Northern District of Indiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Auburn Man Sentenced to 120 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Michael L. Placencia, 53 years old, of Auburn, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than five grams of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Placencia was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on September 7, 2020, Placencia, was approached by the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department after causing traffic to become congested by failing to move to the far right of the road. During the encounter, police checked the VIN number on Placencia’s moped and found that it was previously reported stolen. Placencia indicated to law enforcement that he had something illegal on him which turned out to be eleven bags of methamphetamine, $674 cash, a digital scale with residue, a glass smoking device, and a red straw containing residue. Subsequent lab analysis revealed the substance to be methamphetamine, 95% pure with a weight of 32.4 grams.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brent Ecenbarger.
###
Chicago Heights Woman Sentenced to 37 Months of ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
HAMMOND-Tanisha Bledsoe,48, of Chicago Heights, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio following her guilty plea to wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Bledsoe was sentenced to 37 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release. Bledsoe was ordered to pay $2,167,710 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
According to documents filed in the case, on or about January 21, 2016, Bledsoe assisted in the preparation and filing of a false 2015 tax return for a client. Bledsoe used the internet and an online company to create and file a fabricated W-2 form for the purpose of supporting the false wage income on the client’s tax return. Bledsoe then filed the tax return knowing that it was false. In total, Bledsoe admitted that she assisted in the preparation of 540 false tax returns as part of this scheme.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigative Division. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Chang.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 102 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Richard Gordon, 40 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and admitting to violating the terms of his supervised release on a prior felon in possession of a firearm conviction, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Gordon was sentenced to 78 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release on the current conviction, and was given a consecutive 24 month term of imprisonment on the revocation of his supervised release from his prior conviction.
According to documents in the case, on May 5, 2021, Gordon was found in possession of a 9mm firearm after being involved in a traffic incident in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Gordon ran from Fort Wayne Police Department officers but was eventually apprehended and arrested. Gordon had two previous convictions from the Eastern District of Missouri for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Gordon admitted to removing his location monitoring equipment and leaving his residence without authorization while on supervised release.
This current case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Munster Woman Ordered to Pay over $80,000 in Restitution to Chapter 13 Bankruptcy TrusteeRead the Press Release
HAMMOND—Mary Lois Cossey, age 55, of Munster, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon today following her August 2021 plea of guilty to one count of wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Cossey was sentenced to a term of 2 years’ probation, and was ordered to pay $81,159.97 in restitution to the Chapter 13 Trustee appointed to administer her case for the benefit of her creditors.
According to documents in this case, Cossey engaged in a scheme to defraud the Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustee and her creditors in order to take advantage of the benefits of bankruptcy—including the imposition of a stay on collection and elimination of debts—without making the financial sacrifices required under Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. Cossey did not disclose on her bankruptcy petition a debt relationship with her personal friend and creditor, identified in the Indictment as Individual A. Even though she was prohibited from incurring new debts during her bankruptcy case, Cossey charged over $240,000 on Individual A’s credit card during the course of her bankruptcy for personal expenses including multiple vacations, luxury clothing and accessories, and jewelry. Cossey incurred other post-petition debts without the permission of the Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustee and failed to disclose changes in her employment and income during her case. Cossey repaid most of her debt to Individual A, while unsecured creditors received only 27% repayment for debts that were discharged in bankruptcy.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service in collaboration with the Northern Indiana Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group coordinated by Region 10 U.S. Trustee, Nancy J. Gargula. A trial attorney from the U.S. Trustee’s South Bend Office also provided assistance. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abizer Zanzi and Thomas McGrath.
South Bend Man Sentenced to 71 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Vincent Peaks, Jr., 24 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Peaks was sentenced to 71 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in May of 2020, law enforcement responded to gunshots in the early morning hours and found a crowd in the street. Peaks ran from the crowd and threw a stolen 9-millimeter pistol into a backyard, which firearm was recovered. Peaks has two prior convictions for firearms-related offenses, including a conviction for armed robbery with a firearm. He was on probation for the armed robbery when this offense occurred.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Molly E. Donnelly and John M. Maciejczyk.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
###
South Bend Man Sentenced to 121 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Cedric Washington, 40 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. after pleading guilty to four counts of distributing methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Washington was sentenced to 121 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in June and July of 2021, Washington sold methamphetamine on four separate occasions. During the last transaction, Washington sold over 50 grams of methamphetamine. Washington’s criminal history included three prior felony convictions, one of which was a federal firearms offense.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer.
###
Schererville Man Sentenced to 151 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Odell Lucas, 44, of Schererville, Indiana was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James Moody after pleading guilty to one count of distribution of crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Lucas was sentenced to 151 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, Lucas sold crack cocaine to a confidential informant on four separate occasions throughout January and February of 2019.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the, Porter County Drug Taskforce. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Padula.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 262 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Will A. Harris, Jr., 38 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Harris Jr. was sentenced to 262 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on January 15, 2021, Harris Jr. was arrested by the Fort Wayne Police Department after a vehicle pursuit. During the pursuit, Harris Jr. threw baggies of methamphetamine and a firearm out of the car onto the street. Officers were able to recover the discarded narcotics and the firearm. When apprehended, Harris Jr. physically assaulted an officer and later made threats to harm officers and their families.
