Northern District of Indiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Lafayette Man Charged in Criminal ComplaintRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Geoffrey Martin, 37, of Lafayette, Indiana, was charged in a criminal complaint with distribution of methamphetamine and with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of an elementary school, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
The criminal complaint alleges that Martin distributed approximately 7 grams of methamphetamine in Rensselaer on August 20, 2019. On August 28, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant on his Lafayette residence and recovered an additional 129 gross grams of methamphetamine from a vehicle in the driveway of Martin’s residence, which is located less than 1,000 feet from Vinton Elementary School.
U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “Illegal drug use damages communities of all sizes. Joint operations and partnerships with our Federal, State and Local law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute those who promote these illegal activities will continue."
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation and that all persons are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Lafayette Drug Task Force, Jasper County Drug Task Force, and White County Drug Task Force. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Padilla.
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Fort Wayne Woman Sentenced to 156 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE- Bronte Milton, 27, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Theresa Springmann after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and crack cocaine along with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Milton was sentenced to a total of 156 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, Milton was dealing drugs and operating a drug distribution house in Fort Wayne from October of 2017 through March of 2018. In March of 2018, law enforcement officers served a search warrant at her drug house and located several loaded firearms and distribution quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department and the Indiana State Police. This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacey R. Speith and Anthony Geller.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 168 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE- Joshua Ferguson, 34, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Holly Brady after pleading guilty to maintaining a drug-involved premises and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Ferguson was sentenced to 168 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents filed in this case, in June of 2018, a search warrant was sought and executed for his residence based on an investigation which revealed Ferguson dealing methamphetamine and possessing illegal firearms. Ferguson was not home at the time of the search but his vehicle was later located and stopped by police. During the stop, law enforcement recovered methamphetamine and marijuana as well a digital scale and plastic baggies that are commonly used to package narcotics. A handgun was also found in the vehicle which Ferguson admitted he had for protection during drug dealing.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Indiana State Police and Fort Wayne Police Department. This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 159 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Juan DeLaCruz, age 29, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Holly Brady after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
DeLaCruz was sentenced to 159 months in prison, with no supervised release to follow. DeLaCruz was in the United States illegally, and he will be deported after his prison term.
According to documents in this case, DeLaCruz and two codefendants were distributing large amounts of heroin and methamphetamine, and DeLaCruz personally possessed three pistols in furtherance of his drug dealing.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the United States Postal Inspection Service; the Allen County Drug Task Force; and the Allen County Police Department. This case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony W. Geller.
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Former Genesis Convention Center Employee ChargedRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Victoria Wilson, age 52, of Portage, Indiana, was charged by Information with one count of theft from a local government entity receiving federal funds, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
According to the Information, between February 2017 and February 2018, Wilson was employed by the Genesis Convention Center, a venue owned by the City of Gary, Indiana, as its bookkeeper and later as interim Executive Director. The Information alleges that between March and October 2017, Wilson used her position to steal over $10,000 in cash from the Genesis Center.
The parties have entered into a plea agreement to resolve this criminal charge. Under this signed plea agreement, which has been filed with the court, if accepted by the court, would require Wilson to pay $12,727 in restitution to the City of Gary.
U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “Public corruption cannot and will not be tolerated at any level. My office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue matters involving public corruption. I encourage anyone with information concerning corrupt public officials to contact my office or the FBI.”
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an Information is merely an allegation and that all persons are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in court. If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of Indiana State Police and the Indiana State Board of Accounts. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abizer Zanzi.
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Auburn Man Sentenced to 60 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – David Lee Wirges, age 39, of Auburn, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Theresa L. Springmann after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and selling a firearm to a felon, announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Wirges was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and the judgment included forfeiture of $1,546.00 in United States currency.
According to documents in the case, in March of 2018, a confidential informant made controlled buys of heroin from Wirges at his Auburn, Indiana residence at a time when Wirges was out on bond from drug charges pending against him in Dekalb County Superior Court. During the federal investigation, Wirges also sold a .380 caliber firearm to the confidential informant even though Wirges knew the confidential informant was a convicted felon.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Auburn Police Department. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Tina Nommay.
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Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 204 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Dorrion Jefferson, age 35, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Holly Brady after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Jefferson was sentenced to 204 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, a confidential informant and an undercover agent made several controlled buys of heroin and cocaine from Mr. Jefferson. Jefferson also agreed to deliver four ounces of methamphetamine to the undercover agent. He was stopped by law enforcement prior to the transaction with over 100 grams of methamphetamine inside the vehicle. Due to his prior drug dealing convictions, Jefferson was sentenced as a career offender under the sentencing guidelines.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Indiana State Police with the assistance of the DHS Customs and Border Protection Agency and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.
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Chicago Man Sentenced to 154 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Vincent E. Prunty, age 35, of Chicago, Illinois was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge James T. Moody for wire fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Prunty was sentenced to 154 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay over $180,000 in restitution to various financial institutions and retailers.
Prunty pled guilty to wire fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft. According to documents in this case, Prunty’s scheme involved the theft of the personal identifying information of victims in more than 10 states and Canada. Prunty and co-defendants stole some of the victims’ information from a hospital in Arizona. The stolen records included birth dates, social security numbers, addresses, telephone numbers, employment information, insurance carriers, treating physicians, and information about the people the victims listed as emergency contacts. Prunty and others opened fraudulent credit cards, bank accounts, and retail credit accounts on-line. In some instances, Prunty added himself as an authorized user on existing victim accounts.
The case was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Toi Denise Houston.
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South Bend, Indiana Man SentencedRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND - Jeffrey Stoneburner II, age 38, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced before South Bend District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after his guilty plea to transportation of child pornography, announced U.S Attorney Kirsch.
Mr. Stoneburner was sentenced to 78 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution to the child victims.
According to documents in this case, in August of 2018, Mr. Stoneburner sent thirteen images and videos depicting child pornography to another person through an online chat. Mr. Stoneburner admitted that the images and videos he sent depicted child pornography.
This case was investigated by the FBI with the assistance of the St. Joseph County Cyber Crimes Unit. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Maciejczyk.
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Fort Wayne Man Ordered to Pay $566,618.50 in RestitutionRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Robin C. Opper, age 36, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Holly Brady after pleading guilty to wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Opper was sentenced to 12 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Opper was ordered to pay $566,618.50 in restitution.
