Northern District of Indiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Mishawaka Man Sentenced to 68 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Brendan R. Eiler, 33 years old, of Mishawaka, IN, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty of Receipt of Child Pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
The Court imposed a sentence of 68 months imprisonment, 5 years of supervised release following his prison release, and $55,000 in restitution to victims of the crime.
According to documents in the case, between March 2016 and March 2017, Eiler downloaded child pornography from the internet using a program named “e-Mule.” He admitted to possessing approximately 35,079 images and approximately 4,170 videos that portrayed child pornography. Some of these depicted bestiality and sadistic images, and prepubescent children or children under the age of 12.
This case was investigated by the FBI and St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Cybercrime Unit. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Maciejczyk.
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Indiana Man Sentenced to 51 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Peter Rink, 41 years old, of LaPaz, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after entering a plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and to possessing a shotgun having a barrel of less than 18 inches in length, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Rink was sentenced to 51 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to documents filed in the case, Rink was driving a vehicle with a woman who was trying to flee from police. When the vehicle was stopped by police, police found in the vehicle a loaded 12-gauge shotgun with a sawed-off barrel and a loaded 9mm pistol. Rink admitted that he possessed the two firearms despite having a prior felony conviction for aggravated assault in Arizona. The shotgun had a sawed-off barrel that had been shortened to a length in violation of the National Firearms Act. Rink admitted to sawing off the barrel himself. The shotgun and pistol were located on the rear seat of the vehicle in a backpack which also contained methamphetamine, a scale, plastic baggies, and other drug paraphernalia.
This case was investigated by ATF with the assistance of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department and the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke N. Reilander.
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Granger Man Sentenced to 168 Months in Prison and Ordered to Pay $1,410,580.31 in RestitutionRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND –James P. LeDonne, age 63, of Granger, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to mail and wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
LeDonne was sentenced to 168 months in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,410,580.31 in restitution to his victims.
According to documents in this case, from 2008 through 2014, LeDonne engaged in a fraud scheme involving a series of businesses that purported to manufacture fiber optic repair vehicles. LeDonne persuaded customers to order vehicles and send money for down payments, but then failed to fulfill orders. The scheme involved selling vehicles that LeDonne did not own or that did not exist, with LeDonne (and LeDonne’s employees at his direction) repeatedly lying to customers about the status of production schedules, delivery dates, and refunds. To avoid returning money to customers and other creditors, his businesses would file bankruptcy and he would start a new business that would start up the same fraud scheme with new customers. LeDonne defrauded at least 63 customers from at least 31 states and four foreign countries.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Indiana State Police Organized Crime and Corruption Unit and the FBI Financial Crimes Task Force, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gary Bell and Luke Reilander.
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Three Indicted for Their Role in A Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – The United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana Thomas L. Kirsch II announced a ten-count indictment against Yvonna Lee, age 32, of Merrillville; Latonya Foxx, age 31, of Indianapolis; and Tanisha Bledsoe, age 44, of Chicago, Illinois for engaging in a scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service.
U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “We work with the Internal Revenue Service to aggressively investigate and prosecute people who commit tax fraud. Cheating the IRS -- stealing from the United States Treasury -- is stealing from all of us.”
Documents in this case allege the defendants engaged in a tax fraud scheme. They filed hundreds of fraudulent federal tax returns, which returned inflated tax refunds for their clients. In exchange, the defendants received kickbacks from the clients for the inflated refunds. Lee was the recruiter who found clients and obtained personal identifying information that they needed to file tax returns. Lee gave the information to Foxx and Bledsoe who then filed the tax returns with the IRS. To hide their involvement, Foxx and Bledsoe filed the returns without identifying themselves as the preparers. Lee, Foxx, and Bledsoe are charged with wire fraud. Foxx and Lee are also charged with aggravated identify theft for filing some tax returns without the knowledge and consent of the taxpayers.
The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty in court.
If convicted in court, 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 the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria N. Lerner is prosecuting this case.
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Michigan City Man Charged in the Robbery of Three BanksRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Jason Jay Cheek, 41 years old, of Michigan City, Indiana, was charged in U.S. District Court in a Criminal Complaint with Bank Robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “Bank robbers put the lives of bank employees and customers at risk. I will continue to work with state and local law enforcement to ensure that bank robbers and other violent offenders in the Northern District of Indiana are brought to justice.”
According to the documents in this case, Cheek was charged by Criminal Complaint with three bank robberies; one in Michigan City on June 5, 2018, another bank in Michigan City on July 31, 2018, and a third bank in Portage on July 31, 2018. The Criminal Complaint alleges that Cheek approached the tellers and demanded money, while implying he had a gun.
The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that a Complaint is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty in court.
If convicted in court, 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 FBI GRIT Task Force with the assistance of the Michigan City and Portage Police Departments. This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jill R. Koster.
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Woman Sentenced to 51 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Erin Clowser, 35 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Theresa L. Springmann after pleading guilty to Theft of Mail, Access Devise Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Clowser was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 51 months followed by 1 year of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution to the victims of her crime in the total amount of $53,005.82. As part of her sentence, Clowser agreed to forfeit to the United States items obtained from her illegal conduct, which included a 2002 Mercedes Benz S500, assorted electronic and computer equipment and purses.
According to documents filed in the case, from November 2016 and continuing through June 2017, Clowser stole mail from various residential mailboxes in the Fort Wayne area. She also used personal information of an individual without their authorization to obtain a debit card which she then used to make purchases at retail establishments and make withdraws from automatic teller machines.
This case was a joint investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Allen County Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.
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South Bend Man Sentenced to 180 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Anthony Owens, 31 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after entering a plea of guilty for conspiracy to distribute over 1 kilogram of heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Anthony Owens was sentenced to 180 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, from August 2017 through October 2017, Owens was a member of a group that sold heroin in the South Bend and Mishawaka areas. The members shared at least one cell phone which was used to arrange heroin sales. Members of the group would receive that phone, along with multiple pre-packaged small baggies of heroin, from one of the other members of the group. Buyers would call that phone, and whichever member of the group had the phone at the time would arrange a heroin transaction with the buyer. Sometimes sellers would work individually, while other times sellers would cooperate to arrange and conduct heroin transactions. The selling price was set by others higher in the group and individual sellers would not unilaterally vary from that price. The majority of the proceeds from the heroin sales would be turned back in to the higher-ranking members and the individual sellers would be allowed to keep the remainder of the payment. Together, they distributed kilograms of heroin through thousands of retail transactions.