Harris Jr. has previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including, Dealing Cocaine, Battery, Battery to a Law Enforcement Officer Resulting in Injury, and Theft, making him a career offender for purposes of the United States Sentencing Guidelines. Harris Jr. was also on probation at the time he committed his current offense.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratory and the Fort Wayne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.
This case was being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
###
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 120 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Kevin D. Ricksy a/k/a Kevin Tinsley, 35 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Ricksy was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on April 24, 2021, Ricksy was the passenger in a vehicle stopped by the Fort Wayne Police Department. Officers discovered that Ricksy had an arrest warrant and took him into custody. While doing so, officers located a loaded stolen handgun in the side door pocket where Ricksy was seated. Ricksy also admitted to possessing an AR rifle. Since Ricksy was previously convicted of Robbery, Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon and Dealing Cocaine, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with the assistance the Fort Wayne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.
This case was being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Winamac Man Sentenced to 97 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Terry Cottrell, 38 years old, of Winamac, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Cottrell was sentenced to 97 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. Cottrell was ordered to pay $39,000 in restitution.
According to documents in the case, in October of 2019, law enforcement discovered over 9,000 images and seven videos of child pornography on Cottrell’s cell phone and laptop computer. Cottrell confessed to possessing the images. Cottrell’s criminal history includes a conviction for breaking into a library in 2003 to look up child pornography on a library computer.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the Indiana State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John M. Maciejczyk.
###
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 252 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Brendan Collicott, 27 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to multiple counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Collicott was sentenced to 252 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. Collicott was also ordered to pay $400.00 restitution.
According to documents in the case, during the evening hours of January 21, 2018, and into the early morning hours of January 22, 2018, Collicott robbed four gas stations in Fort Wayne while armed with a firearm. For at least some of the robberies, Collicott was accompanied by another male. Collicott did not get more than a few hundred dollars at any of the gas stations. At the time of his apprehension, law enforcement recovered the loaded firearm used in the robberies.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
###
East Chicago Man Sentenced to 33 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Ernest Willis, 25, of East Chicago, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James T. Moody after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Willis was sentenced to 33 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in November 2020, Willis possessed two firearms after having been previously convicted of a felony. Both firearms were loaded, and one of the firearms had a high-capacity magazine. Willis has prior felony convictions for robbery.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the East Chicago Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin F. Wolff.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
South Bend Man Sentenced to 30 Months of ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND-Michael Dale Kindley, 45, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio following his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Kindley was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by 1 years of supervised release.
According to documents filed in the case, in August of 2020, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop in which they learned Kindley was driving without a driver’s license in a car that did not belong to him. At the time of the stop, Kindley had a handgun, over $2,000 cash, two bags filled with an assortment of prescription pills, and was on probation for a felony conviction of possessing methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Indiana State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Schultz.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
South Bend Man Sentenced to 21 Months of ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND-Tyshawn Williams, 26, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio following his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Williams was sentenced to 21 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents filed in the case, in March of 2021, Williams was stopped with a 9-millimeter handgun and marijuana in his car. He then tried to run away from officers but was apprehended. Williams was on parole for a reckless homicide felony conviction when he committed this offense.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Mishawaka Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerome McKeever.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Demotte Man Sentenced to 72 Months of ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
HAMMOND-Raymond Upthegrove, 35, of Demotte, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon following his guilty plea to receipt of child pornography and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Upthegrove was sentenced to 72 months in prison, 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution.
According to documents filed in the case, on various dates prior to January 10, 2018, Upthegrove downloaded and received child pornography from various websites and forums to his computer. In addition, on January 10, 2018, at his Demotte residence, Upthegrove possessed methamphetamine that he intended to distribute to other individuals.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, and the Indiana State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Nozick.
Chicago Man Sentenced to 37 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Clarence Brown, 30, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James T. Moody after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Brown was sentenced to 37 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in June 2021, Brown possessed two firearms - a Taurus firearm and a Polymer 80/20 - after having been previously convicted of a felony (armed robbery). The latter firearm is commonly referred to as a “ghost gun” since it lacked a make, model, or serial number. Both firearms, which were loaded, had travelled in interstate commerce: the Taurus firearm had traveled in interstate commerce because it was not manufactured in the State of Indiana and the ghost gun had traveled in interstate commerce because Brown it had brought into Indiana from Illinois.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Hammond Police Department, and the Whiting Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin F. Wolff.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced 240 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Calvin Mitchell, Jr., 39 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Mitchell was sentenced to 240 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in February and March 2021, law enforcement conducted controlled buys of over 380 grams of methamphetamine from Mitchell. During one of the buys, Mitchell boasted about having fentanyl available that was so strong “it was killing people.” When officers searched Mitchell’s residence, they located large quantities of a cutting agent and over $7,000 in cash. Lab tests confirmed the purchased methamphetamine was 100% pure.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brent Ecenbarger.
