before selling them to customers. It was later determined that many of the SARMs sold by Paradigm Peptides were actually testosterone and not the SARM listed on the product’s label. Stechkober worked in the business’s location in Michigan City, Indiana, where they packaged and shipped products to customers,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
“Kawa continued to sell these products online despite receiving letters in 2020 and 2022 from the FDA warning him that he was marketing and selling unapproved drugs in violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. From 2019 to 2024, he sold products to more than 54,000 customers in each of the 50 United States and throughout more than 80 countries worldwide. Kawa derived $5 million in proceeds from the illegal sales. Several customers, including those who ingested testosterone mislabeled as SARMs, reported severe negative effects on their physical, psychological, and mental health after using the products. In particular, customers reported skin irritation and chronic acne; drops in natural testosterone requiring testosterone replacement therapy; cardiac health issues; and stress, anxiety, and other psychological issues up to suicidal ideation,” U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred said.
“The FDA’s requirements help ensure that individuals receive safe and effective drugs. Evading the FDA process and distributing unapproved drugs to consumers poses a serious risk to public health and safety,” said Special Agent in Charge Ronne Malham, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Chicago Field Office. “FDA will continue to investigate and hold accountable those who traffic in unapproved drugs.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is dedicated to defending the nation’s mail system from criminal activity, preserving the integrity of the U.S. Mail, and protecting the United States Postal Service employees,” said Inspector in Charge Felicia B. George, United States Postal Inspection Service, Detroit Division. “The public has a right to expect the U.S. Mail and its contents to be safe, and Mr. Kawa and Ms. Stechkober eroded that trust by distributing unsafe and dangerous substances through the United States Postal Service. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service works tirelessly with our Local, State, and Federal law enforcement partners to protect the public from dangerous substances.”
This case was investigated by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke N. Reilander.
South Bend Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Possession of a MachinegunRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Jakari K. Lawson, 20 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty to a term of 24 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release after pleading guilty to illegal possession of a machinegun, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
“The Defendant chose to possess a machine gun while driving around South Bend and will have two years to think through those choices, thanks to the coalition of local, state, and federal law enforcement through Project Safe Neighborhoods and Operation Take Back America. South Bend Police pulled over a car driven by the Defendant and found two guns, one sitting in his lap and the other placed next to his right leg and the center console of the car. The gun in his lap had a “switch” attached, which enabled the gun to fire in a fully automatic fashion, firing multiple rounds with one function of the trigger. The gun was loaded with an extended magazine holding 19 rounds of ammunition with one round loaded in the chamber. Thanks to the intervention of the South Bend Police Department, investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and assistance from the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office led by Ken Cotter, the case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke N. Reilander. Our community and streets are safer due to their collaborative efforts,” U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred said.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
South Bend Man Sentenced to 228 Months in Prison for Controlled Substance and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND - DeCarlos Christopher Smallwood, 29 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
Smallwood was sentenced to 228 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
“An armed drug dealer possessed nearly a pound and a half of pure methamphetamine intending to profit from unleashing that poison in our community. He will spend the next nineteen years in prison and will be supervised for five years once he is released. He is no stranger to the system as he has convictions for perjury and a prior federal felony conviction for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, which prohibited him from lawfully possessing firearms. On November 6, 2025, law enforcement executed search warrants on Smallwood’s home and a vehicle on the property. Officers found approximately 669 grams of pure methamphetamine and a loaded Ruger firearm. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, including the DEA Merrillville District Office, DEA Chicago Special Response Team, DEA Detroit Special Response Team, DEA St. Louis Special Response Team, and DEA North Central Laboratory; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the United States Postal Inspection Service; the Indiana State Police; the South Bend Police Department; the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office; the Mishawaka Police Department; and the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office led by Ken Cotter, the case was brought and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius. Our community and nation are safer because of their partnership as part of the Homeland Security Task Force and Project Safe Neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
“There is no room in north central Indiana for violent drug dealers, let alone for those with prior felony convictions. Mr. Smallwood will soon depart our community for a long, 19 year stay at a federal correctional institution. While there, he can contemplate the pain and suffering he brought to fellow Hoosiers; and hopefully he will work towards being a productive member of society upon his return. In the meantime, the Drug Enforcement Administration, its law enforcement partners, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to investigate and hold accountable those who traffic drugs and bring violence to our cherished northern Indiana,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chip Cooke.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, including the DEA Merrillville District Office, DEA Chicago Special Response Team, DEA Detroit Special Response Team, DEA St. Louis Special Response Team, and DEA North Central Laboratory, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Indiana State Police, South Bend Police Department, St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office, Mishawaka Police Department, and the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Indianapolis comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF, IRS, Indiana State Police, and other partners, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Bringhurst Man Sentenced to 36 Months in Prison for CyberstalkingRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Caleb Bonnell, 20 years old, of Bringhurst, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to cyberstalking, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Bonnell was sentenced to 36 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
“The Defendant terrorized the victim and the victim’s family member using cyberstalking and swatting, which are abuses of human beings through the use of technology. The Defendant will spend some time in jail to think about his vicious choices. From September 2025 through December 2025, the Defendant used various electronic devices to harass and intimidate the victim and the victim’s family member. The Defendant sent hundreds of unwanted text messages, emailed the victim’s school several times, sent over seventy social media messages to the victim’s classmates, and made a threatening statement about the victim on an online application. The Defendant also “swatted” the victim’s residence by making false reports to law enforcement, which caused officers to dispatch to the victim’s home. Technology has the potential greatly serve the public and improve our lives. Here, the Defendant used it for deplorable means and has been punished for it thanks to the combined efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Caroll County Police Department and the San Diego Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius, and we are safer for their combined efforts,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
"Technology has made it easier for criminals to target victims, but it has not changed the serious consequences of these crimes," said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O'Malley. "Cyberstalking and swatting are dangerous offenses that can terrorize victims, strain public safety resources, and place both innocent people and responding officers at unnecessary risk. The FBI is committed to investigating these crimes and ensuring those who use the internet to threaten or intimidate others are brought to justice."