“This is one of the last defendants to be sentenced in an massive fraud scheme involving federal charges against 31 former BAE employees arising out of false submissions for reimbursement from the employer’s tuition assistance program. All 31 defendants have been convicted of various charges of wire fraud and ordered to pay restitution to BAE for its loss which, as a result of the scheme, totaled $806,241.09. We, along with our law enforcement partners take financial fraud seriously and will take measures to obtain restitution for the victim of these offenses,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
"This sentence sends a clear message that the FBI will aggressively pursue those who commit financial fraud and vigorously investigate this criminal activity,” said Grant Mendenhall, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to use all the resources at our disposal to ensure those who believe they can profit from defrauding others face the full consequences of their actions.”
According to documents in the case, between June 13, 2013 and April 25, 2016, while employed at BAE Systems in Fort Wayne, Opper devised a scheme to defraud his employer. The scheme was used to obtain fraudulent reimbursement payment from BAE’s tuition assistance program. Opper perpetrated the scheme by submitting false documentation regarding college course enrollment in order to obtain reimbursement for tuition payments for courses he was neither registered for nor completed. In addition, Opper recruited other employees to participate in the scheme and provided them with fraudulent documentation so that they too could receive payments to which they were not entitled. Opper required those employees whom he recruited to pay him a fee for his assistance. Opper received $37,500 from BAE for fraudulent tuition reimbursements for himself and BAE paid $529,118.50 to other employees that Opper recruited into the fraud scheme.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.
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LaPorte Man Charged with Transportation of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent In Charge Grant Mendenhall in coordination with LaPorte County Prosecutor John Lake announced that Michael Christianson, age 50, of LaPorte, Indiana was charged with transportation of child pornography.
The criminal complaint alleges that on or about July 2, 2019 FBI Agents from the Charlotte Division responded to a complaint by a book publisher about material contained inside three books submitted for publication and authored by Mr. Christianson. The lead was distributed to Indiana FBI agents. The books appear to be geared toward children as they use large fonts, simple words, and most of the sentences rhyme. The books explain and show images of the body parts of boys and girls, encourage and show images of children playing naked with one another, and encourage and show images of naked children playing with adults, including naked adults. The forms of “play” encouraged by the books include hand to genital and genital to genital contact. The photographs and illustrations in the books include depictions of minor children being caused to lasciviously display their genitals or otherwise engage in sexually explicit conduct.
Mr. Christianson was convicted of child molesting in 2002 and was sentenced to serve 30 years in prison and register as Sexually Violent Predator for the rest of his life. He was released from prison in 2016 and was still on probation at the time of the newly charged offense.
Any members of the public who have information regarding any contact Mr. Christianson has had with minor children are encouraged to call the FBI at (219) 942-4900.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation and that all persons are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Gang Response Investigative Team in coordination with the Indiana State Police, the Michigan City Police Department, the Lake County Illinois State’s Attorney’s Office and the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jill R. Koster.
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Fort Wayne Man Convicted After 4-Day Jury TrialRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Shawn Bacon, 39, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was convicted after a four-day jury trial before U.S. District Court Judge Holly Brady of two counts of possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances to include more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and more than 400 grams of fentanyl found in his house and more than 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine found in his car, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, maintaining a drug involved premises, possessing a destructive device and a short barreled rifle not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, possessing body armor after having been convicted of a crime of violence, and possessing in furtherance of and carrying during and in relation to the drug trafficking offenses, firearms to include destructive devices, more particularly explosive bombs and a short barreled rifle, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
According to the documents in this case, Bacon, was initially charge by way of a federal complaint, in December 2017 with multiple federal drug and firearm charges which resulted from a search warrant conducted on his residence and his vehicle. The execution of the search warrant resulted in the seizure of 22 firearms, some stolen, found in his car and residence, despite the fact that he had been convicted of at least 4 prior felony convictions. Bacon had many high capacity magazines, body armor, and various rounds of ammunition in this residence. There were destructive devices, more particularly pipe bombs, and a short barreled rifle in his possession that were not registered through the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Bacon also had larger quantities of narcotics (methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and marijuana) in his possession which were amounts consistent with distribution and not personal consumption. During the arrest process on the complaint, investigators photographed Bacon’s Aryan Brotherhood tattoos. As required under federal criminal procedures, Bacon was charged by way of an 8 count Superseding Indictment on July 10, 2019, on the gun, drug, and body armor charges on which he proceeded to trial.
This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives Fort Wayne Resident Office Agents, ATF Explosives Technology Branch, ATF Forensic Chemistry Laboratory, with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department, Fort Wayne Police Department Vice and Narcotics Division, and the Indiana State Police. The case was prosecuted by Northern District of Indiana Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesly Miller-Lowery.
Diquan Ray Sentenced and Ordered to pay $114,539.17 in RestitutionRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Diquan Ray, 24 years old, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty, announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Ray received a sentence of 6 months imprisonment and was ordered to pay $114,539.17 in restitution to Cook County, Illinois; City of Hammond, Indiana; City of East Chicago, Indiana; and the City of South Holland, Illinois.
According to documents in the case, Ray pled guilty to the one-count Indictment charging Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property. On September 28 and 29, 2018, Ray and his co-defendant, Jossean Echevarria, stole copper wire from a forest preserve in Cook County, Illinois and transported it to the State of Indiana. As part of the plea agreement, Ray agreed to pay restitution for additional copper wire thefts in Hammond and East Chicago, Indiana and South Holland, Illinois.
This case was investigated by the FBI GRIT Task Force, Hammond Police Department, Lansing (Illinois) Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang.
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South Bend, Indiana Man SentencedRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND - Joshua Banks, age 32, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced before South Bend District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio for felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Mr. Banks was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment followed by 1 year of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, Mr. Banks was supposed to be serving a sentence at a community corrections facility in South Bend, but instead stole a pick up and drove it until it ran out of gas. Police saw Mr. Banks walking along a street with a backpack and a gas can. Police tried to approach him, but Mr. Banks fled. Mr. Banks was eventually caught and arrested. After retracing Mr. Banks’ route, police located the backpack and gas can as well as a stolen handgun. Banks has five felony convictions, at least four of which involved violence or threats of violence, and eleven misdemeanor convictions. Banks has four pending state criminal cases when he was sentenced.
This case was investigated by ATF with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Gabrielse.
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South Bend, Indiana Man SentencedRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND - Nathan Winfield, age 21, South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. upon his plea of guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Mr. Winfield was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment followed by 1 year of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, in January 2019, a search warrant was executed at a South Bend residence where Mr. Winfield and others were located. During the search, crack cocaine, digital scales, and several loaded guns were found. A loaded AK-47 rifle with the stock sawed off was located in Winfield’s bedroom. The rifle was jointly purchased by Winfield and the others in the home. Winfield admitted to selling crack cocaine out of the residence and using the rifle to protect the drugs, proceeds of drug sales, and the people in the home where the drug dealing was occurring.