###
Chicago Man Sentenced to 21 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Jeremiah Taylor, 29, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James T. Moody after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Taylor was sentenced to 21 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in March 2020, Taylor possessed a loaded firearm after having been previously convicted of a felony. Taylor has prior felony convictions for aggravated battery on a peace officer and criminal damage to government property.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Gary Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin F. Wolff.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Lansing Man Sentenced to 46 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Julio Cesar Galvan, 29, of Lansing, Illinois was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James Moody after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Galvan was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release
According to documents in the case, on March 19, 2021, Hammond Police Officers were conducting a sobriety checkpoint when they encountered Galvan. A search of his vehicle resulted in the recovery and seizure of a fully loaded black and gray handgun. The gun was a “ghost gun” that lacked a serial number or other identifiers. Because Galvan was a convicted felon at the time of the stop, he could not legally possess a firearm or ammunition.
This was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Hammond Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Padula.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects $6,637,580.30 in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2021Read the Press Release
HAMMOND - U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson announced today that the Northern District of Indiana collected $6,637,580.30 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2021. Of this amount, $5,174,664.80 was collected in criminal actions and $1,462,915.50 was collected in civil actions.
Additionally, the Northern District of Indiana worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $1,189,415.52 in civil cases pursued jointly by these offices.
“The Public needs to know that the United States Attorney’s office does far more than just prosecute violators of federal criminal law,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. “We also strive to make crime victims whole by seeking to recover monies owed them as a result of restitution judgments entered by district judges. We also protect the federal treasury by collecting debts that are owed to the United States. These efforts are worthy of commendation.”
One example of these collection efforts includes the September 2021 consent decree requiring U. S. Steel Corporation to address alleged violations of the Clean Water Act and other federal and Indiana laws. U.S. Steel Corporation agreed to undertake substantial measures to improve wastewater treatment and monitoring systems at its steel manufacturing and finishing facility in Portage (known as its Midwest Plant) and to strengthen and broaden their public and stakeholder notification procedures in the event of a spill or release to ground, soil or water. The consent decree also required U.S. Steel Corporation to pay $931,854.56, which covered civil penalties and damages caused by the spill.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Northern District of Indiana working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $1,111,683 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2021. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
###
Department of Justice Awards More Than $125 Million in Grants Under the Stop School Violence ActRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Justice today announced nearly $126 million in funding to advance school safety under the STOP School Violence Act. The grants, awarded by the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), will help institute safety measures in and around primary and secondary schools, support school violence prevention efforts, provide training to school personnel and students, and implement evidence-based threat assessments.
“The Justice Department has no greater responsibility than protecting Americans from harm,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Schools must be safe places to learn, and today’s investment of more than $125 million under the STOP School Violence Act will help ensure that they are.”
“I applaud the Rochester and Hanover, Indiana School Districts in their endeavors to enhance school safety with these federal grants,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
The Students, Teachers and Officers Preventing School Violence Act of 2018 (the “STOP School Violence Act”) gives the Justice Department the authority to provide awards directly to states, units of local government, Indian tribes, and public agencies (such as school districts and law enforcement agencies) to improve security at schools and on school grounds through evidence-based school safety programs. It also provides grants to ensure a positive school climate by helping students and teachers recognize, respond quickly to, and help prevent acts of violence.
The 78 BJA annual awards, totaling almost $74 million, are intended to support training and education for school personnel and students on preventing violence against others and themselves, including anti-bullying training and specialized training for school officials to respond to mental health crises. Funds also help develop and implement multidisciplinary threat assessment or intervention teams and design technology solutions such as anonymous reporting systems, hotlines and websites.
The COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) provides up to 75% of the funding for school safety measures in and around primary and secondary schools. The 153 SVPP awards, totaling almost $52 million, are statutorily obligated to be used for coordination with law enforcement; training for local law enforcement officers to prevent student violence; locks, lighting and other deterrent measures; technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency; and other measures that provide a significant improvement in security.
The full list of SVPP awards can be found here: https://cops.usdoj.gov/svpp-award.
A list of BJA awards, as they are made, can be found on the OJP Grant Awards page.
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Department of Justice agency with policing in its name, the COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to agency for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served. The COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 135,000 officers.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
###
Hammond Man Sentenced to 18 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Darryl Ivery, Jr., 24, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to making false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Ivery was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, between February and August 2020, Ivery purchased a total of 26 firearms on 17 different occasions from federally licensed firearms dealers in Lake County, Indiana. In each of the transactions, Ivery falsely certified on federal forms that he was the actual buyer. In reality, Ivery purchased the firearms for other individuals from Chicago, who paid him between $100 and $800 over the cost of the firearms to make the purchase. Law enforcement have recovered seven of the firearms: six in Chicago and one in Gary. Five of the firearms were recovered by law enforcement within one month of purchase, and one was recovered at the scene of a shooting.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Chicago Police Department, and the Gary Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Padilla.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Business Owner Sentenced to Prison and Ordered to Pay over $145,432 in RestitutionRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Daniel Urquiza, 46, of Burr Ridge, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio today following his June 2021 guilty plea for evading assessment of federal income taxes, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Urquiza was sentenced to 6 months in prison and 6 months of home detention. He was also ordered to pay $145,432 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
According to court documents, between 2014 and 2018, Urquiza concealed over $700,000 in income from the IRS. During this time, Urquiza owned and operated Lost Marsh Restaurant and RSR Demolition LLC, two businesses that received most of its revenue from contracts with the City of Hammond, the Hammond Port Authority, and other local government entities. In addition to issuing himself a salary, Urquiza spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on personal expenses from the proceeds of these businesses and from his family’s business, Meyer’s Castle, an event venue in Dyer, Indiana. In tax years 2014 through 2016, Urquiza issued himself falsified W-2 forms and filed false federal tax returns that did not include his personal spending from the business revenue. Urquiza did not file federal tax returns for tax years 2017 and 2018.