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Caroll County Police Department and the San Diego Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius.
Seventh Honduran National Sentenced to Prison for His Role in a Bank Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
HAMMOND –On July 23, 2026, Milson Canelas Maradiaga, 29 years old, of Honduras, is the latest Honduran national to be sentenced to prison for his role in an expansive bank fraud conspiracy resulting in significant losses to small businesses and community banks in more than a dozen states, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Canelas Maradiaga was sentenced to 27 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. He was also ordered to pay $533,043 in restitution to the victims of his crimes. The sentence was imposed by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon at a hearing held on July 23, 2026.
“Milson Canelas Maradiaga will spend 27 months in prison because he and his co-conspirators used fake identification cards to cash 169 fraudulent paychecks totaling $233,569 at three branches of the same bank in the Northern District of Indiana on January 11, 2023. The fraudulent paychecks were designed to look like they had been issued by a company that operates dairy farms in the Northern District of Indiana. Almost six months later, on June 23, 2023, Canelas Maradiaga and his co-conspirators used fake identification cards to cash 178 fraudulent paychecks totaling $299,474 at five branches of the same bank and three check cashing businesses in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The fraudulent paychecks were designed to look like they had been issued by a building materials supply company in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. As he has no legal no legal status within the United States, he will be subject to a separate and immediate removal process upon release from prison. Thanks to the combined efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the Indiana State Police, with valuable assistance provided by the Benton County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Department, the Benton County (Indiana) Prosecutor’s Office, the Poteau (Oklahoma) Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Travis County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office, the Houston (Texas) Police Department, the Nebraska State Police, and the Stanton County (Nebraska) Sheriff’s Office, the case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven J. Lupa from the Northern District of Indiana and Assistant United States Attorneys Kara Traster and Jordan Howanitz from the Eastern District of Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Mildred.
“Criminal organizations that use stolen or fraudulent identities to target community banks and local businesses undermine the integrity of our financial system and harm hardworking victims,” said Homeland Security Investigations Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. “This sentencing demonstrates HSI’s commitment to aggressively investigating financial fraud crimes and ensuring consequences for the perpetrators. We are grateful for the outstanding partnership among the agencies and prosecutors whose coordinated efforts helped dismantle this scheme.”
Six co-conspirators were previously sentenced to prison for their roles in this scheme: Luis Banegas Rodriguez (27 months), Ricardo Castro Murillo (37 months), Carlos Aquino Sosa (41 months), Edwin Palacios Sosa (27 months), Delvin Velasquez Romero (time served of approximately 17 months), and Rosalio Pena Sandres (33 months).
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the Indiana State Police, with valuable assistance provided by the Benton County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Department, the Benton County (Indiana) Prosecutor’s Office, the Poteau (Oklahoma) Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Travis County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office, the Houston (Texas) Police Department, the Nebraska State Police, and the Stanton County (Nebraska) Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven J. Lupa from the Northern District of Indiana and Assistant United States Attorneys Kara Traster and Jordan Howanitz from the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Indianapolis comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF, IRS, Indiana State Police, and other partners, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.
Hammond Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Possessing a Firearm as an Illegal AlienRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Israel Castro, 37 years old, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm as an illegal alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
“An armed illegal alien will serve two years in jail followed by a year of supervised release after yet again violating our nation’s borders, laws, and sovereignty and being in possession of a firearm. On February 2, 2025, law enforcement responded to a report of gunshots fired at a residence on Cardinal Drive in East Chicago, Indiana, involving a white transit van. A witness identified Israel Castro as the shooter. Law enforcement located the van and detained Castro who admitted to having a weapon inside the van. A semi-automatic pistol was later recovered from the van. He had been previously convicted of Illegal Entry on May 15, 2014, in the Northern District of Indiana. As part of Operation Take Back America and Project Safe Neighborhoods, Homeland Security Investigations and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office teamed with Assistant United States Attorney Kristian R. Mukoski to bring this case. Our nation is safer when armed illegal aliens are caught, incarcerated, and removed. The Defendant needs to return to his home country and not violate our nation’s laws again,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristian R. Mukoski.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
South Bend Woman Convicted by Jury of Theft for Theft from Four Winds CasinoRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Renee S. Toliver, 41 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was found guilty after a two-day jury trial presided over by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
“On July 22, 2026, after a trial spanning two days, a jury returned a verdict of guilty against a Defendant charged her with one count of theft of money in excess of $1,000 belonging to the Four Winds Casino. The matter was investigated by the Pokagon Tribal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Luke N. Reilander and Joseph M. Barrier. Sentencing is scheduled for October 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM before United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
"Strong businesses create opportunities, strengthen communities, and improve lives," said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O'Malley. "When someone abuses a position of trust for personal gain, the damage extends far beyond the dollars stolen. The FBI is committed to investigating financial crimes, protecting the integrity of our institutions, and ensuring those responsible are held accountable."