This case is being investigated by the ATF with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Gabrielse.
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Illinois Man Convicted After Jury Trial Sentenced to 3 Years’ ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Airrion Blake, 41, of Lansing, Illinois was sentenced before U.S. District Court Joseph S. Van Bokkelen after being convicted during a 3-day jury trial of one count of submitting a false claim to the federal government and one count of theft of government money, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Blake was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment followed by 2 years’ supervised release.
According to court records, Blake stole $149,358.35 from the federal government. Blake filed a false trusts and estates tax return in October 2012 in which he provided fictitious figures for his income, deductions, and tax withholdings, and falsely claimed a refund of $149,358.35. He received a refund based on his filing, deposited the check at a Munster, Indiana bank, and proceeded to spend the funds. Blake repeated his scheme several other times seeking a total of over $1 million of tax-payer money, but those other attempts were denied by the IRS.
This case was handled by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alexandra McTague and Nathaniel Whalen.
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Granger, Indiana Man Sentenced to over 5 Years in Prison and Ordered to Pay over $1.6 Million in RestitutionRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – A former South Bend senior executive at a Mishawaka business has been sentenced to 63 months in federal prison and 1 year of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $1,666,721.10 in restitution for devising a scheme to defraud his former employer, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
James Cotton, age 58, of Granger, Indiana, was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr., upon his plea of guilty to wire fraud that was entered earlier this year. He admitted that from approximately January 2009 to October 2017, he devised a fraud scheme to obtain money from his employer by means of false representations. In particular, Mr. Cotton created five sham businesses which did not have any actual employees and did not engage in any actual legitimate business activity. Mr. Cotton then fabricated fake invoices from these five sham businesses and sent those invoices to his employer to obtain payment for purported goods and services. Mr. Cotton approved the sham invoices on behalf of his employer, which then issued payment checks for each invoice. Mr. Cotton obtained the checks, deposited them into bank accounts opened in the names of the sham businesses, and then withdrew the money from these accounts for his own personal use and benefit.
“The amount of Mr. Cotton’s fraud is staggering, with over $1.6 million in loss to his employer. With the great work of the FBI, we were able to bring this case to a successful conclusion with an order of restitution and significant jail time,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
"We expect the people we work with to be honest and trustworthy, but Mr. Cotton chose to betray his employer’s trust for his own financial gain,” said Grant Mendenhall, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to investigate cases such as this to ensure those who take advantage of others through illegal and criminal behavior are held accountable.”
This case was investigated by the FBI and handled by Assistant United States Attorney Luke N. Reilander.
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Camari Stinson Sentenced to 123 Months ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Camari Stinson, 32 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Holly Brady after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, distributing cocaine and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Stinson was sentenced to123 months’ imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, between December 29, 2014 and February 25, 2015, Stinson was in possession of a .40 caliber firearm after having previously being convicted of a felony and on January 29, 2015, Stinson distributed cocaine and carried a firearm during the commission of that offense.
This case was investigated by The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with the assistance of the Indiana State Police Department and the Fort Wayne Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.
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South Bend, Indiana Man SentencedRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND - Dedric Strickland, age 41, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. upon his plea of guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Mr. Strickland was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, in January 2019, a search warrant was executed at a South Bend residence where Mr. Strickland and others were located. During the search, crack cocaine and a loaded handgun were found in the room where Mr. Strickland was staying. A loaded AK-47 rifle with the stock sawed off was located in a room on the first floor of the home. Mr. Strickland admitted to selling crack cocaine out of the residence. Strickland used these firearms to protect the drugs, proceeds of drug sales, and the people at the house where the drug dealing was taking place.
This case is being investigated by the ATF with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Gabrielse.
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Ligonier, Indiana Man Sentenced 70 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Billy J. Moore, age 32, of Ligonier, Indiana, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, possessing an unregistered destructive device, and distributing methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Mr. Moore was sentenced to 70 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, Moore sold unregistered destructive devices, or “zip guns,” on two occasions to an individual, and when search warrants were served later in the investigation, Moore possessed at least 10 firearms and approximately 11,000 rounds of ammunition as a convicted felon. Also during the investigation, Moore sold methamphetamine to an individual.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Allen County Drug Task Force. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Geller.
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Jayson Lane Sentenced to 110 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Jayson Lane, 41 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Holly Brady after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Lane was sentenced to 110 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on September 11, 2017, Lane was in possession of a firearm after having previously being convicted of felony offenses, including Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Robbery and Burglary.
This case was investigated by The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with the assistance of the Indiana State Police Department and the Wells County Sheriff’s Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.
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Gary Man Sentenced to 60 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Joseph Taylor, 35, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced before District Court Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen following his plea of guilty to possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon and distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Taylor received a sentence of 60 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents filed in this case, in Portage, Indiana in July 2018, Taylor possessed a short barreled shotgun following a prior felony conviction for burglary. In August 2018, in Michigan City, Indiana, Taylor distributed more than 5 grams of methamphetamine to another individual.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with the assistance of the Michigan City Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. McGrath.
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Ashley, Indiana Man Sentenced 102 Months ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Adam Getts, 32 years old, of Ashley, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a frug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Getts was sentenced to 102 months imprisonment followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on March 9, 2018, Getts was found in possession of five grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. On the same date, Getts was also found in possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, Waterloo Police Department and Auburn Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah Nokes and Anthony Geller.
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Kouts Woman Indicted for Willful Failure to Pay Federal Payroll TaxesRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Kathy L. Lynch, age 61, of Kouts, Indiana, was indicted on nine counts of willful failure to pay federal payroll taxes, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
The Indictment alleged that Lynch has owned and operated two health care clinics, Kouts Health Care, Inc. and its predecessor company Kouts Family Health Care, Inc. since January 1999. As alleged in the Indictment, between January 1999 and September 2015, Lynch withheld payroll taxes (i.e., federal income taxes and Medicare and Social Security contribution taxes) from her employees’ paychecks but failed to submit over $500,000 of the withheld taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. During this time, the Indictment alleges that Lynch used her company’s bank account to pay personal expenses such as mortgage and car payments, while failing to pay her federal payroll tax obligations.
U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “This indictment should send a strong message to those attempting to cheat the tax system. We always will partner with the IRS to focus on egregious tax violations in this District.”
“The failure to pay over withheld taxes from their employees is a serious allegation. IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to track down those who collect these taxes and use the funds for personal gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Tara Sullivan of the Chicago Field Office."
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abizer Zanzi.
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Markquise Harris Sentenced to 60 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Markquise Harris, 19 years old, of East Chicago, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen on his plea of guilty to Hobbs Act Robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Harris was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,449.99.