This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abizer Zanzi.
Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 50 Years in Prison for Producing and Using Facebook to Distribute Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – An Indiana man was sentenced today to 50 years in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for using social media to produce child pornography.
Lorenzo Johnson, 33, of Hammond, was convicted on Aug. 16 by a federal jury of three counts of conspiring to produce child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Johnson used Facebook accounts in the names of others to identify women with access to children who appeared to be experiencing financial difficulties. Johnson, a registered sex offender, offered those women money to take sexually explicit photos of infants and prepubescent children whom they knew, and successfully persuaded three such women, who were subsequently charged with child pornography offenses, to send him photos depicting the sexual abuse of infants and prepubescent children. One such woman subsequently pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing, a second is scheduled to plead guilty on Dec. 21, both in the Northern District of Illinois, and charges against a third woman were dismissed in the Northern District of Indiana because she died during the course of the prosecution.
In an interview with the FBI, Johnson admitted that he had also solicited the production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from other Facebook users as a means of blackmail. Evidence presented at trial showed Johnson asked one woman to produce CSAM so he could “hold something over her head.” In addition, Facebook records admitted into evidence showed Johnson discussing the sexual abuse of children with his co-conspirators and threatening to “expose” them if they did not agree to produce CSAM.
Johnson was previously convicted in 2009 in Illinois of aggravated sexual abuse involving a minor.
“As the jury unanimously found, Lorenzo Johnson repeatedly persuaded vulnerable women to sexually exploit infants and young children,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s sentence sends a strong message that offenders who target vulnerable members of our society, and especially children, will be brought to justice.”
“Lorenzo Johnson’s criminal conduct merits the lengthy sentence that the judge imposed today,” said U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana. “Manipulating vulnerable women into producing pornographic images of voiceless children is despicable criminal behavior. I want to thank all our law enforcement partners for their hard work rendering justice in this case.”
“This sentence demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to identifying sexual predators and investigating these type of cases with a sense of urgency to ensure those who victimize our most vulnerable members of society pay the price with time in prison,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office. “As a result of the tireless work of the FBI and our law enforcement partners, Johnson no longer poses a threat to the community.”
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Trial Attorney Eduardo Palomo of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly Kelley and Abizer Zanzi of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana prosecuted the case, with valuable assistance provided by former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, Jill Koster.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
###
21-1268
Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 50 Years in Prison for Producing and Using Facebook to Distribute Child PornographyRead the Press Release
An Indiana man was sentenced today to 50 years in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for using social media to produce child pornography.
Lorenzo Johnson, 33, of Hammond, was convicted on Aug. 16 by a federal jury of three counts of conspiring to produce child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Johnson used Facebook accounts in the names of others to identify women with access to children who appeared to be experiencing financial difficulties. Johnson, a registered sex offender, offered those women money to take sexually explicit photos of infants and prepubescent children whom they knew, and successfully persuaded three such women, who were subsequently charged with child pornography offenses, to send him photos depicting the sexual abuse of infants and prepubescent children. One such woman subsequently pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. A second is scheduled to plead guilty on Dec. 21. Both women are pleading guilty in the Northern District of Illinois, and charges against a third woman were dismissed in the Northern District of Indiana because she died during the course of the prosecution.
In an interview with the FBI, Johnson admitted that he had also solicited the production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from other Facebook users as a means of blackmail. Evidence presented at trial showed Johnson asked one woman to produce CSAM so he could “hold something over her head.” In addition, Facebook records admitted into evidence showed Johnson discussing the sexual abuse of children with his co-conspirators and threatening to “expose” them if they did not agree to produce CSAM.
Johnson was previously convicted in 2009 in Illinois of aggravated sexual abuse involving a minor.
“As the jury unanimously found, Lorenzo Johnson repeatedly persuaded vulnerable women to sexually exploit infants and young children,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s sentence sends a strong message that offenders who target vulnerable members of our society, and especially children, will be brought to justice.”
“Lorenzo Johnson’s criminal conduct merits the lengthy sentence that the judge imposed today,” said U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana. “Manipulating vulnerable women into producing pornographic images of voiceless children is despicable criminal behavior. I want to thank all our law enforcement partners for their hard work rendering justice in this case.”