Pokagon Police Chief Doug Callahan said, “This verdict reflects the dedication and professionalism of the Pokagon Tribal Police Department and the strong collaboration with our federal law enforcement partners. We remain committed to protecting our community and ensuring those who commit crimes are held accountable."
Sentencing is scheduled for October 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM. Any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the District Court Judge after consideration of federal statutes and the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
This case was investigated by the Pokagon Tribal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Luke N. Reilander and Joseph M. Barrier.
South Bend Man Sentenced to 90 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Donald Cauffman, 34 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to attempt to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Cauffman was sentenced to 90 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.
“The Defendant will serve seven and a half years in prison and will be supervised for three years thereafter because he sought to poison our communities by distributing nearly ten pounds of methamphetamine. Investigators learned that the Defendant ordered approximately $4,700 worth of methamphetamine pills on the dark web with the intent to distribute them. The pills were delivered in two packages and had a combined weight of approximately 4.5 kilograms. Investigators with United States Postal Inspection service executed a controlled delivery of the packages and monitored the packages as the Defendant opened them. Thanks to the United States Postal Inspection Service, the South Bend Police Department, the Mishawaka Police Department, and the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office led by Ken Cotter, the Defendant was able to be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius. The Defendant sought to profit from peddling this poison in our communities and we are safer because the drugs were intercepted and he is behind bars,” said United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the South Bend Police Department, the Mishawaka Police Department, and the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius.
Guatemalan National Sentenced for Felony Reentry of Removed Alien for Immigration OffenseRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Fredy Jiguan-Temaj, 23 years old, of Guatemala, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to felony reentry of removed alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Judge Philip P. Simon sentenced the Defendant to time served, followed by 1 year of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 Special Assessment. The supervised release term would go into effect should the Defendant remain in, or return to, the United States within that period following expected removal proceedings.
“An illegal alien from the Republic of Guatemala who had been previously removed from the United States in 2022 was arrested on March 17, 2026, after causing a disturbance while operating a pickup truck in the parking lot of a Merrillville hotel. The defendant, who appeared to be heavily intoxicated at the time, then fled from the Merrillville Police officers responding to the scene, causing property damage to another vehicle. The Defendant was previously removed from the United States in 2022 and had reentered the country without inspection or approval. The Defendant again violated our nation’s borders, sovereignty and laws and was caught because he was endangering our community and then fled from officers. Thanks to the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the Merrillville Police Department and Assistant United States Attorney Zachary D. Heater, the Defendant has been prosecuted and sentenced. The Defendant needs to respect our nation’s laws and not return illegally,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Gary Man Sentenced to 192 Months in Prison for Controlled Substance OffensesRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Derek Cast, 48 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to distributing 50 grams of more of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Cast was sentenced to 192 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
“A drug and gun dealer will spend the next 16 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for plying his trade of mayhem and poison. On October 2, 2025, the defendant sold just under a pound of methamphetamine to law enforcement. A few weeks later, on October 28, and November 5, 2025, he sold law enforcement 4 semi-automatic pistols and 2 rifles and demonstrated how to use one of the rifles as a fully automatic firearm. He was immediately arrested and law enforcement recovered a firearm from his person. The defendant has multiple felony convictions, including attempted battery involving law enforcement, carrying a handgun without a license, possession of cocaine, and dealing in cocaine, all of which were felonies that disqualified him from possessing any firearm or ammunition, much less selling them along with the methamphetamine. Citizens of our community and nation are safer for the efforts of agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin M. Padula as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods and Operation Take Back America,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin M. Padula.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
Goshen Man Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison for Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND –Luis Garcia, 25 years old, of Goshen, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possession of a machinegun and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Garcia was sentenced to 63 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.
“The Defendant will serve over five years in prison after he flashed a machine gun at another person inside a bar. Security removed him from the premises and took away his gun, which had a 30-round extended magazine loaded with 24 rounds plus a round chambered. It also had a Glock switch attached, which allowed the gun to fire in rapid succession, in fully automatic. Garcia escaped the grip of the guards and ran away before police arrived. Sometime later, police pulled over a car where Garcia was a passenger and found him in possession of yet another firearm and cocaine. Garcia had a felony conviction for unlawful carrying of a handgun, and he was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm. Thanks to the combined efforts of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Goshen Police Department and the support of the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office led by Vicki Becker, the Defendant was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katelan McKenzie Doyle and Joel Gabrielse. Our community is safer with him off the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Goshen Police Department and the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katelan McKenzie Doyle and Joel Gabrielse.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Indianapolis comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF, IRS, Indiana State Police, and other partners, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana.
Colombian National Sentenced to 25 Months in Prison for Illegal Use of a False Social Security Number and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Oscar Andres Lopez-Gomez, 52 years old, a citizen of Colombia, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to felony use of a false Social Security Number and Aggravated Identity Theft, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Lopez-Gomez was sentenced to 25 months in prison.
“The Defendant, a citizen of Columbia, committed Aggravated Identity Theft by using another person’s name, date of birth, and Social Security Number in an attempt to circumvent rules regarding employment. Circumventing those rules is not “victimless” conduct in that it affects the economic opportunities available to citizens and guests of our country who lawfully participate in the economy in good faith. As a result of the collaboration between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations, the case was able to be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Gary Man Found Guilty by Jury for Trafficking Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, and HeroinRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Darod Wheeler, 55 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was found guilty following a two-day trial presided over by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 8, 2026.