This case was investigated by DEA, ATF, St. Joseph County Drug Investigations Unit, St. Joseph County Prosecutors Office, Indiana State Police, Mishawaka Police and the Elkhart Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joel Gabrielse and Molly Donnelly
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Joliet, Illinois Man Sentenced to 51 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Rigoberto Ortiz-Dominguez, 33, of Joliet, Illinois, was sentenced before District Court Judge Philip P. Simon on his plea to possession with intent to distribute heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Ortiz Dominguez received a sentence of 51 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents filed in this case, DEA agents used a confidential source to negotiate with Michael Cruz, Ortiz-Dominguez’s co-defendant, for the purchase of kilograms of heroin on November 16, 2017. Cruz informed the confidential source that a courier would deliver the heroin later that same day. The courier was Ortiz-Dominguez. Hammond Police stopped Ortiz-Dominguez on his way to deliver the heroin. During a search of Ortiz-Dominguez’s car, police found 3.06 kilograms of heroin in a hidden compartment. Co-defendant Michael Cruz entered a guilty plea to the same charge on July 27, 2018.
This case was investigated by the Lake County HIDTA (DEA) with the assistance of the Hammond Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. McGrath.
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Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 120 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Walter Gross, Jr., 58 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Theresa L. Springmann after pleading guilty to one count of Possession of Material Depicting Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Gross, Jr. was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on April 6, 2017, Gross Jr. was found to be in possession of images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the Fort Wayne Police Department, and the Indiana State Police and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.
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South Bend Man Sentenced to 70 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Michael Mason, 28 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Michael Mason was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in September 2017, Mason possessed a firearm while he was in his car in South Bend. This vehicle was involved in a high speed chase following shots fired at a home from the car. The firearm was thrown from the vehicle and subsequently recovered along with a quantity of marijuana. Prior to September 24, 2017, Mason had been convicted of reckless homicide and intimidation, both crimes punishable by more than one year of imprisonment, making them felony offenses.
This case was investigated by ATF, Mishawaka Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.
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South Bend Man Sentenced to 63 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Antonio Smith, 30 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced to 63 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
According to documents in the case, Smith bought a 9 millimeter firearm while he was on parole for battery resulting in serious bodily injury. In March of 2018, he grabbed and pushed his girlfriend, who reported the incident to police. Smith was later located by police in possession of the loaded 9 millimeter firearm. Smith has a history of violence towards women and of violating probation and protective orders.
This case was investigated by the ATF and the South Bend Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Molly E. Donnelly.
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Gary Man Sentenced to 71 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Raphael Perry, 43 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute over 100 grams of heroin, announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Perry was sentenced to 71 months imprisonment, followed by 4 years supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in September 2017, Raphael Perry possessed over 100 grams of heroin with intent to distribute. He possessed this heroin at his home in Gary, Indiana.
This case was investigated by DEA and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.
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Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 180 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Darin Kaufman, 37 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Theresa L. Springmann, after pleading guilty to one count of Receipt of Material Depicting Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct and one count of Possession of Material Depicting Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Kaufman was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, from January 2014 through November 2014, Kaufman received and possessed child pornography. Found in his possession were images from different child pornography series that are known to law enforcement. Kaufman entered a plea of guilty for the charges mentioned above in May of 2016. He has been in custody since his arrest stemming from these charges.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Fort Wayne Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.
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Munster Doctor Enters A Guilty PleaRead the Press Release
HAMMOND - Jay Kaushik Joshi, age 34, of Burr Ridge, Illinois entered a plea of guilty to distribution of a controlled substance, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
“Prescribing controlled substances that are not medically necessary intensify the national opioid problem facing this country. Today’s guilty plea should be a warning to other doctors who engage in such practice. When we identify doctors prescribing opioids in this manner, we will prosecute them,” said U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
According to documents in this case, Joshi practiced medicine at Prestige Clinics in Munster, Indiana. Joshi is a medical doctor licensed to practice medicine in the State of Indiana and until November 21, 2017 was registered by the Drug Enforcement Administration to Prescribe Schedule II, III, IV and V controlled substances. Between September of 2017 and December 2017, the DEA and Munster Police Department obtained information on Joshi’s history of prescribing controlled substances. Indiana’s prescription monitoring program, INSPECT, was designed to serve as a tool to address the problem of prescription drug abuse and diversion of controlled substances. Investigators obtained data from INSPECT and it is alleged that since April 2017, Joshi issued over 6000 prescriptions for controlled substances. It is also alleged that Joshi ranked first in Lake County and ninth in the State of Indiana in the number of prescriptions written for controlled substances by DEA registered providers. During the time-period alleged in the indictment, Joshi dispensed controlled substances that were not prescribed for a legitimate medical purpose and outside the scope of professional practice.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Munster, Indiana Police Department. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Mahoney.
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Gary Man Sentenced to 151 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Vincent Wilson, 48 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge James T. Moody after pleading guilty to the distribution of cocaine base, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
According to documents in the case, between March 16, 2017 and April 11, 2017, law enforcement officers conducted four controlled purchases of cocaine base, otherwise known as “crack cocaine,” from Vincent Wilson. On March 20, 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Wilson’s residence at 411 West 23rd Avenue in Gary, Indiana and recovered crack cocaine from his bedroom. Wilson was previously convicted of possession of cocaine, two counts of attempted murder, and felony battery.
This case was investigated by ATF, Gary Police Department and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Armando Salinas.
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Press Statement Regarding Samantha ElhassaniRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Two U.S. citizens, charged with federal violations, have been transferred from the custody of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to U.S. law enforcement custody and arrived today in the Northern District Indiana.
One defendant, Ibraheem Izzy Musaibli, was transferred to face charges in the U.S. District Court in Detroit, Michigan.