“This sentence demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to identifying sexual predators and investigating these type of cases with a sense of urgency to ensure those who victimize our most vulnerable members of society pay the price with time in prison,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office. “As a result of the tireless work of the FBI and our law enforcement partners, Johnson no longer poses a threat to the community.”
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Trial Attorney Eduardo Palomo of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly Kelley and Abizer Zanzi of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana prosecuted the case, with valuable assistance provided by Jill Koster, former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Mishawaka Man Sentenced to 84 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Antonio Wells, 32 years old, of Mishawaka, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Robert L. Miller after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Wells was sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in April of 2021, Wells was on the grounds of a hospital in South Bend when he tried to hide a loaded firearm in a hospital parking garage. Wells has several prior convictions for firearms-related offenses, including for firing a gun at an occupied car.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Schultz.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
###
Mishawaka, Indiana Man Sentenced to 15 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Stephen Jacob Lee Johnson, 49 years old, of Mishawaka, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Johnson was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, on October 5, 2019, Officers in LaGrange, Indiana attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a motorcycle driven by Johnson. However, Johnson led the Officers on a high-speed chase at speeds over 100 miles per hour before crashing his motorcycle over an embankment. In a search incident to arrest, Officers found a one-pound package of methamphetamine in Johnson’s coat pocket. At the time of this incident, Johnson had a prior conviction for Robbery, a serious violent felony.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the LaGrange Police Department and the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah E. Nokes and Stacey Speith.
###
Gary Tax Return Preparer Sentenced to Prison and Ordered to Pay over $1 Million in RestitutionRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Dorian L. Hall, 47, of Gary, Indiana was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon today following his June 2021 guilty plea for aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return and filing a false tax return, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Hall was sentenced to 39 months in prison, 1 year of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $1,053,549.95 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
According to court documents, Hall operated a tax return preparation business from 2014-2016. He prepared tax returns for clients in which he fabricated income numbers to maximize the Earned Income Tax Credit and provided false information to obtain a refundable education credit. By falsifying returns in this manner, Hall’s clients received tax refunds from the IRS in excess of what they were entitled to receive. Hall charged a fee for preparing each return, typically around $1,000.
During the 2014-2016 timeframe, Hall filed over 300 fraudulent tax returns, including his own. He received hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees for the returns he filed and he also did not declare that income to the IRS. Hall’s conduct caused a loss to U.S. taxpayers of over $1,000,000.
Hall had previously pled guilty to criminal tax charges in November 2015 and was sentenced in April 2016. After learning that he was under investigation by the IRS, he opened 15 new bank accounts to support his tax preparation activities while claiming to have ceased his operations. After being sent to prison, the IRS uncovered his additional tax preparation activities, resulting in the new charges and the sentence imposed today.
This case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra McTague.
###
Fort Wayne, Indiana Man Sentenced to 211 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Antonio Armour, 34 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl and fentanyl analogue and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Armour was sentenced to 211 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, on June 15, 2021, law enforcement served a federal search warrant at Armour’s Fort Wayne residence, from which he had sold narcotics on multiple occasions. During the search, officers found over 100 grams of methamphetamine and over 300 grams of a substance containing fentanyl and an analogue of fentanyl. Officers located several loaded firearms in the residence, including multiple 9 mm handguns, an AK-style pistol and an AR-15 rifle. Officers located other items consistent with drug dealing activity, including plastic baggies, multiple digital scales, a cutting agent, several cell phones and $75,000 in U.S. currency.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Fort Wayne Police Department, Indiana State Police and Allen County Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Geller and Sarah Nokes.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
###
Chicago Woman SentencedRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Taniya Williams, 22, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon DeGuilio after pleading guilty to the felony offense of making false statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Williams was sentenced to 5 months in prison, 5 months home detention and 1 year of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on November 12, 2020, Williams purchased a semi-automatic pistol from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Lake County, Indiana. At the time of the purchase, Williams, a Chicago resident under felony indictment for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, falsely stated that she was an Indiana resident and that she did not have any pending felony charges against her. These false statements were in violation of federal law. Williams was subsequently convicted of felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in Illinois.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives along with the Chicago Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Padilla.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
East Chicago Man SentencedRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Denear Scott, 32, of East Chicago, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to making false statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Scott was sentenced to 12 months in prison followed by 1 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, between May and December 2020, Scott purchased a total of 13 handguns from licensed firearms dealers in Lake County, Indiana. In each of the transactions, Scott falsely certified on federal forms that he was not an unlawful drug user, when, in fact, Scott regularly used marijuana. Two of the firearms purchased by Scott were recovered by the Chicago Police Department during traffic stops of other individual within six months of the date of purchase.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Chicago Police Department, the East Chicago Police Department, and the New Chicago Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Padilla.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Justice Department Awards More Than $17.5 Million to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice announced today that it has awarded more than $17.5 million in grants to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. Funding will support efforts across the country to address violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute was awarded $135,586 to administer PSN grant funds in the Northern District of Indiana.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), part of the department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will administer the 88 grant awards, which are being made to designated fiscal agents to support local PSN projects that work in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.