“The Defendant was found guilty for Trafficking Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, and Heroin. According to trial testimony and documents in the case, on July 24, 2025, during an initial controlled purchase outside his residence in Gary, Indiana, Wheeler sold more than 5 grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of fentanyl to a confidential informant acting at the direction of law enforcement. Five days later, on July 29, 2025, during a second controlled purchase outside that residence, Wheeler sold more than 5 grams of methamphetamine, a quantity of fentanyl, and a quantity of heroin to that informant. The jury was advised that less than an hour after the second controlled purchase concluded, officers searched Wheeler’s residence and located the money used to pay Wheeler for those drugs. After being advised of his Miranda rights, the Defendant confessed to drug trafficking, according to trial testimony,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
The jury also found that Wheeler has a prior federal conviction for a “serious drug felony,” distribution of fentanyl, in the Northern District of Indiana for which he served more than twelve months of imprisonment and for which he was released from serving any term of imprisonment related to that offense within fifteen years of July 24 and July 29, 2025. Based on that prior conviction, Wheeler faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Porter County Multi-Enforcement Group, the Porter County Sheriff’s Office, and the Valparaiso Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kristian R. Mukoski and Ambris Saravanan.
South Bend Man Sentenced to 72 Months in Prison for Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Laquan Broussard, 37 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Broussard was sentenced to 72 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release.
“A convicted drug dealer was the passenger in a vehicle speeding down the road and was armed with a loaded handgun with 22 rounds of ammunition in its magazine. Officers determined that he had several felony convictions, including residential entry, dealing cocaine, and conspiring to deal controlled substances, and had no business possessing a gun. Due to the solid work by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the South Bend Police Department with a referral from our state partners in the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office led by Ken Cotter, Assistant United States Attorney Luke N. Reilander was able to prosecute the Defendant and will service 6 years in prison followed by a year of supervised release,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the South Bend Police Department and the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke N. Reilander.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Sin City Deciples Member Sentenced to 72 Months in Prison for Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Romairal Allen, age 52, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to racketeering conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Allen was sentenced to 72 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release.
“According to the Indictment, the Sin City Deciples, originally formed in 1967 in Gary, Indiana, is an outlaw motorcycle organization in which its members and associates engaged in acts of violence, extortion, and narcotics distribution in the Northern District of Indiana and elsewhere."
“The Defendant was a leader of an outlaw motorcycle organization called the Sin City Deciples and will serve six years in prison for the crime of Racketeering Conspiracy. The organization’s members and associates have engaged in acts of violence, extortion, and narcotics distribution in the Northern District of Indiana and elsewhere since being originally formed in 1967 in Gary, Indiana. The Defendant was the president of the Chicago Chapter in 2020 and later was promoted to a regional president overseeing all chapters in Illinois and Indiana. During his participation in the racketeering conspiracy, he participated in multiple predicate acts of racketeering, including possession with intent to distribute cocaine and other controlled substances and the extortion of another motorcycle club in Indiana. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) and was brought by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael J. Toth and David J. Nozick, with extensive cooperation between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the East Chicago Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Gary Police Department, the Griffith Police Department, the Hammond Police Department, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area officers and agents, the Merrillville Police Department, the Munster Police Department, the Schererville Police Department, the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Kokomo Police Department,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
“The sentence in this case underscores ATF’s commitment to accountability for those who use violence and intimidation to further their crimes. The Sin City Deciples weren’t just a motorcycle club but a criminal gang that preyed on others for their own benefit. ATF and our law enforcement partners will not stop and we’ll continue to work together to dismantle criminal organizations that threaten the safety and welfare of our communities,” said ATF Chicago Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon.
"The defendant was instrumental in driving the Sin City Disciples' criminal enterprise, leading efforts that relied on violence, intimidation, drug trafficking, and extortion to enrich the organization and reinforce its criminal influence," said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O'Malley. "The FBI will continue working with our partners to identify, investigate, and dismantle violent criminal organizations and hold those who threaten our communities accountable."
The agencies involved in this prosecution were: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the East Chicago Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Gary Police Department, the Griffith Police Department, the Hammond Police Department, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area officers and agents, the Merrillville Police Department, the Munster Police Department, and the Schererville Police Department. Also providing assistance were the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Kokomo Police Department.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael J. Toth and David J. Nozick.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Indianapolis comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF, IRS, Indiana State Police, and other partners, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Peru Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Dex Dilan Willard, Jr., 38 years old, of Peru, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Willard was sentenced to 46 months in prison, 5 years of supervised release. Restitution is deferred until the restitution hearing on September 29, 2026.
“The Defendant will serve nearly four years in the Bureau of Prisons and five years of supervised release thereafter for possessing video portraying child sexual abuse involving a prepubescent minor or a minor who had not attained the age of 12 years of age. Possession of child pornography is not a victimless crime, as a child was violated during its creation. Possessors of such deviant material continue to harm the innocent child victim into perpetuity, so long as the porn exists and they create a deplorable black market for the evil material. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations and the Indiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew A. Krumwied and former Assistant United States Attorney Hannah T Jones. Our children are safer because of their efforts,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Indiana State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew A. Krumwied and former Assistant United States Attorney Hannah T Jones.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Wabash Man Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison for Interstate Communication of Threats to InjureRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Kayden Bell, 20 years old, of Wabash, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to making an interstate communication with a threat to injure, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Bell was sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
“The Defendant’s threats to people of Jewish heritage and law enforcement were illegal and stood in direct opposition to our community’s core values. He sought to intimidate them, and his words have earned him a trip to prison and two years of supervised release when he is finished. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Wabash Police Department, and the Wabash County Prosecutor’s Office led by William C. Hartley, AUSA Lydia T. Lucius was able to bring the case in federal court,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
"Threats intended to intimidate individuals because of their religion or to target law enforcement officers strike at the safety of our communities," said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “"The FBI takes all threats seriously and will aggressively pursue those who use interstate communications to intimidate, terrorize, or incite violence against others.”