The other defendant, Samantha Elhassani aka Samantha Sally (hereinafter Elhassani), has been charged in the Northern District of Indiana with making false statements to the FBI and will have her initial hearing at the Hammond Federal Courthouse at a later date. Elhassani was accompanied by her four minor U.S. citizen children. The children are currently in the care of Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS). Indiana DCS will make any necessary determinations regarding their custody, safety, and well-being.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana has offered DCS any assistance that they may need from federal authorities
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Hammond Man Sentenced to 78 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Peter Salinas a/k/a “Pudge,” 37 years old, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
According to documents in the case, Salinas, a member and regional enforcer for the Latin Kings Street Gang, was held responsible for between 2 and 3.5 kilograms of cocaine, and for possessing a firearm during the course of the conspiracy. As a Latin King, the defendant participated in assaults, collection of dues, and directed beatings.
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 also has provided assistance. The Latin King case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick and Dean Lanter and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Joseph Cooley.
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Lafayette Man Sentenced to 144 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Rafael Roman Ramirez, 37 years old, of Lafayette, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to being an Illegal Alien in Possession of a Firearm and Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “The use and abuse of dangerous, highly addictive drugs like heroin have grave consequences on the community where they are present. We are working aggressively with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute cases involving opioids. We are focusing efforts on dismantling drug distribution networks, including those connected to Mexican cartels, that supply illegal drugs in this District.”
According to documents in the case, Ramirez was a leader and organizer of a drug trafficking organization with Mexican cartel ties who was tasked with coordinating the delivery of heroin and drug proceeds throughout the country. Ramirez was responsible for between 30 and 90 kilograms of heroin that the drug trafficking organization brought into the country from Mexico and distributed nationwide.
This case was investigated by the DEA and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang.
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West Lafayette, Indiana Couple IndictedRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – The United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, Thomas L. Kirsch II, announced an indictment against Qingyou Han, age 59 and Lu Shao, age 51, of West Lafayette, Indiana for engaging in a scheme to defraud the National Science Foundation (“NSF”).
According to documents in this case, Dr. Qingyou Han, a Purdue University Professor and the Director of the Purdue Center for Materials Processing Research, and his wife Lu Shao, using a company they founded and operated called Hans Tech, applied for and received over $1.3 million in grants from NSF’s Small Business Innovation Research (“SBIR”) and Small Business Technology Transfer (“STTR”) programs and then used the funds at least in part to pay personal expenses and for the enrichment of themselves or their children. Among other claims, the indictment alleges that SHAO purchased a single family home in her name, signed a lease with herself on behalf of Hans Tech, and paid “rent” to herself from Hans Tech of $3,000 per month using grant funds. Funds were also purportedly used to pay Han and Shao’s minor children “salaries.” For example, in 2009, Dr. Han and Ms. Shao falsely represented to NSF that the research project’s “Secretary” and “Technical Assistant” earned $24,000 each via hourly wages and “consulting,” when, unbeknownst to NSF, the supposed employees were approximately 10 and 15 years old and they were Han and Shao’s own children.
The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty in court.
If convicted in court, 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 the result of an investigation by the National Science Foundation’s Office of Inspector General. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Koster and NSF OIG Investigative Attorney Sonia Khanzode.
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South Bend Man Sentenced to 120 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Charles D’Angelo Lockett, 23 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. for being a felon in possession of one or more stolen firearms announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Lockett was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 18 months supervised release.
According to documents in the case, Charles Lockett was in Wabash County when he was driving and hit a parked car. Lockett fled the scene of the accident, and police cars eventually caught up with him after a fifteen minute chase. During the chase, Lockett was throwing items out of the vehicle, driving over 90 miles per hour, and drove through stop signs. The car chase led to Lockett running away on foot, where police eventually detained him. In the car, police found that Lockett had 2 firearms and miscellaneous drugs.
This case was investigated by ATF, North Manchester Police Department, Wabash County Sheriff’s Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Molly E. Donnelly.
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Michigan City Man Sentenced to 188 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Joseph Antonio Williams, 29 years old, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio, for being a felon in possession of a firearm and having possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Williams was sentenced to 188 months in prison followed by 3 years supervised release.
According to documents in the case, a controlled buy was set up with Williams. During the buy, Joseph Williams was caught selling 1.7 grams of cocaine. After the buy, law enforcement saw Williams remove a screen from a window on the side of a house. As it was suspected that Williams was breaking and entering into a residence, officers drove to the scene, where Williams fled on foot. After a foot chase, police caught Williams and found a firearm in his pants pocket.
This case was investigated by ATF, Michigan City Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke N. Reilander.
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Michael Brooks a/k/a Michael Sandifer Sentenced to 65 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Michael Brooks, 30 years old, of Lynwood, Illinois, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen after pleading guilty to Hobbs Act Robbery and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Brooks was sentenced to 65 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, Brooks and two others robbed Tobacco City, located at 5935 State Line Road, Hammond, Indiana, on August 13, 2016 at gunpoint. Brooks and the other robbers took U.S. Currency and merchandise from the store.
This case was investigated by the FBI GRIT Task Force and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang.
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Hammond Man Sentenced to 110 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Jared Washington, 33, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge James T. Moody on Washington’s guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II. The Court imposed a sentence of 110 months in prison followed by3 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, Washington and a co-defendant sold heroin over a prolonged period of time in and around Hammond, Indiana. Investigators, assisted by a confidential informant, conducted a series of controlled purchases of heroin from Washington. During the investigation, large amounts of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and drug proceeds were seized from a hotel room used by Washington. Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate, which is 30-50 times more potent than heroin.
This case was investigated by the Lake County HIDTA DEA task force with the assistance of the Hammond Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. McGrath.
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Michigan City Man Sentenced to 96 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Faheem Pasha, age 38, of Michigan City, Indiana was sentenced before District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Pasha was sentenced to 96 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, on or about January 12, 2018, Pasha, who was previously convicted of a felony offense in LaPorte County, possessed and sold a firearm to an individual. Other documents in the case show that he has been convicted of felonies on four prior occasions, had probation revoked three times, and had eleven misdemeanor convictions before possessing the firearm in this case. He also had four cases pending at the time.
This case was investigated by the ATF with assistance from the LaPorte County Drug Task Force and Michigan City Police Department, and was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Schaffer.