“This latest Project Safe Neighborhoods grant is critical to addressing the violent crime threatening cities and towns all across our country,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Ensuring the safety of all Americans is the highest priority for the Department of Justice, but when it comes to violent crime, there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. We have to work closely with local public safety agencies as well as community organizations to craft individual strategies unique to each community’s needs. Programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods and the funding it provides allow us to do just that.”
"The Department of Justice directed all U.S. Attorney Offices to focus efforts on the reduction of violent crime," said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. "The appropriated Project Safe Neighborhoods funding will assist local communities in gun and gang violence reduction initiatives."
Grant funds will support regional violent crime reduction and community building initiatives. These initiatives will be focused on firearm and gang related violence. With approval from BJA, the Fiscal Agent will begin the process of making subawards for PSN grant projects.
“Investing in our communities, supporting victims and building a justice system that both keeps people safe and earns their trust – these are mutually reinforcing goals that stand at the heart of Project Safe Neighborhoods,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon for OJP. “The Office of Justice Programs is pleased to join with our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, and with jurisdictions across the country, as we work together to meet the challenges of crime and violence and achieve our shared aspirations of public safety and community trust.”
In May 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced a new effort to reduce violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. Integral to that effort was the reinvigoration of PSN, a two-decade old evidence-based and community-oriented program focused on reducing violent crime. The updated PSN approach, outlined in the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime issued by Deputy Attorney General Monaco, is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
This fall, U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country have enhanced their violent crime reduction efforts to ensure alignment with the department’s comprehensive violent crime reduction strategy. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices have engaged in outreach to law enforcement and other agencies and organizations serving communities to identify the most significant drivers of violence in their districts. Working together with a broad coalition of stakeholders, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are addressing the most pressing violent crime issues in their district to make our neighborhoods safer for all.
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies, community stakeholders and other agencies and organizations that work to reduce violent crime.
For a list of all grantees, please visit: LINK HERE.
###
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
East Chicago Man Sentenced to 57 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Deshalon France, 30, of East Chicago, 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 Clifford D. Johnson.
France was sentenced to 57 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on November 4, 2020, France was stopped by the East Chicago Police Department during an investigation of shots fired in the area. At the time, France possessed a stolen nine-millimeter, semi-automatic pistol loaded with thirty-three rounds of ammunition in an extended magazine. France had previously been convicted of the felony offenses of fraud and attempted trafficking of contraband in a penal institution. In addition, his criminal history revealed that he had two prior misdemeanor convictions for carrying a handgun without a license and three prior misdemeanor convictions for resisting law enforcement.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Indiana HIDTA Task Force, and the East Chicago Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas R. Mahoney.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
A Bankruptcy Petition Preparer in Goshen, Indiana was SentencedRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Ronya Phillips, age 47, of Goshen, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty upon her plea of guilty to two counts of suborning perjury, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Phillips was sentenced to serve 18 months home detention.
According to documents in this case, Phillips was formerly a bankruptcy petition preparer (a “BPP”) in the Northern District of Indiana. In that capacity she prepared bankruptcy petitions and other documents for debtors who filed cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana.
As part of her guilty plea, Phillips admitted that she willfully suborned and procured individuals to commit perjury by submitting materially false declarations in federal bankruptcy proceedings. Certain debtors and clients of Phillips reported that she had induced them to falsely state on their bankruptcy documents that they had paid her half of the amount they had actually paid her for her services. Phillips also persuaded her clients to testify falsely under oath as to how much they had paid her when questioned by the bankruptcy trustee. Finally, Phillips herself submitted false sworn statements in disclosures which only disclosed half of the amount of money she actually had received from clients.
“The U.S. Attorney’s office will vigorously enforce federal laws that govern the conduct of persons participating in the bankruptcy system and, as this case shows, we will prosecute individuals whose conduct undermines the integrity of the bankruptcy process,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
“Abuse of the bankruptcy system by having consumers falsify documents and provide false testimony strikes at the very core of the integrity of the bankruptcy system, undermines public confidence in that system and is a practice against which consumers need to be protected,” stated Nancy J. Gargula, U.S. Trustee for Indiana, Central Illinois, and Southern Illinois. “I am grateful to U.S. Attorney Clifford Johnson and our law enforcement partners for their strong commitment to combating fraud and abuse in bankruptcy cases.”
The charges resulted from a referral by the U.S. Trustee for Indiana and Central and Southern Illinois (Region 10) to the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana. The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service in collaboration with the Northern Indiana Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group coordinated by the U.S. Trustee for Region 10. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke N. Reilander and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer W. Prokop from the U.S. Trustee’s Office.
###
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 15 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Larson Wuest, 30 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Wuest was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, in February of 2019, Wuest began chatting with an FBI Online Covert Employee (OCE) using various social media platforms. During their communications, Wuest sent nude photographs of a twelve-year-old girl to the OCE. The investigation later revealed that Wuest previously met this girl on another social media platform and had persuaded and enticed her to take the photographs and send them to him.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.