According to documents in the case, between August and October of 2025, Bell posted threatening posts on social media targeting Jewish individuals and law enforcement.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Wabash Police Department and the Wabash County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius.
US Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Indiana Supports Area Veteran’s Groups as part of the Department of Justice’s Hometown Heroes initiativeRead the Press Release
HAMMOND, SOUTH BEND, AND FORT WAYNE- As part of the Hometown Heroes initiative celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, members of the Northern District of Indiana team conducted a gift-in-kind charity drive of clothing and household goods for area veteran’s charities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Indiana operates out of three separate branches in Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Hammond.
The Fort Wayne Branch collected donations to benefit The Shepherd’s House, a transitional housing and clinical treatment center for homeless and formerly homeless veterans struggling with addiction and mental health challenges to help them rebuild their lives. For more information about the Shepherd’s House, please visit https://www.shepherdshouse.org/ .
The South Bend Branch collected donations to benefit the Robert L. Miller Sr. Veteran’s Center. The Robert L. Miller Sr. Veteran’s Center team works with Veterans to provide opportunities for an array of supportive services to improve Veteran’s self-sufficiency, all based on the needs of each Veteran. For more information about the Robert L. Miller Sr. Veteran’s Center, please visit https://www.cfh.net/mvc .
The Hammond Branch collected donations to benefit AMVETS. AMVETS (American Veterans) is a non-partisan veterans service organization that advocates for veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. They provide free VA disability claims assistance, career counseling, and community support programs, funded largely through household goods donations and thrift stores. For more information about AMVETS, please visit https://amvetspickup.com/ .
“It is an honor for our team to support veterans as part of celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday. Their sacrifices are a critical reason why we can enjoy our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
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Hammond Man Sentenced to 66 Months in Prison for Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Jonas Derrico Smith, 54 years old, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Smith was sentenced to 66 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
“A drug dealer and robber will go to prison for five and a half years for possessing a firearm. The Defendant sold Xanax twice in October 2023 from his residence in Hammond, Indiana. Law enforcement executed a search warrant and recovered a loaded revolver, a semi-automatic pistol and multiple rounds of ammunition. Smith has prior felony convictions for armed robbery, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, and twice for distributing cocaine; all of which prohibit him from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Our community is safer due to the efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin M. Padula as part of Operation Take Back America,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin M. Padula.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Mexican National Sentenced to 21 months in Prison for Immigration OffenseRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Rodolfo Perez, 40 years old, of Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to felony reentry of removed alien with a prior felony conviction, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Rodolfo Perez was sentenced to 21 months in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 Special Assessment. The supervised release term would go into effect should the Defendant remain in, or return to, the United States within that period following expected removal proceedings.
“Violating a nation’s borders is violating that nation’s laws and defying its sovereignty. The Defendant was an illegal alien with a long history of violating our nation’s laws, borders, and sovereignty, and did it again. He had previously been removed and sent home to Mexico. At the time of his arrest in this case, Perez was displaying erratic behavior and was in possession of cocaine. Further, his criminal history includes felony convictions for attempted burglary, aggravated DUI, and burglary, and misdemeanor convictions for criminal trespass to a vehicle and battery causing bodily harm. Thanks to the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the Hammond Police Department, and AUSA Emily Morgan, the Defendant has been prosecuted and sentenced,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Hammond Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily Morgan.
Gary Man Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Chester Maclin, Jr., 29 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Maclin was sentenced to 48 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
“On September 30, 2023, the Defendant was the driver of a vehicle pulled over in Munster, Indiana. Evidence led law enforcement to conduct a search of the vehicle, and they found a loaded Glock pistol equipped with a machinegun conversion device that allows for the handgun to fire rounds rapidly. Maclin has a prior felony conviction which prohibits him from possessing a firearm or ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and AUSA Kristian R. Mukoski brought the case as part of Operation Take Back America, and we are safer for their efforts,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristian R. Mukoski.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Sixth Honduran National Sentenced to Prison for His Role in a Bank Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Rosalio Pena Sandres, 45 years old, of Luquigue, Honduras, is the latest Honduran national to be sentenced to prison for his role in an expansive bank fraud conspiracy resulting in significant losses to small businesses and community banks in more than a dozen states, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Pena Sandres was sentenced to 33 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of illegal re-entry. He was also ordered to pay $533,043 in restitution to the victims of his crimes. The sentence was imposed by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon at a hearing held on June 18, 2026.