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Timothy Downs, Former Chief of Lake County Sheriff’s Department and William Szarmach, Owner of CSA Towing SentencedRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Timothy Downs, 67, of Monticello, Indiana and William Szarmach, 61, of Hobart, Indiana were sentenced before District Court Judge James T. Moody on their plea of guilty to honest services wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “Public corruption is a top priority of my office. Mr. Downs and Mr. Szarmach’s immediate cooperation was instrumental in the prosecution of former Sheriff John Buncich and the court’s sentence reflects these acts. For those involved in public corruption, my office has a team of investigators that are working on investigating all leads related to all acts of public corruption. I encourage anyone with information about such possible corruption to report it to me or to the FBI. Citizens demand, and in fact deserve, honest public service from their elected and appointed officials.”
Downs was sentenced to 2 years probation and ordered to pay a fine of $6000.
Szarmach, who in addition to honest services wire fraud also entered a plea of guilty to bribery, was also sentenced to 2 years probation and ordered to pay restitution to the IRS.
According to documents in this case, from February 2014 continuing into October 2016, Buncich, Downs and Szarmach devised a scheme to deprive the citizens of Lake County of their right to the honest services of the sheriff’s office. The scheme was designed to enrich Buncich personally and his campaign committee, known as Buncich Boosters. The documents detail a number of checks and cash payments, often collected by Downs, from Szarmach and an Individual A in exchange for Buncich awarding county towing business and towing in the City of Gary for ordinance violations. Individual A is the owner of a tow truck business who voluntarily came forward and cooperated with the United States during the course of this investigation.
This case was being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division; and the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. This case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Benson.
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South Bend Woman Sentenced to 60 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Tiffany Gadson, age 34, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced before District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. for possessing cocaine with the intent to deliver, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Gadson was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, on or about November 13, 2017 officers conducted a traffic stop on Gadson who was in possession over 28 grams of a rocklike substance that contained a cocaine base.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with assistance from the Michigan City Police Department and LaPorte County Drug Task Force. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Schaffer.
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South Bend, Indiana Man SentencedRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND - Brian Cardona, age 21, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced before District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio for distribution of over 50 grams of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Cardona was sentenced to 78 months imprisonment followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, Cardona and his co-defendant Anthony Francis met with and sold seven ounces of methamphetamine to an undercover officer. They also had discussions with the officer about additional sales that could be made. Mr. Francis has pled guilty in this case and is scheduled to sentenced on September 27, 2018.
This case was investigated by the FBI and DEA, with assistance from the Elkhart Interdiction Unit and South Bend Police Department. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Gabrielse.
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LaPorte Indiana Man Sentenced to 86 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND - Newell Cooper, age 34, of LaPorte, Indiana was sentenced before District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio for possessing heroin with the intent to deliver, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Cooper was sentenced to 86 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, Cooper possessed a quantity of heroin on his person on February 23, 2017 which he intended to sell. Cooper has five prior felony convictions, five misdemeanor convictions, and 28 other contacts with law enforcement, and has violated probationary sentences twice.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with assistance from the Michigan City Police Department and LaPorte County Drug Task Force. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Schaffer.
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Noblesville Man Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison and Ordered to Pay $331,493 in RestitutionRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Daniel P. Bewley, 34, a tax return preparer from of Noblesville, Indiana, was sentenced before District Court Judge James T. Moody on his plea to a wire fraud scheme that spanned from 2011 to April 2014 involving his submission of fraudulent customer tax returns to the IRS. The defendant also pled guilty to one count of filing his own fraudulent federal tax return, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Bewley received a sentence of 33 in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. The court further ordered Bewley to pay $331,493 in restitution to the IRS.
As outlined in the Indictment, Bewley presented his clients with a paper copy of the tax return he claimed would be electronically filed on their behalf with the IRS. The paper copies provided to clients, however, did not match the returns actually filed with the IRS. In what has come to be known as a “hijacked return” scheme, Bewley inflated deductions on the returns to create a larger refund. Clients received the refund the paper return indicated they could expect while defendant pocketed the rest.
The IRS encourages people who believe they may have been the victim of a fraudulent return preparer to contact the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service https://taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/get-help/return-preparer-fraud .
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane Berkowitz.
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LaPorte Indiana Man Sentenced to 88 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND - Christopher M. Bangs, age 25, of LaPorte, Indiana was sentenced before District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. for transporting child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Bangs was sentenced to 88 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $27,500 total to six victims depicted in his child pornography collection.
According to documents in this case, from on or about April 17, 2017 to about May 17, 2017, Bangs uploaded and downloaded images and videos depicting child pornography using the internet. Bangs admitted that he possessed about 1,000 child pornography images and about 50 videos, some of which depicted sadistic images involving children and prepubescent children under the age of 12.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security with assistance from the Indiana State Police and the Saskatchewan, Canada Police Service. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Maciejczyk.
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Individual Sentenced to 147 Months ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE –Israel Bonilla, age 32, of Michoacan, Mexico, was sentenced before Chief Judge Theresa L. Springmann, for possessing methamphetamine and heroin with the intent to distribute and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Bonilla was sentenced to a total of 147 months of imprisonment on these counts.
According to documents in this case, Bonilla and two codefendants were distributing large amounts of heroin and methamphetamine, and Bonilla possessed a loaded rifle and two loaded 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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Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 135 Months ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE –Latwon Ford, age 25, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced before Chief Judge Theresa L. Springmann, for two counts of obstructing and interfering with interstate commerce by robbery and for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Ford was sentenced to a total of 135 months of imprisonment followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, Ford robbed the Dollar General store in Leo, Indiana, in June of 2015 and then again in January of 2016. In January of 2016, officers caught Ford after he exited the store, and Ford was armed with a loaded handgun.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Allen County Police Department, the Indiana State Police, and the Fort Wayne Police Department. This case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony W. Geller.
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National Healthcare Fraud Takedown Results in Charges Against 601 Individuals Responsible for $2 Billion in Fraud LossesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar III, announced today the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action involving 601 charged defendants across 58 federal districts, including 165 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving more than $2 billion in false billings. Of those charged, 162 defendants, including 76 doctors, were charged for their roles in prescribing and distributing opioids and other dangerous narcotics. Thirty state Medicaid Fraud Control Units also participated in today’s arrests. In addition, HHS announced today that from July 2017 to the present, it has excluded 2,700 individuals from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, and all other Federal health care programs, which includes 587 providers excluded for conduct related to opioid diversion and abuse.