###
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 90 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Fredrick J. Morgan, Sr., 65 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to distribution of cocaine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Morgan Sr. was sentenced to 90 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on or about August 30, 2019, Morgan Sr. distributed 28 grams or more of crack cocaine to assist his co-defendant, son (Fredrick Morgan II) who was on home detention at the time.
Co-defendant, Fredrick Morgan II, was sentenced on November 9, 2021, to 30 years in prison.
This case was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of multiple local law enforcement agencies, including the Indiana State Police, Allen County Sheriff’s Department, Allen County Drug Task Force, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Huntington Police Department, Auburn Police Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacey R. Speith and Brent A. Ecenbarger.
This case was being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
###
Fort Wayne Man Convicted of Federal Gun and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE- Torrence Larry, 44, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was convicted of federal drug and gun charges on December 2, 2021, following a three-day jury trial before United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
According to documents in this case, in May and June of 2017, Larry sold cocaine and heroin from his residence while under investigation by law enforcement. In June of 2017, officers served a search warrant at Larry’s residence and located quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine. Officers also found additional evidence of drug dealing and a firearm possessed by Larry to facilitate and protect his drug trafficking.
Larry was convicted of all three dealing counts, as well as the single count for possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances. Larry was convicted of both gun charges. He was convicted of possession of a firearm based upon his previous armed bank robbery conviction in federal court and his state drug dealing conviction. The jury also found Larry guilty of possessing the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking offense.
Larry’s sentencing is scheduled for March 16, 2022. Any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the District Court Judge after consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratory, and the Indiana State Police Laboratory. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey R. Speith.
This case was being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Portage Woman Sentenced for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Jessica Guska (a/k/a Jessica Irvine, Jessica Brewer, Jessica Carrington and Jessica Hoggard), 43, Portage, Indiana was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio upon her plea of guilty to wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Guska was sentenced to 4 months in prison followed by 4 months home detention and 2 years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $29,490.34 in restitution to the victim of her offense.
According to documents in this case, Guska was the president of Cedar Lake-based Riptide Travel Softball, a competitive softball club for girls. Guska was responsible for managing Riptide Travel Softball’s finances. From August 2018, until approximately October 2019, Guska embezzled money meant for Riptide Travel Softball and used it to pay her personal expenses, including health care costs, air travel, vacations and property taxes.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Cedar Lake Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Molly Kelley and Diane Berkowitz.
###
Gary Woman Sentenced to 210 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Patricia Carrington, 48, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to kidnapping, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Carrington was sentenced to 210 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on the night of April 14, 2019, Carrington participated in the kidnapping of a woman hoping to elicit information concerning the whereabouts of a witness in her son’s upcoming criminal case. Carrington participated in forcing the victim into a car at gunpoint, blindfolding and duct-taping her, and driving her around. The victim was beaten and threatened when she would not provide the information. The victim was thereafter dragged from the car to an area behind a house where she was shot in the face and arm and left for dead. The victim survived the attack.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Gang Response Investigative Team with the assistance of the Gary Police Department, Indiana State Police, and Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas Mahoney and Michael Toth.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 180 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Richard Klaff, 48 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Klaff was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, Klaff distributed several ounces of methamphetamine in February 2020, and again in March of 2020.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.
###
South Bend Man Sentenced to 70 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Jason Cochran, 44 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Cochran was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on January 27, 2021, Cochran possessed over 50 grams of methamphetamine that he intended to distribute and had a large amount of cash. Cochran has three prior felony convictions and eight misdemeanor convictions.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the St. Joseph County Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer.
Zion, Illinois Man Sentenced to 60 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Andre Neal, 44 years old, of Zion, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to interstate travel in aid of racketeering, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Neal was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on July 23, 2020, Neal transported cocaine in interstate commerce in addition to over $100,000.00 cash from drug distribution activities. Neal has two prior felony convictions.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Domestic Highway Enforcement Group (DHE) and the Hobart Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer.
South Bend Man Sentenced to 51 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Steven Polito, 24 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Polito was sentenced to 51 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in April 2021, Polito possessed several firearms after having been previously convicted of a felony. One of those firearms was a semi-automatic capable of accepting a high-capacity magazine.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer.
This case was prosecuted as part of the South Bend Group Violence Intervention Program, a Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative (PSN). The PSN Program is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
###
Gary Man Sentenced 35 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Terryante Flournoy, 23, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon following his guilty plea arising out of Hobbs Act robbery offenses, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Flournoy pled guilty to attempted robbery affecting commerce and conspiracy to commit robbery affecting commerce. Flournoy, who possessed a firearm during the attempted Hobbs Act robbery and who, at that time, had prior felony convictions for theft and battery by bodily waste, also pled guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Flournoy was sentenced to 420 months (35 years) in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on November 24, 2019, in Gary, Indiana, Flournoy and his co-defendant planned the armed robbery of a pizza delivery driver by ordering a pizza to be delivered to a nearby abandoned house. When the delivery driver arrived Flournoy and his co-defendant approached his vehicle to commit the robbery. During the attempted robbery, Flournoy fired a shot from an AR-15 style rifle at the delivery man, striking and killing him. Flournoy and his co-defendant fled the crime scene without completing the planned robbery.