“Rosalio Pena Sandres will spend 33 months in prison because he and his co-conspirators used fake identification cards to cash 169 fraudulent paychecks totaling $233,569 at three branches of the same bank in the Northern District of Indiana on January 11, 2023. The fraudulent paychecks were designed to look like they had been issued by a company that operates dairy farms in the Northern District of Indiana. Almost six months later, on June 23, 2023, Pena Sandres and his co-conspirators used fake identification cards to cash 178 fraudulent paychecks totaling $299,474 at five branches of the same bank and three check cashing businesses in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The fraudulent paychecks were designed to look like they had been issued by a building materials supply company in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. As he has no legal no legal status within the United States, he will be subject to a separate and immediate removal process upon release from prison. Thanks to the combined efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the Indiana State Police, with valuable assistance provided by the Benton County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Department, the Benton County (Indiana) Prosecutor’s Office, the Poteau (Oklahoma) Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Travis County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office, the Houston (Texas) Police Department, the Nebraska State Police, and the Stanton County (Nebraska) Sheriff’s Office, the case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Steven J. Lupa from the Northern District of Indiana and Assistant United States Attorneys Kara Traster and Jordan Howanitz from the Eastern District of Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
“The economic impact of these fraud schemes damages the well-being and quality of life in these communities,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. “Small businesses are the backbone of our country. I’m proud of our agents and law enforcement partners for disrupting the fraud scheme and ensuring that the individuals involved were held accountable for their criminal actions.”
“The sentencing of another member of this fraud conspiracy sends a clear message that those who target American businesses and financial institutions will be identified, investigated, and prosecuted,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “The FBI remains committed to working with our partners to protect the integrity of our financial system and hold offenders accountable.”
“Indiana State Police remains committed to working diligently with our federal and local law enforcement partners to investigate complex criminal organizations that victimize businesses and communities. This case, involving a multi-state bank fraud conspiracy that resulted in significant financial losses, is a testament to the strong partnerships and coordinated efforts that help bring offenders to justice and protect the public,” said Sgt. Jeremy Piers, Indiana State Police.
Five co-conspirators were previously sentenced to prison for their roles in this scheme: Luis Banegas Rodriguez (27 months), Ricardo Castro Murillo (37 months), Carlos Aquino Sosa (41 months), Edwin Palacios Sosa (27 months), and Delvin Velasquez Romero (time served of approximately 17 months).
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the Indiana State Police, with valuable assistance provided by the Benton County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Department, the Benton County (Indiana) Prosecutor’s Office, the Poteau (Oklahoma) Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Travis County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office, the Houston (Texas) Police Department, the Nebraska State Police, and the Stanton County (Nebraska) Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Steven J. Lupa from the Northern District of Indiana and Assistant United States Attorneys Kara Traster and Jordan Howanitz from the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Indianapolis comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF, IRS, Indiana State Police, and other partners, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.
Merrillville Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of 100 Grams or More of HeroinRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – On June 18, 2026, Lamario Delgado-Gonzalez, 31 years old, of Merrillville, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting the distribution of 100 grams or more of heroin, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Lamario Delgado-Gonzalez was sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
“The Defendant participated in the sale of over 10,000 pills containing a total of over 100 grams of heroin to undercover law enforcement agents on February 14, 2025, in Merrillville, Indiana. Between December 2024 and April 2025 in Merrillville, Delgado-Gonzalez also participated in the sale of additional pills containing a variety of controlled substances including methamphetamine, fentanyl, and a fentanyl precursor to undercover law enforcement agents. As part of Operation Take Back America, this dealer of poison is going to prison due to the hard work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration HIDTA Enforcement Group with assistance from the DEA North Central Laboratory, and AUSA Dean Lanter. Our district and nation are safer because of their efforts,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration HIDTA Enforcement Group with assistance from the DEA North Central Laboratory. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean Lanter.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Florida Man Sentenced to 36 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Justyn Arch, 40 years old, of Florida, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to health care fraud, aggravated identity theft, and tax evasion, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Arch was sentenced to 36 months in prison and ordered to pay $520,897 in restitution.
“The Defendant bilked Indiana Medicaid out of money set aside to help members of our community with their medical bills and the Internal Revenue Service of over half a million dollars combined. As the vice president of a dental practice that had locations in Chesterton, Indiana, and Crown Point, Indiana, he violated that position of importance and trust over a period of over two and a half years by submitting claims to Indiana Medicaid by falsely billing for hundreds of dental surgeries that were never actually performed. To carry out this scheme, the Defendant used, without authorization, the personal identifiers of patients to support payment for the fraudulent claims. To conceal the illegal income from this scheme, he also committed tax evasion. Thanks to the combined efforts and partnership of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Northern Indiana Region 10 Office of the U.S. Trustee, the Porter County Prosecutor’s Office led by Gary S. Germann, and AUSA Philip C. Benson and AUSA Kevin F. Wolff, this fraudster has been sent to prison and ordered to pay back his ill-gotten gains,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Indiana Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Porter County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Northern Indiana Region 10 Office of the U.S. Trustee. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Philip C. Benson and Kevin F. Wolff.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Honduran National Sentenced to 7 Months in Prison for Immigration OffenseRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Nery Leonel Rivera, 49 years old, a felon from Honduras who had been previously removed from the United States in 2015, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to felony reentry of removed alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Rivera was sentenced to 7 months in prison.
“The Defendant is a convicted felon and his repeated violations of our nation’s borders laws are not victimless crimes in that he was caught trying to steal an identity that would allow him to perpetuate his violations. He was convicted of possession of cocaine in 2013, removed from the United States and returned to his home country of Honduras in March 2015. He violated our nation’s borders and laws when he reentered the United States a few months later and was removed a second time in September 2015. He violated our nation’s borders and laws yet again and progressed in his disregard for our nation’s laws. Investigators found Rivera in Indiana while investigating a report of stolen identity. Rivera had paid cash to purchase the identity of another person and used a fake Social Security card and forged birth certificate to misrepresent to his employer that he was a United States citizen. Thanks to the efforts of the US Department of Homeland Security, the Indiana State Police, and AUSA Jerome W. McKeever, the Defendant was prosecuted and convicted for his crimes,” U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred said.