Attorney General Sessions and Secretary Azar were joined in the announcement by Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Deputy Director David L. Bowdich of the FBI, Assistant Administrator John Martin of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Deputy Inspector General Gary Cantrell of the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG), Deputy Chief Eric Hylton of IRS Criminal Investigation (CI), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Program Integrity Alec Alexander and Director Dermot F. O’Reilly of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS).
Today’s enforcement actions were led and coordinated by the Criminal Division, Fraud Section’s Health Care Fraud Unit in conjunction with its Medicare Fraud Strike Force (MFSF) partners, a partnership between the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI and HHS-OIG. In addition, the operation includes the participation of the DEA, DCIS, IRS-CI, Department of Labor, other various federal law enforcement agencies, and State Medicaid Fraud Control Units.
The charges announced today aggressively target schemes billing Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE (a health insurance program for members and veterans of the armed forces and their families), and private insurance companies for medically unnecessary prescription drugs and compounded medications that often were never even purchased and/or distributed to beneficiaries. The charges also involve individuals contributing to the opioid epidemic, with a particular focus on medical professionals involved in the unlawful distribution of opioids and other prescription narcotics, a particular focus for the Department. According to the CDC, approximately 115 Americans die every day of an opioid-related overdose.
“Health care fraud is a betrayal of vulnerable patients, and often it is theft from the taxpayer,” said Attorney General Sessions. “In many cases, doctors, nurses, and pharmacists take advantage of people suffering from drug addiction in order to line their pockets. These are despicable crimes. That’s why this Department of Justice has taken historic new steps to go after fraudsters, including hiring more prosecutors and leveraging the power of data analytics. Today the Department of Justice is announcing the largest health care fraud enforcement action in American history. This is the most fraud, the most defendants, and the most doctors ever charged in a single operation—and we have evidence that our ongoing work has stopped or prevented billions of dollars’ worth of fraud. I want to thank our fabulous partners with the FBI, DEA, our Health Care Fraud task forces, HHS, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, Medicare, and especially the more than 1,000 federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers from across America who made this possible. By every measure we are more effective at finding and prosecuting medical fraud than ever.”
“Every dollar recovered in this year’s operation represents not just a taxpayer’s hard-earned money—it’s a dollar that can go toward providing healthcare for Americans in need,” said HHS Secretary Azar. “This year’s Takedown Day is a significant accomplishment for the American people, and every public servant involved should be proud of their work.”
According to court documents, the defendants allegedly participated in schemes to submit claims to Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and private insurance companies for treatments that were medically unnecessary and often never provided. In many cases, patient recruiters, beneficiaries and other co-conspirators were allegedly paid cash kickbacks in return for supplying beneficiary information to providers, so that the providers could then submit fraudulent bills to Medicare. Collectively, the doctors, nurses, licensed medical professionals, health care company owners and others charged are accused of submitting a total of over $2 billion in fraudulent billings. The number of medical professionals charged is particularly significant, because virtually every health care fraud scheme requires a corrupt medical professional to be involved in order for Medicare or Medicaid to pay the fraudulent claims. Aggressively pursuing corrupt medical professionals not only has a deterrent effect on other medical professionals, but also ensures that their licenses can no longer be used to bilk the system.
In Winamac, Indiana, two individuals involved with the operation of Transport Loving Care (also known as Alliance EMS) allegedly submitted false claims to Medicare and Medicaid. Michael Wilson and Jaqueline “Jay” Podell – allegedly claimed they provided transportation of recipients to dialysis by ambulance service when in fact the recipients were ambulatory, did not require ambulance transportation and were not eligible for ambulance transportation. The Indictment claims the loss to Indiana Medicaid is in excess of $10,000. Charges include conspiracy to commit health care fraud (Medicare); health care fraud (Medicare); Medicaid health care fraud; and forfeiture.
In Gary, Indiana, two individuals involved in the operation of Lending a Helping Hand Transportation -- Felicia Blount and Charlotte Hunter -- allegedly billed Indiana Medicaid for services not rendered, inflating mileage for trips from Northwest Indiana to Indianapolis by approximately 100 miles per trip. The total fraud to the Indiana Medicaid program is in excess of $100,000. The two defendants are charged with health care fraud and the indictment also seeks forfeiture.
In San Pierre, Indiana, four individuals involved in United Mobile Care – Edward Kerr, Brenda Kerr, Mark Estrada and Tammy Estrada – allegedly submitted false claims to the Medicare and Medicaid program. They allegedly claimed they provided transportation of recipients to dialysis by ambulance service when in fact the recipients were ambulatory, did not require ambulance transportation and were not eligible for ambulance transportation. The Indictment claims the losses in excess of $100,000. Charges include 1 count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and 10 counts of health care fraud.
US Attorney Kirsch said, “The defendants indicted in these cases are charged with stealing tax payer money by defrauding our health care funds. The victims are the taxpayers. Working with our law enforcement partners we will continue to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of these fraudulent schemes.”
"Health care fraud is a threat to this country, both in terms of the well-being of patients and the integrity of government health care programs,” said Lamont Pugh, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General. “Our agents will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure these criminals are held accountable for their actions.”
“Medicaid fraud leaves in its wake many victims,” Attorney General Hill said. “Any licensed providers who commit this offense are taking advantage of those for whom they are supposed to provide care, including the disabled and less fortunate who rely on Medicaid. In addition, they are also fleecing all taxpayers whose hard-earned money is used to fund these programs. The investigators and lawyers in our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit are doing good work to help bring lawbreakers to justice. At the same time, we respect the due process to which all are entitled, and all those who stand accused of this crime are certainly presumed innocent until a court finds otherwise.”
The cases announced today are being prosecuted and investigated by U.S. Attorney’s Offices nationwide, along with Medicare Fraud Strike Force teams from the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Southern District of Florida, Eastern District of Michigan, Eastern District of New York, Southern District of Texas, Central District of California, Eastern District of Louisiana, Northern District of Texas, Northern District of Illinois, Middle District of Louisiana, and the Middle District of Florida; and agents from the FBI, HHS-OIG, DEA, DCIS, IRS-CI, Department of Labor, other various federal law enforcement agencies, and state Medicaid Fraud Control Units.
A complaint, information, or indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Additional documents related to this announcement will shortly be available here:
https://www.justice.gov/opa/documents-and-resources-june-28-2018.
This operation also highlights the great work being done by the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. In the past fiscal year, the Department of Justice, including the Civil Division, has collectively won or negotiated over $2 billion in judgements and settlements related to matters alleging health care fraud.