This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Gang Response Investigative Team, the Gary Police Department, and the Lake County Metropolitan Homicide Unit, with the assistance of the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick and Caitlin M. Padula.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced for Theft of MailRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – George T. Oliver, Jr., 39 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to theft of mail, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Oliver was sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in early 2021, Oliver was apprehended after a brief pursuit with law enforcement. At the time of his apprehension, law enforcement recovered 269 pieces of stolen mail from 236 different victims.
This case was investigated by the United Postal Inspection Service with the assistance of multiple local law enforcement agencies, including the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, and the Columbia City Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brent Ecenbarger.
###
Convicted Child Molester and Pedophile Sentenced to 15 Years of ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Michael Christianson, 52, of LaPorte, Indiana, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon upon his plea of guilty to three counts of transporting obscene materials, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Christianson was sentenced to 180 months (15 years) in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, between on or about June 22, 2019, and July 2, 2019, Christianson used a computer to submit three books that contained obscene content to a publisher in North Carolina. Specifically, the books Christianson had authored, contained photos of children’s genitals and children engaged in sexual activity.
Christianson authored the books while being a registered sex offender. He was previously convicted of child molestation in LaPorte County, Indiana in 2003, for sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy. In his pro se filings with this Court, Defendant proclaimed himself to be a “virtuous pedosexual”.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Kelley and former Northern District of Indiana Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Koster.
Justice Department Announces $139 Million for Law Enforcement Hiring to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice today announced more than $139 million in grant funding through the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The awards provide direct funding to 183 law enforcement agencies across the nation, allowing those agencies to hire 1,066 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. In the Northern District of Indiana three (3) cities/towns were awarded funding totaling $370,639.
“We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The grants we are announcing today will enable law enforcement agencies across the country to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vitally important community oriented policing programs.”
“The awards announced today will benefit residents of the Northern District by putting additional officers on the street,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
The following city and towns in the Northern District of Indiana received awards:
- City of Crown Point in Lake County received $125,000;
- Town of Cedar Lake in Lake County received $125,000; and
- Town of LaPaz, in Marshall County received $120,369.
CHP is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Of the 183 agencies awarded grants today, approximately half will use the funding to focus on building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 41 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 21 will focus on other areas of violence; and 19 will focus CHP resources on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting police-based responses to persons in crisis. The complete list of awards can be found here.
Since its creation in 1994, COPS has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and Tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 135,000 officers. CHP, COPS’ flagship program, continues to be in demand today: In FY21, COPS received 590 applications requesting nearly 3,000 law enforcement positions. For FY22, President Biden has requested $537 million for CHP, an increase of $300 million.
To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp-award. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/.
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Department of Justice agency with policing in its name, the COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to organization for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served.
###
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 300 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Mark A. Holbrook, II, 43 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm by felon, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Holbrook was sentenced to 300 months (25 years) in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on July 26, 2018, Holbrook was stopped by the Warsaw Police Department for a traffic infraction. At that time, Holbrook was in possession of over 17 grams of methamphetamine in individual bags, along with scales. Thereafter, on March 23, 2019, Holbrook was stopped by the Winona Lake Police Department and at that time was in possession of over 6 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm. Holbrook admitted to officers that he was selling drugs to make a living.
Holbrook had previously been convicted of several felony offenses, including Burglary, Theft, Criminal Recklessness, Possession of Chemical Reagents or Precursors with the Intent to Manufacture, Dealing in Methamphetamine, Conspiracy to Commit Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Criminal Gang Activity, making his possession of a firearm illegal.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with multiple local law enforcement agencies, including the Warsaw Police Department, the Winona Lake Police Department, and the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.
This case was being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
###
Ohio Man Sentenced to 110 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Jonathan L. Wells, 48 years old, of Hicksville, Ohio, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a felon, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Wells was sentenced to 110 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on May 10, 2020, Wells was pulled over by law enforcement. During that stop, the officer saw baggies of drugs in plain view, which were later confirmed to contain 23 grams of methamphetamine. Wells had over $1,000 cash on his person despite being unemployed since 2012. Text messages found on Wells’ phone confirmed his drug dealing activities. Officers also located a loaded .40 caliber handgun under Wells’ seat and he admitted to being a convicted felon. Wells criminal history reveals he has been convicted of prior offenses involving drugs, violence and property crimes.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with the assistance of the Butler Police Department and the Auburn Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah Nokes and Brent Ecenbarger.
This case was being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
###
Gary Man Sentenced to 36 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Austin Williams, 28, of Gary, 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 Clifford D. Johnson.
Williams was sentenced to 36 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on November 18, 2020, in Hobart, Indiana, law enforcement executed a search warrant on a residence and recovered a firearm possessed by Williams at that residence. Williams has prior felony convictions for intimidation, dealing in a controlled substance, and attempted theft. His criminal history reveals he also has six prior misdemeanor convictions, to include domestic battery, possession of a controlled substance, and visiting a common nuisance.
This case was the result of the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Gang Response Investigative Team and the Hobart Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Padula.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.