According to documents in the case, on August 1, 2017, Harris and three others, robbed a wireless cell phone store located at Ridge Road and Calumet Avenue in Munster, Indiana. Two of the robbers brandished guns during the robbery, which took place around 5:00pm when customers and employees were inside the store.
This case was investigated by the FBI GRIT Task Force in conjunction with Munster, Gary, and Griffith Police Departments and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang.
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South Bend, Indiana Man Sentenced to 5 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Michael Clark, age 20, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. upon his plea of guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Mr. Clark was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, in January 2019, a search warrant was executed at a South Bend residence where Mr. Clark and others were located. During the search, 4 firearms were located, several being loaded. An amount of Cocaine base (crack) was found during the search. During an interview, Mr. Clark admitted that he owned a 9mm handgun that was found in the bedroom of the house he occupied. He also admitted that he purchased an AK-47 variant rifle, with others, for protection of the drugs, profits and people at the house where his drug dealing was taking place.
The case was investigated by the ATF with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.
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Elkhart, Indiana Man Sentenced to 47 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Rex Hammond, age 55, of Elkhart, Indiana, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. upon his conviction after a 4-day jury trial in April. Mr. Hammond was convicted on 5 counts of Hobbs Act Robbery, 2 counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and 1 count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Mr. Hammond was sentenced to 564 months in prison and ordered to pay $2,630 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “Hammond’s lengthy sentence should serve as a reminder to all violent criminals that we will seek appropriate punishment for their crimes. Hammond changed the lives of innocent victims forever with reckless acts of violence. Thanks to the work of all our law enforcement partners, he will essentially serve the rest of his life behind bars.”
“This investigation and prosecution is another example of holding an armed career criminal accountable for the violence perpetrated by this defendant over many years,” stated Special Agent in Charge Tim Jones, of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Chicago Field Division. “ATF is proud to work alongside our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in these important cases, and I hope keeping this defendant off the street will also help the community reclaim its neighborhood and feel safer.”
"This sentence send a strong and clear message that violence such as this, that puts innocent people at risk and instills fear in our communities, won't be tolerated," said Grant Mendenhall, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Indianapolis Division. "Keeping our communities safe has always been a top priority for the FBI and our law enforcement partners and this sentence demonstrates our continued commitment to identify and arrest violent criminals and hold them accountable."
According to documents in this case, Mr. Hammond went on a robbery spree from October 6 through October 27, 2017. During this spree he acquired, brandished, and lost firearms all while intimidating, threatening, and restraining victims of these various robberies. As part of his robbery spree, he robbed gas stations and a liquor store located in Logansport, Peru, Auburn, and Decatur, Indiana. Before committing the armed robberies involved in this federal trial, Mr. Hammond already had five felony convictions for armed robbery, robbery, or attempted armed robbery convictions. In fact, Hammond has spent the majority of the past 40 years robbing people or serving prison time for doing exactly that.
The case was investigated by ATF; FBI; Indiana State Police; Logansport Police Department; Peru Police Department; Auburn Police Department; Portage, Michigan Department of Public Safety; Kalamazoo, Michigan Department of Public Safety; Decatur Police Department; and Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. Additional assistance was provided by the following agencies: Cass County Prosecutor’s Office; Miami County Prosecutor’s Office; DeKalb County Prosecutor’s Office; Adams County Prosecutor’s Office; and Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Molly E. Donnelly and Luke N. Reilander.
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Chicago Woman Sentenced for Role as Leader of Sex Trafficking SchemeRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Rita Law, 60, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen today to serve 360 months in federal prison after being found guilty, following a 3-week jury trial in February 2017, of two counts of trafficking and servitude, one count of transporting a person across state lines with intent that they engage in prostitution, and one count of using an interstate facility to promote prostitution, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L Kirsch, II.
The trial evidence established that Law provided and obtained the labor and services of two victims, HV and XC, by means of a scheme to cause them to believe that if they did not perform the labor and services she demanded, they would suffer serious harm or physical restraint. Law was convicted of causing both women to work at her “spas” in northwest Indiana, where they were expected to and did engage in sexual acts in exchange for money with Law’s predominantly male clientele. Law’s businesses were “Duneland Spa” in Lake Station and Gary, Indiana and “Fun Fun Feet” in Hobart, Indiana. In sentencing Law, the court took into consideration her attempt to flee from the United States to Hong Kong in October 2013 after learning she was under investigation.
In announcing Law’s sentence, U.S. Attorney Kirsch described her offense conduct as “nothing short of diabolical.” “She used the American dream to lure unsuspecting women to the United States so she could enslave them for her own financial benefit.” Kirsch also said “My office’s willingness to extradite Rita Law from Hong Kong and pursue additional charges against her thereafter should serve as a warning to all those committing crime in the Northern District of Indiana – attempting to flee the country will not prevent my office from bringing you to justice.” “Sex trafficking of foreign and domestic victims will not be tolerated in the Northern District of Indiana as long as I am United States Attorney” he concluded.
“Let this sentence serve as a reminder that modern day slavery will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge James M. Gibbons, Homeland Security Investigations Chicago. “HSI will continue to work relentlessly with its law enforcement partners to bring those to justice who attempt to circumvent the law for financial gain.”
"This sentence cannot begin to compare to the trauma these victims were subjected to, and the life altering consequences they now face because they put their trust and faith in the defendant,” said Grant Mendenhall, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division. “The FBI will continue working with our law enforcement partners to aggressively identify and pursue the perpetrators of the devastating crime of human trafficking.”
This case resulted from a joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with assistance from the following additional law enforcement agencies: the Gary Indiana Police Department; the Oak Forest Illinois Police Department; the Hammond Indiana Police Department, the Hobart Indiana Police Department, the Lake Station Indiana Police Department, the Lake County Indiana Sheriff’s Office, the Indiana State Police, the United States Marshal’s Service, the Hong Kong Police and the HSI Hong Kong Attaché.
U.S. Attorney Thomas Kirsch, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge James Gibbons, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Grant Mendenhall also thanked the following community organizations for providing services to HV and XC during the investigation and prosecution: Asian Human Services of Chicago, IL; Haven House of Hammond, IN; Cornerstone Community Outreach of Chicago, IL; and Heartland Alliance in Chicago, IL.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jill Koster and Abizer Zanzi.