This case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security with assistance from the Indiana State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jerome W. McKeever.
Los Angeles Man Sentenced to 121 Months in Prison for Conspiring to Distribute Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Bao Xu, 33 years old, of Los Angeles, California, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine and distributing five grams or more of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Xu was sentenced to 121 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
“For more than a year, Xu distributed harmful drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine across the country. From his Los Angeles apartment, Xu marketed drugs on the Dark Web, sold them in exchange for virtual currency, and arranged their delivery via mail. This high-tech scheme distributed drugs to every state in the United States, including cities and towns throughout Indiana, averaging more than 260 drug deals and $55,000 in sales per month and ultimately leading to the seizure of more than $2,000,000 in virtual currency. Xu’s sentence makes clear that drug traffickers cannot hide on the Dark Web: They will be tracked down and brought to justice for sending poison to the heartland. This prosecution was brought through the combined efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the St. Joseph County Police Department, Mishawaka Police Department, Indiana State Police, New York City Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and South Gate Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney and NDIN Appellate Division Chief Joseph P. Falvey,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
“The Drug Enforcement Administration is leading efforts to combat cyber and Dark Web-based criminal networks responsible for the surge of controlled substances throughout the United States. These illicit operations pose a significant threat to public health and safety, exploiting vulnerable individuals and fueling addiction within our communities. For more than a year, Xu managed a highly sophisticated, nationwide drug trafficking organization that operated on a mass scale, thus profiting from the suffering of others. Even Indiana was not immune to his illegal and immoral actions. The sentencing of Xu sends a clear message that this type of criminal activity is not welcomed here in our Hoosier state,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chip Cooke.
“The FBI is committed to disrupting the flow of illegal drugs into our communities and holding accountable those responsible for distributing them,” said FBI Indianapolis Acting Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “Today's sentence is the result of strong partnerships and a shared commitment to protecting the public from the dangers associated with drug trafficking.”
Xu’s co-defendant, Jianhua Zhao, is currently scheduled for sentencing on September 3, 2026.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the St. Joseph County Police Department, Mishawaka Police Department, Indiana State Police, New York City Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and South Gate Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Appellate Division Chief Joseph P. Falvey.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
Gary Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Possession of MachinegunsRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – DeShawn Mitchell, 20 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to possession of a machinegun, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Mitchell was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
“On June 12, 2024, the Defendant sold a machinegun conversion device, commonly referred to as a “Glock Switch” to a confidential informant working for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. On August 12, 2024, Mitchell sold a machinegun, namely a Glock-style firearm with an affixed machinegun conversion device and no serial number. Thanks to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the efforts of Assistant United States Attorney Ambris Saravanan as part of Operation Take Back America, the Defendant was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ambris Saravanan.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Gary Man Sentenced to 96 Months in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl Precursor and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Nathaniel Johnson, 21 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to distribution of a schedule II-controlled substance and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Nathaniel Johnson was sentenced to 96 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.
“An armed drug dealer will spend the next 8 years in prison because he sold over 20,000 pills containing a fentanyl precursor to undercover law enforcement agents while in possession of a semi-automatic pistol loaded with 27 rounds of ammunition in an extended magazine, after which he was arrested at the scene. Thanks to the efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force, the DEA North Central Laboratory, and Assistant United States Attorney Dean Lanter, the poison was intercepted and the drug dealer went to prison,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
“The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), along with its law enforcement partners, will use every available resource to investigate and stop those who distribute illegal drugs and possess illegal automatic weapons. DEA’s commitment to protecting the people of Northern Indiana remains unwavering. The sentencing of Mr. Johnson sends a clear message to those who engage in this dangerous, criminal conduct. You will be identified, held accountable, and brought to justice,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chip Cooke.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force and supported by the DEA North Central Laboratory. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean Lanter.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
South Bend Man Sentenced to 151 Months in Prison for Controlled Substance OffenseRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Michael Carpenter, 39 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Carpenter was sentenced to 151 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
“The Defendant will spend over twelve years in prison because he chose to distribute about 352 grams of methamphetamine. Thanks to the efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse, the Defendant was prosecuted and sentenced for peddling this poison,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.
South Bend Man Sentenced to 32 Months in Prison for Controlled Substance OffenseRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Steven Briones, 37 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Briones was sentenced to 32 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
“Investigators intercepted two postal packages containing thousands of pressed methamphetamine pills and obtained a search warrant for Briones’ house after they watched another person go into his house carrying the two packages. While executing the search warrant, investigators found a Ziploc bag that contained about 64 grams of orange pressed methamphetamine pills packed away in Briones’ living room chest. Thanks to the combined efforts of the United States Postal Inspection Service, the South Bend Police Department, the Mishawaka Police Department, and the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office led by Ken Cotter and AUSA Lydia Lucius, the poison was intercepted, and the Defendant is going to prison,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the South Bend Police Department, the Mishawaka Police Department, and the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius.
Mishawaka Man Sentenced to 6 Months in Prison for Unlicensed Dealing in FirearmsRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – James Hanback, 61 years old, of Mishawaka, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to unlicensed dealing in firearms, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Hanback was sentenced to 6 months in prison followed by 18 months of supervised release with the first 6 months to be served on home detention.