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Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 71 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Byron Curry, 42 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Theresa L. Springmann after pleading guilty to bank robbery, announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Curry was sentenced to 71 months imprisonment, 1 year supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the sum of $1,334.00.
According to documents in the case, on December 3, 2016, Byron Curry and his two female co- defendants robbed a First Source Bank located in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.
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Man Charged in Robbery of Brinks Armored TruckRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Akeem Jackson, 29 years old, of Chicago, Illinois, was charged in U.S. District Court in a Criminal Complaint with one count of Hobbs Act Robbery, announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
According to documents in the case, Akeem Jackson was charged in the robbery of a Brinks armored truck driver at gunpoint in Hammond, Indiana on April 28, 2018. Jackson and others stole approximately $600,000 cash. Jackson was previously employed by Brinks as an armored car driver but was fired in 2016. Jackson gave a statement to law enforcement admitting his role in the robbery.
U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “Prosecuting violent crime is a top priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. If convicted, Mr. Jackson will face severe consequences. Shortly, I will hire additional Assistant U.S. Attorneys to focus on and increase violent crime prosecutions such as this one. I commend the FBI and Hammond Police Department for their work investigating this brazen robbery.”
The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that a Complaint is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty in court.
If convicted in court, 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 FBI GRIT Task Force and the Hammond Police Department and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Chang and Thomas McGrath.
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Crown Point Man Sentenced to 14 Months in Prison and Ordered to Pay over $1 Million Dollars in RestitutionRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Walter Woldt, 55, of Crown Point, Indiana, was sentenced before District Court Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen on his plea of guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Woldt was sentenced to 14 months in prison followed by 24 months of home detention and ordered to pay $1,004,991 in restitution. He was ordered to report to the Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”) on August 3, 2018.
According to documents in this case, in 2006 and 2007 Woldt worked with Al Rodenburg, a mortgage broker based in Texas, to purchase 14 residential properties in Northwest Indiana in the span of 30 days with no money down. Defendants Rodenburg and Woldt worked out an arrangement where Woldt obtained mortgages that Rodenburg found for him on multiple properties beginning on January 3, 2007. They continued the process of closing on multiple properties roughly twice a week up through February 1, 2007. They knew that by closing on the properties so quickly mortgages Woldt obtained in early January 2007 would not hit his credit report for at least 30 days thereby depriving subsequent lenders, including lenders who purchased these mortgages in the secondary market, of material information they would want and need to know about Woldt’s debts for purposes of evaluating credit worthiness. Defendant Rodenburg did this for the commission he received on the mortgages Woldt obtained. Defendant Rodenberg was sentenced on February 22, 2018 to a 14 month prison term, two years of supervised release and ordered to pay $1, 004,991 in restitution.
This case was investigated by the FDIC-Office of Inspector General and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane Berkowitz.
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Wisconsin Man Sentenced to 235 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Denton Jerome, 32 years old, of Doylestown, Wisconsin, was sentenced by District Court Judge James Moody to 235 months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor, announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “Crimes committed against innocent children are particularly egregious. Others who commit these type of offenses, should be warned by this sentence. We and our law enforcement partners aggressively focus our efforts on bringing offenders like Mr. Jerome to justice.”
“Crimes like these have a grave impact on our children,” said James M. Gibbons, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Chicago. “Mr. Jerome’s lengthy prison sentence is a harsh reminder that law enforcement and the courts will not tolerate those who steal the innocence of the children and of our communities.”
According to documents in the case, Jerome was apprehended as a result of an undercover operation targeting customers of child sex tourism. On April 18, 2017, Jerome drove from Wisconsin to a hotel in Munster, Indiana, with the intent to engage in commercial sex acts with a 10-year-old female. Less than a year earlier, Jerome was convicted for attempted child enticement in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, also as the result of an undercover sting operation, and sentenced to three months imprisonment. Jerome committed the instant offense while on probation from his first conviction.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of Hammond Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abizer Zanzi.
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Gary Man Sentenced to 135 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Deshalone Davis, 21 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen on his plea of guilty to Hobbs Act Robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Davis was sentenced to 135 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $17,011.05 in restitution.
“Committing a brazen act of violence, in the middle of a crowded store during the early evening hours when many people are around will never be tolerated in this District. The sentence today shows the seriousness of this type of offense. We will continue to focus on crimes like the one above and other violent crimes to make sure justice is served to criminals like Mr. Davis,” said U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
According to documents in this case, on August 1, 2017, Davis and three others robbed a wireless store in Munster, Indiana. They entered the store during the afternoon rush hour, at approximately 5:45 pm. While holding employees and customers at gunpoint, they forced employees to empty cabinets of phones and demanded all of the cash from the register. The gunmen men fled the store in a getaway vehicle driven by Vondell Henry, Jr. Mr. Henry pled guilty in this case as is awaiting sentencing. His hearing is set for September 5, 2018.
This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the FBI with the assistance of Hammond, Munster and Gary Police Departments. This case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Chang.
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East Chicago Man Sentenced to 70 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Jose “Zay” Santiago , 40, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced before District Court Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen on his plea of guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Santiago was sentenced to 70 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. According to documents in this case, in the fall of 2016, Santiago along with co-conspirators were involved in a drug trafficking organization in East
Chicago. Santiago was an integral part of the conspiracy and assisted Deandrea “Shorty Black” Davis in procuring the kilograms of cocaine that kept a 24/7 drug operation going in the heart of East Chicago.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Lake County HIDTA Group and the East Chicago Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas McGrath.
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Elkhart Woman Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Wire Fraud and Aggravated ID TheftRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Kimberly McGuire, age 49, of Elkhart, Indiana, was sentenced by the Honorable Robert L. Miller, Jr., Judge, United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, South Bend Division, for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
McGuire was sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release and ordered to pay $584,506.22 in restitution.
According to documents filed in this case, starting in November of 2012 and continuing through April 2017, McGuire accessed the payroll system of her former employer and logged in unworked work hours under the names of more than 140 former employees. McGuire admitted to causing the wages for these unworked hours of former employees to be direct deposited into bank accounts controlled by her or her associates. She also admitted to obtaining payroll checks for the unworked hours, forging the signatures of the former employees on these checks, and depositing the checks into bank accounts controlled by her or her associates.