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Latin King Gang Member Convicted at Trial of Conspiracy to Participate in Racketeering Activity, Including Two MurdersRead the Press Release
HAMMOND-Jeremiah Farmer, 38, of Hammond, Indiana, and a member of the Chicago-based Latin Kings street gang, was convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute illegal drugs ( cocaine, marijuana, and alprazolam) , announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Farmer was convicted after a ten-day jury trial before U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon. The jury found that Farmer, as part of the racketeering conspiracy, on June 25, 1999, beat Marion Lowry, 74, and Harvey Siegers, 67, to death with a hammer at their Hammond business, Calumet Auto Rebuilders. The jury also found that Farmer conspired to distribute or possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine as part of the racketeering conspiracy. The jury also found that Farmer conspired to distribute or possess with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana as part of the drug conspiracy.
U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “I am very pleased with the guilty verdict announced today and with the work of Assistant United States Attorneys David Nozick and Nicholas Padilla in presenting this case to the jury over the past several weeks. The victims’ families have waited a long time for this day. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute cases involving violent street gangs and senseless acts of gang violence and bring these criminal gang members to justice.”
Approximately 43 defendants have been charged with racketeering conspiracy as members of the Latin Kings street gang in a criminal conspiracy extending back to 1999. The racketeering conspiracy charge alleges that gang members and associates were participants in a racketeering conspiracy that involved murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, sex trafficking, and narcotics distribution.
This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the East Chicago Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Gary Police Department, the Hammond Police Department, the Lake County, Indiana, Sheriff’s Department and Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area officers and agents. The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Illinois, have also provided assistance. The Latin King racketeering case was prosecuted by Northern District of Indiana Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick and Nicholas J. Padilla
Ligonier, Indiana Man Sentenced to 87 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Phillip Yoder, age 41, of Ligonier, Indiana, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio on his guilty pleas to wire fraud, bank fraud, mail fraud and bankruptcy fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Yoder was sentenced to serve 87 months each on the mail fraud, bank fraud, and wire fraud counts, and 60 months on the bankruptcy fraud count, all to run concurrently. Yoder also was sentenced to two years of supervised release and ordered to pay a total of $581,386.04 in restitution.
According to his plea agreement, beginning in or about 2014 and continuing until in or about July 2015, Yoder and others, sometimes working through the entity, KOH Enterprises, LLC, defrauded persons via a “Foreclosure Rescue Scheme.” As part of the scheme to defraud, Yoder and others monitored foreclosure notices of properties, and would then approach distressed homeowners and convince them to transfer title of the property in exchange for false promises of being able to avoid further foreclosure obligations. They falsely represented to these homeowners that they would handle their mortgage arrearages and the foreclosure process. Because of these false representations, the homeowners vacated the property and transferred their interest in the property through a Quitclaim deed to business entities. Those entities then furthered the scheme by recording the Quitclaim at the local Recorder’s Office. However, the Quitclaim deed did not extinguish the homeowner’s outstanding mortgage debt. Yoder and others would use the mail to send a fraudulent document, entitled an “International Promissory Note”, purporting to satisfy the outstanding mortgage debt to the financial institution holding the mortgage. Simultaneously, Yoder and others would cause a fraudulent “Satisfaction of Mortgage” to be filed with the county recorder’s office in an attempt to discharge the mortgage. They would then convey another Quitclaim deed to an investor or purchaser of the properties, even though the property was still encumbered. The total loss to investors and insurers was $1,466,136.20.
With regard to the bankruptcy fraud, which resulted from a referral by the U.S. Trustee for Region 10, according to his plea agreement, on or about February 24, 2016, Yoder knowingly and fraudulently made a material false declaration, certificate and verification under the penalty of perjury in his bankruptcy proceeding. He claimed as an asset a “Billion dollar gold bond” when he knew that the purported bond was fraudulent and worthless. In his bankruptcy proceeding, Yoder claim $792,592.46 in debts.
“Creating a scheme that enriches the defendant while defrauding banks, insurers and average home owners, jeopardizes our financial system,” said U.S. Attorney Kirsch. “My Office in coordination with all our law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively prosecute these type of cases.”
“Everyone has the right to expect honest representation from those they do business with. Targeting homeowners with this type of fraudulent activity when they are already dealing with financial hardship is not only illegal but a violation of trust and won’t be tolerated by the FBI,” said Grant Mendenhall, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to investigate and pursue those who try to line their pockets at the expense of others and hold them accountable.”
HUD Special Agent in Charge Geary stated, “At such a critical time for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, with programs that are vital to the well-being of so many in our communities, it is critical that those resources are completely dedicated to those in need. The HUD Office of Inspector General is committed to partnering with Federal prosecutors and fellow law enforcement to aggressively pursue those engaged in activities that harm HUD’s Single Family housing programs.”
“Today’s sentence sends a strong message to those who abuse the bankruptcy system,” stated Nancy J. Gargula, United States Trustee for Indiana and Southern and Central Illinois (Region 10). “Providing false documents such as fictitious “bonds” to the United States Bankruptcy Court undermines the integrity of the system and will not be tolerated. We appreciate the commitment of U.S. Attorney Kirsch and our law enforcement partners to holding those who abuse the bankruptcy system accountable. We welcome information that will help detect fraud and abuse in the bankruptcy system and we encourage citizens to report suspected bankruptcy fraud through our Internet hotline at [email protected].” The United States Trustee Program is the component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General in collaboration with the Northern Indiana Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group coordinated by the U.S. Trustee. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney John M. Maciejczyk.
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20 Individuals Charged in Eight IndictmentsRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent In Charge Grant Mendenhall in coordination with Fort Wayne Chief Steve Reed, Allen County Sheriff David Gladieux and Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter announce charges in 8 indictments unsealed today.
These indictments focused on a number of drug distribution charges, with 20 individuals charged across the 8 indictments. Twelve (12) search warrants were also executed this morning in greater Fort Wayne as part of law enforcement efforts to arrest the indicted individuals.
In these indictments the following charges are alleged:
Jennifer Mendoza, age 24, and Luiza Gunn a/k/a Luiza Eldridge, age 26, both of Fort Wayne were each charged in a three (3) count indictment alleging the distribution of fentanyl.
Ivan Acosta a/k/a Ivan Acosta-Soto, age 35, and Juan Hernandez-Ortega, age 31, both of Fort Wayne were charged in a three (3) count indictment alleging the distribution of methamphetamine.
Ubaldo Peralta-Soto, age 25, of Indianapolis; Clemente Cortez, age 45, of Fort Wayne; and Nestor Luna-Lugo, age 34, of Fort Wayne were charged in a four (4) count indictment alleging conspiracy to distribute cocaine as well as the distribution of cocaine.
Juvenal Cervantes-Cruz, age 25, of Red Bluff, CA along with Christian Diaz, age 22, and Jesus Sanchez, Jr, age 21, both of Fort Wayne were charged in a five (5) count indictment alleging the distribution of marijuana, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and providing a residence for the storage and distribution of narcotics.