“As part of Operation Take Back America, agents of the BATFE traced numerous firearms that were involved in crimes to unlicensed gun dealer James Hanback. The Defendant purchased about 204 firearms from licensed dealers between January 2021 and the summer of 2025, and he listed about 165 firearms for sale on the internet, though he himself was not a federally licensed firearms dealer. He also made numerous cash deposits totaling more than $98,000 into his bank account. Investigators executed a search warrant at Hanback’s home after he sold two firearms to an undercover officer, and they recovered 10 more firearms and other documents relating to firearms transactions,” U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred said.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Salvadoran National Sentenced to 12 Months and One Day in Prison for Immigration OffenseRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Omar Adali Mojica-Manzano, 37 years old, of El Salvador, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to felony reentry of removed alien with a prior felony conviction, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Omar Adali Mojica-Manzano was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 Special Assessment. The supervised release term would go into effect should the Defendant remain in, or return to, the United States within that period following expected removal proceedings.
“An illegal alien in possession of cocaine violated our nation’s borders yet again despite being deported three previous times in 2014, 2022, and 2023. He clearly does not believe the laws of our country apply to him. His criminal history includes convictions for illegal entry, failure to provide vehicle registration, and alien unlawfully found in the United States after deportation. The Defendant needs to return to his home and not return,” U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the East Chicago Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily Morgan.
Mexican National Sentenced to Time Served for Reentry of Removed Alien OffenseRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Bernardo Chagala-Cosme, 34 years old, of a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to felony Reentry of Removed Alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Chagala-Cosme was sentenced to time served.
According to documents in the case, Chagala-Cosme is not a citizen of the United States. He was previously removed from the United States in September 2013, but he quickly reentered the United States. He was removed again in October 2013, and again in April 2015. Police found Chagala-Cosme in LaPorte in January 2026 after they responded to the scene of a car crash. Police followed a trail of leaking fluid, which led directly to the house where Chagala-Cosme was living. He had 0.5 grams of cocaine in his pocket, and his blood alcohol content tested at 0.35. Police discovered he was in the country illegally when they booked and fingerprinted him.
“The Defendant was a drunk illegal alien with cocaine in his pocket and found at the end of fluid trail after a car crash. He has been removed after two previous violations of our nation’s borders, and does not seem to think the rules apply to him. He clearly does not respect our nation’s laws or its sovereignty,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the LaPorte Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke N. Reilander.
Mexican National Sentenced to Time Served for Immigration OffenseRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Edgar Omar Ortiz-Alvarado, 44 years old, of Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to felony reentry of removed alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Edgar Omar Ortiz-Alvarado was sentenced by Judge Simon to time served followed by 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 Special Assessment. The supervised release term will go into effect if Ortiz-Alvarado remains in, or returns to, the United States within that period following expected removal proceedings.
“The Defendant is an illegal alien who has three prior convictions for operating while intoxicated/driving under the influence and multiple other traffic-related convictions. He has also been previously removed twice from the United States in March and April 2015. The Defendant disrespected our nation’s laws and sovereignty as he repeatedly violated our borders,” U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred said.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nadia Wardrip.
Mexican National Sentenced to Time Served for Immigration OffenseRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Luis Alfredo Meneses-Silva, 35 years old, of Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to felony reentry of removed alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Luis Alfredo Meneses-Silva was sentenced to time served followed by 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 Special Assessment. The supervised release term will go into effect if Meneses-Silva remains in, or returns to, the United States within that period following expected removal proceedings.
“The Defendant does not believe our nation’s laws apply to him and has been previously removed twice from the United States in 2017. He also has prior convictions for public intoxication and interference with official acts. He needs to return home and not violate our nation’s borders again,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nadia Wardrip.
Mexican National Sentenced to 6 months in Prison for Immigration OffenseRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Victor Manuel Arellano-Cetina, 34 years old, of Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to felony reentry of removed alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Victor Manuel Arellano-Cetina was sentenced to 6 months in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 Special Assessment. The supervised release term would go into effect should the Defendant remain in, or return to, the United States within that period following expected removal proceedings.
According to documents in the case, Arellano-Cetina’s history includes three prior deportations from the United States in 2010, 2023, and 2023.
“The Defendant has been deported three prior times and clearly does not respect our nation’s laws or her sovereignty. After his jail sentence, he needs to return to his home country and not come back,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Crown Point Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily Morgan.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Indiana Announces “Hometown Hero”Read the Press Release
HAMMOND – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana has selected FBI Indianapolis Staff Operations Specialist Susan Graff as its “Hometown Hero.” She was nominated by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin Padula and selected by U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
The “Hometown Hero” award honors individuals who exemplify Liberty, Service, and Civic Responsibility. It recognizes a sustained commitment to these ideals and to public service in support of the community and the mission of justice.
“Susan Graff has served the Federal Bureau of Investigation for more than thirty years,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred. “She is currently assigned to the Indianapolis Division - Merrillville Resident Agency and is widely respected for her professionalism, institutional knowledge, and steady support to investigative teams. Her contributions have strengthened complex investigations and supported law enforcement efforts across a wide range of matters.”
Known for her behind-the-scenes work and dedication, Graff provides critical support to investigative efforts and plays an important role in helping advance cases. Those who work with her note that her contributions have repeatedly helped move investigations forward and that her work has had a meaningful impact across a wide range of matters.
Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin Padula said, “Her work has been essential to supporting complex cases in this district. She consistently brings strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and a deep commitment to public service. We are fortunate to have her as part of the team.”