This case was investigated by the FBI and was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke N. Reilander.
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Elkhart Man Sentenced to 86 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Eugene Troxell, age 46, of Elkhart, Indiana, was sentenced before South Bend District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. for being a felon in possession of firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Troxell was sentenced to 86 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, Troxell sold two guns that had been stolen from a federally licensed firearms dealer. Troxell has twelve prior felony convictions in ten cases as well as nine misdemeanor convictions. His prior convictions include violent crimes and controlled substance offenses.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Middlebury Police Department and the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department and was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly E. Donnelly.
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Two Charged in Shooting of ATF AgentRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Blake King, age 19, of Chicago and Bernard Graham, age 25, of Calumet City were charged today by criminal complaint, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Both were charged by criminal complaint with the following charges:
- Forcibly assaulting, opposing, impeding, intimidating and interfering with Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives while they were engaged in the performance of their official duties, by use of deadly and dangerous weapons and infliction of bodily injury, and
- Using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing in furtherance of a crime of violence, a firearm that was discharged.
According to documents in this case, during an undercover operation with ATF in the City of Gary, the individuals identified in this press release fired upon ATF Special Agents.
U.S. Attorney Kirsch stated, “Gun violence doesn’t stop at the state line and neither do government investigations. We will continue to coordinate with law enforcement and prosecutors in this jurisdiction and others including Northern Illinois to defeat these criminals. We will never tolerate gun violence and never stop doing all we can to defeat it.”
The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that a Complaint is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty in court.
If convicted in court, 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 ATF. Other agencies that assisted with the investigation were the FBI; DEA; Homeland Security Investigations; US Marshal’s Service; Indiana State Police; Gary Police Department; Hammond Police Department; East Chicago Police Department; Merrillville Police Department; Purdue University NW Police Department; Lake County Sheriff’s Office; Lake County Prosecutor’s Office and Indiana HIDTA. This case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Mahoney and Nicholas Padilla.
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Former Merrillville Town Councilman Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for BriberyRead the Press Release
HAMMOND –Thomas Goralczyk, age 51, of Merrillville, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen on his plea of guilty to a federal bribery charge, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Goralczyk was sentenced to 15 months in prison with the court acknowledging that he had already forfeited $7500 to the United States.
“Public corruption will not be tolerated at any level,” said U.S. Attorney Kirsch. “Public officials, like Mr. Goralczyk, elected and entrusted to do the public’s work, are required to do that work free from self-dealing and graft. Today’s sentence sends a strong message of deterrence to others that want to engage in these activities. My office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue matters involving corrupt public officials. I encourage anyone with information concerning corrupt public officials to contact my office or the FBI.”
According to documents in this case, from February 2013 to February 2014 Goralczyk, while a Merrillville Town Councilman, did knowingly and corruptly solicit, demand, accept and agree to accept bribes from Individual A in exchange for a towing contract between the Town of Merrillville and Individual A’s company. Goralczyk accepted the following: a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a 2008 Ford Focus, 4 camper tires and free storage for his personal motorcycle, from Individual A, intending to be influenced and rewarded in connection with a transactions or series of transactions of the Town of Merrillville.
Goralczyk was first elected as a Merrillville Town Councilman in 2007 and took office in January 2008. He was re-elected in 2011 and began his 2nd term as 4th ward councilman in January of 2012. He served as President of the Town Council in 2011 and 2015. Goralczyk also held various other positions on the Merrillville Redevelopment Commission, Lake County Solid Waste Management Board and the governing board of NIRPC (Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission). Goralczyk admitted that he accepted bribe payments from a Federal Bureau of Investigation “cooperating individual” in the form of two vehicles. He obtained a Jeep Grand Cherokee for $400 when he knew the value was in excess of $2500. In an attempt to cover up the bribe, he presented a false bill of sale to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles representing that he paid $1000 for the vehicle. In addition, Goralczyk accepted a 2008 Ford Focus with a value in excess of $5000. He paid nothing for this vehicle, but presented a false bill of sale to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles indicating that he paid $2750 for the vehicle. Goralczyk acknowledged that he accepted both the vehicles for his own personal gain, in exchange for his promise to engage in official conduct by using his influence and power as a Merrillville Town Councilman to obtain a Town of Merrillville towing contract for the FBI “cooperating individual’s” towing company.
This case results from an investigation by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division. This case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Philip C. Benson.
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On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions Announces 311 New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Northern District of Indiana U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II announced that the Department of Justice is taking a dramatic step to increase resources to combat violent crime, enforce our immigration laws, and help roll back the devastating opioid crisis.
In the largest increase in decades, the Department of Justice is allocating 311 new Assistant United States Attorneys to assist in priority areas. Those allocations are as follows: 190 violent crime prosecutors, 86 civil enforcement prosecutors, and 35 additional immigration prosecutors. Many of the civil enforcement AUSA’s will support the newly created Prescription Interdiction & Litigation Task Force which targets the opioid crisis at every level of the distribution system.
“Under President Trump's strong leadership, the Department of Justice is going on offense against violent crime, illegal immigration, and the opioid crisis—and today we are sending in reinforcements,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “We have a saying in my office that a new federal prosecutor is 'the coin of the realm.' When we can eliminate wasteful spending, one of my first questions to my staff is if we can deploy more prosecutors to where they are needed. I have personally worked to re-purpose existing funds to support this critical mission, and as a former federal prosecutor myself, my expectations could not be higher. These exceptional and talented prosecutors are key leaders in our crime fighting partnership. This addition of new Assistant U.S. Attorney positions represents the largest increase in decades.”
The Northern District of Indiana received 4 new AUSAs from the above allocation, 3 to fight violent crime and 1 for civil enforcement.
US Attorney Kirsch said, “With these new Assistant U.S. Attorney positions, my office will commit even more prosecutorial resources to fighting violent crime and addressing the opioid crisis in the District. Along with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively go after those who break the law and ensure that they are prosecuted for their crimes.”
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Chicago Man Sentenced to 82 Months in Prison for Illegally Re-entering the U.S.Read the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Jose Martin Garcia-Escobar (a.k.a. Jose Garcia), age 39, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced before South Bend District Court Robert L. Miller, Jr for illegally re-entering the U.S. after being deported and after being convicted of felony offenses, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Garcia was sentenced to 82 months in prison.