Fredi Garcia-Gamez, age 33, Miguel Navarrete-Garcia, age 43, and Tomas Vega-Perez, age 41, all of Fort Wayne were charged in a three (3) count indictment alleging the distribution of heroin and providing a residence for the storage and distribution of narcotics.
Jesus Soto-Arellanes a/k/a Chuy, age 37, and Erik De Leon Verduzco-Garcia a/k/a Pulpo, age 33, both of Fort Wayne along with Roberto Soto-Arellanes, age 43, Jesus Alberto Soto-Garcia a/k/a Chubeto, age 35 and Edbel Alejandro Soto-Verduzco, age 28, all of Columbia City were charged in a twelve (12) count indictment alleging conspiracy to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana along with other drug distribution and gun possession charges.
Roderick Dedeaux a/k/a Rodrick Dedeaux, age 29, of Fort Wayne was charged in a five (5) count indictment alleging distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Juan Salas, age 30, of Fort Wayne was charged in in an eight (8) count indictment alleging the distribution of fentanyl.
U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “Narcotic distribution is one of the precursors to violent crime. Today with the arrest of these individuals we made a serious impact on the distribution of narcotics in the greater Fort Wayne Area. Local police agencies like Fort Wayne PD, the Allen County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana State Police worked tirelessly in coordination with the FBI to build these cases in Fort Wayne to help reduce violence associated with drug distribution.”
“Today's law enforcement actions are a culmination of more than a year's worth of investigative activity led by the Fort Wayne FBI's Safe Streets Task Force, which includes as its partners the Fort Wayne Police Department, Allen County Sheriff's Department and the Indiana State Police,” said Grant Mendenhall, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division. “This was an outstanding example of Federal and State agencies working together to positively impact Northeast Indiana by disrupting and dismantling a large scale drug trafficking organization. These arrests should serve as a reminder that we will continue to target these offenders and the impact they are having on our communities.”
"The collaborative efforts of the Fort Wayne Police Department, FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office continue to make positive strides against drug trafficking in the City of Fort Wayne. The joint effort of these agencies has resulted in criminal investigations and arrests that will significantly affect the drug trade in Fort Wayne and Allen County," said Chief Steve Reed, Fort Wayne Police Department. "The agencies that comprise the Safe Streets Task Force - the Fort Wayne Police Department, Allen County Police Department, Indiana State Police and FBI - continue to work tirelessly in their efforts to eliminate drug trafficking and the violence that often accompanies it. These arrests and seizures are a direct result of that combined effort and we thank these officers for all the long hours and hard work that went into these investigations."
“The Allen County Sheriff’s Department, a proud member of the Safe Streets Task Force, has and will continue to work in conjunction with the FBI, and the U.S Attorney’s Office to battle the drug epidemic within Allen County. We are encouraged by the efforts that have been set forth, and look forward to positive improvements in our area,” said Sheriff David J. Gladieux, Allen County Sheriff’s Department.
Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter commented, “I am extremely proud of our participation with the FBI Safe Streets Task Force.” Carter continued, “The hard work of our assigned investigators, in collaboration with other member representatives, speaks to the dedication of state, county, local and federal law enforcement partners who work daily to make Indiana communities safer for everyone to enjoy.”
These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Team, the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Allen County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police with the assistance of the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. These cases will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Geller and Stacey R. Speith.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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Mishawaka, Indiana Man SentencedRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND - Reginald Blackburn, age 26, of Mishawka, Indiana, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio for Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Blackburn was sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, between August and October 2017, Blackburn was part of a group of people who sold heroin in the South Bend and Mishawaka area. They shared at least one cellphone, which they used to arrange sales of heroin. Members of the group would pick up pre-packaged baggies of heroin, usually one-half gram, from members of the group and sell the heroin to people who called the shared cellphone. The price charged for the heroin was set by people who were higher up in the group. Blackburn was involved between August and October, but others in the group operated before he joined. Between March and September, 2017, the phone was used for about 66,000 calls and text messages.
This case was investigated by DEA with assistance from the St. Joseph County Drug Investigations Unit, the local federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, ATF, St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office, Indiana State Police, South Bend Police and Elkhart Police. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel Gabrielse and Molly Donnelly.
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Lafayette, Indiana Man Sentenced to 97 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND –Travis Barrett, 39, of Lafayette, Indiana was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Barrett was sentenced to serve 97 months in prison, 10 years of supervised release and ordered to pay a total of $25,000 in restitution ($5000 to each of the five victims).
According to his plea agreement, Barrett admitted to possessing more than 15000 images and 2450 videos of child pornography
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Lafayette Police Department and the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Department. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary T. Bell.
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Indianapolis, Indiana Man Sentenced to 97 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Howard Fleming III, age 24, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio upon his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Fleming was sentenced to 97 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, Fleming was in a car in South Bend, and had a .40 caliber handgun along with less than five grams of cocaine when stopped by police. He had planned to sell the cocaine while using the firearm for protection while drug dealing. Fleming also has a prior felony conviction from April of 2014 in St. Joseph County, Indiana, for which he was sentenced to three years of imprisonment.
This case was investigated by ATF with assistance from the South Bend Police Department. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly E Donnelly.
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Knox, Indiana Man Charged with Distribution of Opioids and TestosteroneRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Michael Henry Minix, age 44, of Knox, Indiana, was charged in a 6 count Indictment with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute schedule II and III narcotics, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
The Indictment alleged that, beginning in August 2017 through May 2019, Minix distributed Oxycodone, a schedule II controlled substance, as well as Testosterone, Dianabol, and Metandienone, all of which are schedule III controlled substances. The Indictment also alleges that Minix possessed Testosterone with the intent to distribute.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Indiana State Police and the Marshall County Drug Task Force. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang.
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Ten Additional Latin Dragon Members Charged with Racketeering Conspiracy Including Five Members Charged with Involvement in Four Separate MurdersRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Ten additional members of the criminal street gang, the Latin Dragon Nation, have been charged with racketeering conspiracy and other related offenses in a fourth superseding indictment unsealed today, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
According to the fourth superseding indictment, the Latin Dragons Nation is a criminal street gang that originated in Chicago and spread to other areas, including the Northern District of Indiana. Members and associates of the Latin Dragons Nation allegedly engage in acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder, witness tampering, and assault, to protect the gang’s territory.
U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “Gang members should not get comfortable in the Northern District of Indiana. We will never tolerate gang violence. Together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively prosecute gang members for their criminal activity and seek appropriately lengthy prison sentences. Gang activity does not stop at the state line, and as evidenced by the charges announced today, neither do our investigations and prosecutions. Gangs terrorize our neighborhoods and put innocent lives at grave risk. My office will do everything we can to prevent and defeat gang activity like this.”
The ten additional defendants charged in the fourteen-count indictment are Ralph Daniel Mendez, 44, of Chicago, Illinois; Javier Aguilera, 26, of Chicago, Illinois; Jonathan Arevalo, 26, of Gary, Indiana; Nico Mata, 25, of Hammond, Indiana; Alec Nathaniel Aguilar, 20, of Chicago, Illinois; Justin Anaya, 18, of Chicago, Illinois; Keenan Seymour, 19, of Chicago, Illinois; David White, 24, of Chicago, Illinois; Tiffany Barragan, 21, of Chicago, Illinois; and Angelina Vilella, 20, of Chicago, Illinois.
In the fourth superseding indictment, Ralph Mendez, Jr., is also charged with the murder of Jose Gomez on May 23, 2017, in Chicago, Illinois. Ralph Mendez, Jr., and David White are also charged with the murder of Mike Whitford on July 14, 2017, in Chicago, Illinois.
In addition, Justin Anaya and Alec Nathaniel Aguilar are alleged to have killed Gustavo Garcia on July 14, 2017, in Chicago, Illinois. Justin Anaya, Alec Nathaniel Aguilar, and Keenan Seymour are alleged to have killed Manuel Salazar on November 24, 2017, in Chicago, Illinois.
The previously indicted defendants charged in this case are Manuel Diaz, 28, of Hammond, Indiana; Eduardo Diaz-Corral, 20, of Calumet City, Illinois; Ralph Mendez, Jr., 23, of Chicago, Illinois; Joseph Daniel Roggenkamp, 21, of East Chicago, Indiana; Gustavo Colunga, 26, of Hammond, Indiana; Joshua Harris-White, 25, of Chicago, Illinois; and Luis Colunga, 29, of Chicago, Illinois. In this superseding indictment, additional murders and crimes of violence are alleged to have been committed by several of the previously charged defendants. Specifically, Diaz-Corral and Diaz allegedly participated, respectively, in the murders of Paul Cruz on November 20, 2016, in Chicago, and Charles Berrios on September 30, 2017, in Hammond, Indiana.
The fourth superseding indictment is part of ongoing efforts to curb the activities of violent street gangs in the Northern District of Indiana.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Chicago Police Department Criminal Enterprise Unit; the Hammond Police Department; the Cook County Sheriff’s Office; the Bartlett Police Department; the East Chicago Police Department; the Merrillville Police Department; the Hobart Police Department; the Lake County Sheriff’s Department; and the Calumet City Police Department, with assistance from the Lake County, Indiana Prosecutor’s Office, the Cook County, Illinois State’s Attorney’s Office, the Indiana Department of Corrections, and the Illinois Department of Corrections. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph A. Cooley and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Toth, with prior assistance from the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section Trial Attorneys Robert Tully, Andrew Creighton, and Hans Miller.
South Bend, Indiana Woman Sentenced to 72 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Jaronna Groves, age 22, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. upon her plea of guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Groves was sentenced to 72 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
During several months in 2018, Groves participated in the distribution of drugs in South Bend. Several of her acquaintances distributed heroin, fentanyl, and other drugs. Sometimes they used their own phones to do so, while other times they shared a common drug phone that customers would call. On numerous occasions during June and July, 2018, she personally conducted drug sales to customers who had contacted the common drug phone. Groves obtained a house on South Illinois Street in May, 2018, to allow her acquaintances to meet and discuss drug distribution. She allowed them to store drugs, guns and cash in her house. On July 13, 2018, investigators searched her house and found over 100 grams of fentanyl in her bedroom, along with cash, a money counter, scales, and 2 loaded handguns.
This case was investigated by ATF with assistance from the South Bend Police Department. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel R. Gabrielse and Molly E. Donnelly.
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South Bend Man Convicted Following 4-Day Jury TrialRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Donyea Fowler, age 34, of South Bend, Indiana was convicted of 6 counts of Hobbs Act Robbery and 7 counts of federal firearm offenses (being a felon in possession of a firearm and 6 counts for using a firearm in relation to crimes of violence (each of the six (6) Hobbs Act robberies), announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
U.S. District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio, presided over this 4-day trial.
According to documents in this case, in late 2017 through early 2018, Fowler robbed six convenience stores in the South Bend area while wearing a mask and brandishing a firearm. During the trial, evidence was presented to include videos of the masked robberies, a video of Fowler while unmasked cashing in a winning lottery ticket three minutes after one of the robberies, videos of the getaway car with a missing light, some phone location evidence, and DNA linking him to a gun that was found. Mr. Fowler has four prior felony convictions.
Sentencing of Mr. Fowler has been set for September 25, 2019 at 1:30 PM.
The case was investigated by the FBI with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel R. Gabrielse.
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Latin King Gang Member Sentenced to Life in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND-Robert Nieto, also known as “Cowboy,” 45, of Gary, Indiana, and a member of the Chicago-based Latin Kings, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Phillip Simon following his conviction at trial last May of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Nieto was sentenced to Life in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “Long sentences, such as the sentence imposed in this case, should send a strong message of deterrence to those engaged in these activities. My office has amplified its efforts to reduce violent crime, and we will use all our resources to prosecute those who commit these senseless acts of violence. I am dedicated to working together with law enforcement partners to reduce violent crime.”
According to evidence presented at trial, as part of the racketeering conspiracy, on December 2, 2013, Rolando Correa, 22, of Gary, Indiana, was killed in Gary. Mr. Correa was coming to the aid of his next door neighbors, who were victims of a home invasion robbery. Robert Nieto assisted in setting up the home invasion and listened to a police scanner to assist in the escape of the robbers. The jury found Nieto responsible for Correa’s death in addition to finding that Nieto conspired to distribute or possess with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine as part of the racketeering conspiracy. The jury also found that Nieto conspired to distribute or possess with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine and at least 100 kilograms of marijuana as part of the drug conspiracy.
According to evidence presented at trial and case documents, Nieto was also a local leader of the Latin Kings who has been involved in the gang since at least approximately 2007, distributed cocaine and marijuana, possessed firearms, and ordered fellow gang members to shoot at rivals. He has a prior felony conviction for aggravated battery.
Approximately 43 defendants have been charged with racketeering conspiracy as members of the Latin Kings in a criminal conspiracy extending back to 2003. The racketeering conspiracy charge alleges that gang members and associates were participants in a racketeering conspiracy that involved murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, sex trafficking, and narcotics distribution.
This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the East Chicago Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Gary Police Department, the Hammond Police Department, the Lake County, Indiana, Sheriff’s Department and Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area officers and agents. The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Illinois, has also provided assistance. The Latin King racketeering conspiracy case is being prosecuted by Northern District of Indiana Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick, Nicholas J. Padilla, Dean R. Lanter, and Joseph A. Cooley, formerly of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.
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LaPorte, Indiana Man Sentenced to 60 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Mario Ward II, age 23, of LaPorte, Indiana, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. upon his plea of guilty to 2 counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Ward was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, in July 2018, Ward possessed a firearm after being convicted of a felony offense. Ward was in a car that led police on a high speed chase while he had a stolen 9 millimeter firearm. The car crashed in a residential neighborhood, after which a second stolen 9 millimeter firearm was found in the car as well as over 50 grams of marijuana. While criminal charges from that incident were pending, Ward was released under court supervision. While on release, investigators went to arrest Ward at his home for a pre-trial release violation. During that arrest, investigators found a firearm that Ward admitting to handling as well as over 50 grams of marijuana and over $1,000.00 cash.
This case was investigated by ATF with assistance from the Michigan City Police Department, LaPorte County Drug Task Force and US Marshals Fugitive Apprehension Street Team. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly E Donnelly.
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Highland, Indiana Man Sentenced to 30 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND –Alan Piwowar, 34, of Highland, Indiana was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen after pleading guilty to production and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Piwowar was sentenced to serve a total of 360 months in prison, 15 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution.
According to his plea agreement, in October 2008, Piwowar knowingly caused a 2-year-old child in his custody, care, or supervisory control to engage in sexually explicit conduct and took photographs. Piwowar admitted that he touched the child with the intent to sexually arouse or gratify himself. In April 2018, Piwowar also possessed depictions of other minors under the age of 18 being caused to engage in sexually explicit acts with adults. After learning he was under investigation for child pornography offenses, Piwowar sought to destroy evidence of his crimes.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill R. Koster.
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Elkhart, Indiana Man Sentenced to 120 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Steven Perry, age 55, of Elkhart, Indiana, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. upon his plea of guilty to possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Perry was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, in December 2018, Perry, who has a prior 2004 federal conviction for receipt and possession of child pornography, was in possession of child pornography that was being shared on a social networking site.
This case was investigated by FBI with assistance from the St. Joseph County High Tech Crimes Task Force. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Maciejczyk.
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Mishawaka, Indiana Man Sentenced to 41 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – James Kindig, age 53, of Mishawka, Indiana, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio upon his plea of guilty to possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Kindig was sentenced to 41 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $48,750 in restitution.
According to documents in this case, in November 2017 Kindig possessed approximately 472 images and 262 videos that portrayed child pornography. Some of these contained sadistic images and prepubescent children or children under the age of 12.
This case was investigated by FBI with assistance from the St. Joseph County High Tech Crimes Task Force. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Maciejczyk.
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Rome City Man Sentenced to 150 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Glen Jacobs, 43 years old, of Rome City, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to distributing a controlled substance and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Jacobs was sentenced to 150 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, on May 3, 2018, Jacobs distributed 5 or more grams of methamphetamine. Jacobs also possessed a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking offense of maintaining a drug involved premises between May 3, 2018 and June 27, 2018.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, the Rome City Police Department, Noble County Sheriff’s Department, Auburn Police Department, Auburn Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, Allen County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony W. Geller.
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Lafayette Man Sentenced to 270 Months in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of A MinorRead the Press Release
HAMMOND –Kasey Ludberg, 27, of Lafayette, Indiana was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and receipt of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Ludberg was sentenced to 270 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, in September 2017 Ludberg induced a young girl under the age of 12 to send him sexually explicit photographs via the internet. Ludberg also admitted to requesting sexually explicit photographs and videos from approximately 30 other minors and receiving such materials from at least 10 of those minors.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Onondaga Sheriff’s Department. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra McTague.
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Garrett Man Sentenced 84 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Eric H. McHale, 42 years old, of Garrett, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
McHale was sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, on October 15, 2017, McHale possessed with intent to distribute 5 or more grams of methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Ligonier Police Department, the Albion Police Department, the Noble County Sherriff’s Department, and the Indiana State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey R. Speith.
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Fort Wayne Resident Sentenced to 68 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Tyshon Powell, 24years 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 a controlled substance and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Powell was sentenced to 68 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, on March 28, 2018, Powell possessed with intent to distribute less than 50 kilograms of marijuana and did so while possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking offense.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Fort Wayne Safe Streets Gang Task Force with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department, Allen County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony W. Geller and Stacey R. Speith.
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New Jersey Man Sentenced to 97 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Stanford Wylie, age 51, of Palisades Park, NJ, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Robert L. Miller upon his plea of guilty to possession with the intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Wylie was sentenced to 97 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, Mr. Wylie was intercepted on Interstate 90 on September 26, 2018 transporting a suitcase containing approximately 11 kilograms of cocaine and 1 kilogram of heroin. The suitcase was discovered by a Hobart Police Officer and his K-9 partner, Mojo. As a result of the investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, law enforcement learned that Mr. Wylie made numerous cross-country trips transporting controlled substances and currency between Los Angeles, California and New Jersey.
This case was investigated by DEA with assistance from the Hobart Police Department. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel Gabrielse and Kimberly Schultz.
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Angola Man Sentenced to 121 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Andrew L. Fitch, 32 years old, of Angola, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Fitch was sentenced to 121 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, on August 20, 2016, Angola Police Department officer attempted to perform a traffic stop on a motorcycle Fitch was operating on I-69 that was exceeding the posted speed limit. Instead of pulling over, Fitch accelerated rapidly away from the officer and a chase ensued with Fitch operating the motorcycle at speeds well over 100 miles per hour. During flight, Fitch lost control of the motorcycle and was apprehended. Fitch who had an active arrest warrant, was taken into custody and $1,655.29 was recovered from his person. A search of the motorcycle revealed scales, a glass pipe, pills, and baggies that were later analyzed and found to contain 66 grams of actual methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Angola Police Department and the Steuben County Sheriff’s Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony W. Geller.
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Indianapolis Man Sentenced to 200 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Dwaine Bartlett, 46 years old, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Bartlett was sentenced to 200 months in prison followed by 5 year of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, between November 13, 2013, and February 12, 2014, Bartlett conspired with his named codefendants to conduct an armed robbery of a drug stash house which would have resulted in their possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance, namely 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. Further, on February 12, 2014, Bartlett possessed a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration as well as the Warsaw Police Department, the Fort Wayne Police Department and the IMAGE Drug Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stacey R. Speith and Anthony W. Geller.
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