According to documents in this case, Garcia had been removed from the U.S. on three separate occasions with the last one being July 14, 2016. He has prior felony offenses of manufacture and delivery of cannabis along with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
This case was investigated by the FBI and was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel R. Gabrielse.
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Gary Man Sentenced to 41 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Freddie Griffin, 33 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon on his plea of guilty with intent to distribute crack cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Griffin was sentenced to 41 months in prison followed by 2 years supervised release.
According to documents in this case, in December 2016, Griffin possessed with intent to distribute an amount of cocaine base, commonly called crack. In November 2016, law enforcement made three controlled buys from Griffin. Early in December, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on Griffin and recovered crack cocaine from the vehicle. During that time, Griffin told officers about guns, crack and money inside his home in Gary, Indiana. Law enforcement executed a search warrant and located additional crack along with five firearms and various ammunition. They also recovered $2,880 and drug paraphernalia from the home.
This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the FBI and was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Chang.
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Two Indiana Latin King Members Convicted of Conspiracy to Participate in Racketeering Activity, Including the Murder of a 15-Year Old BoyRead the Press Release
Two Lake County, Indiana men, both members of the Chicago-based Latin Kings, were convicted by a federal jury in the Northern District of Indiana of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute cocaine, marijuana and alprazolam, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II for the Northern District of Indiana.
Darrick Vallodolid aka Deuce, 28, of Hobart, Indiana and Robert Nieto aka Cowboy, 44, of Gary, Indiana were convicted after an 11-day jury trial before District Court Judge Philip P. Simon. The jury found that, as part of the racketeering conspiracy, on Sunday, April 12, 2009, Victor Lusinski, 15, of Lansing, Illinois, was riding a bicycle near an elementary school in Hammond, Indiana, when Vallodolid shot and killed him with a .22 caliber firearm, believing him to be a rival gang member. The evidence at trial showed that on Dec. 2, 2013, Rolando Correa, 22, of Gary, Indiana, was killed in Gary when coming to the aid of his next door neighbors, who were victims of a home invasion robbery which Nieto assisted in setting up and listened to a police scanner to assist in the escape of the robbers. The jury also found that Vallodolid and Nieto each conspired to distribute or possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine as part of the racketeering conspiracy and drug conspiracy. The jury also found that Vallodolid and Nieto each conspired to distribute or possess with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana as part of the drug conspiracy.
“The defendants participated in unspeakable violence on behalf of their vicious Latin Kings gang, including the senseless murder of a 15-year-old boy who was riding his bicycle near an elementary school in Hammond,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan. “These convictions further demonstrate the Department of Justice’s ongoing and unwavering commitment to attacking the scourge of gang violence on the streets of Chicago, Hammond, Gary, and throughout our country.”
“Reducing violent crime in Northern Indiana is a top priority of my office,” said U.S. Attorney Kirsch. “Yesterday’s guilty verdict of two killers for the Latin Kings street gang, along with the convictions of dozens of other violent gang members, will take them off of our streets and put them behind bars. My office and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively prosecute gang members like Vallodolid and Nieto and take them off our streets.”
According to evidence presented at trial and case documents, approximately 43 defendants have been charged with racketeering conspiracy as members of the Latin Kings in a criminal conspiracy that spanned a time period from 2003 until November 2017. 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 ATF/HIDTA FIRE Task Force; the East Chicago Police Department; the FBI Gang Response Investigative Team; 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 also has provided assistance. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick and Dean Lanter of the Northern District of Indiana along with Trial Attorney Joseph Cooley of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.
Two Indiana Latin King Members Convicted of Conspiracy to Participate in Racketeering Activity, Including the Murder of A 15-Year Old BoyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Two Lake County, Indiana men, both members of the Chicago-based Latin Kings,were convicted by a federal jury in the Northern District of Indiana of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute cocaine, marijuana and alprazolam, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II for the Northern District of Indiana.
Darrick Vallodolid aka Deuce, 28, of Hobart, Indiana and Robert Nieto aka Cowboy, 44, of Gary, Indiana were convicted after an 11-day jury trial before District Court Judge Philip P. Simon. The jury found that, as part of the racketeering conspiracy, on Sunday, April 12, 2009, Victor Lusinski, 15, of Lansing, Illinois, was riding a bicycle near an elementary school in Hammond, Indiana, when Vallodolid shot and killed him with a .22 caliber firearm, believing him to be a rival gang member. The evidence at trial showed that on Dec. 2, 2013, Rolando Correa, 22, of Gary, Indiana, was killed in Gary when coming to the aid of his next door neighbors, who were victims of a home invasion robbery which Nieto assisted in setting up and listened to a police scanner to assist in the escape of the robbers. The jury also found that Vallodolid and Nieto each conspired to distribute or possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine as part of the racketeering conspiracy and drug conspiracy. The jury also found that Vallodolid and Nieto each conspired to distribute or possess with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana as part of the drug conspiracy.
“The defendants participated in unspeakable violence on behalf of their vicious Latin Kings gang, including the senseless murder of a 15-year-old boy who was riding his bicycle near an elementary school in Hammond,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan. “These convictions further demonstrate the Department of Justice’s ongoing and unwavering commitment to attacking the scourge of gang violence on the streets of Chicago, Hammond, Gary, and throughout our country.”
“Reducing violent crime in Northern Indiana is a top priority of my office,” said U.S. Attorney Kirsch. “Yesterday’s guilty verdict of two killers for the Latin Kings street gang, along with the convictions of dozens of other violent gang members, will take them off of our streets and put them behind bars. My office and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively prosecute gang members like Vallodolid and Nieto and take them off our streets.”
According to evidence presented at trial and case documents, approximately 43 defendants have been charged with racketeering conspiracy as members of the Latin Kings in a criminal conspiracy that spanned a time period from 2003 until November 2017. 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 ATF/HIDTA FIRE Task Force; the East Chicago Police Department; the FBI Gang Response Investigative Team; 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 also has provided assistance. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick and Dean Lanter of the Northern District of Indiana along with Trial Attorney Joseph Cooley of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.
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South Bend Man SentencedRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Delano Murray, age 29, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced before South Bend District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Murray was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, in September 2017, Murray possessed drugs and drug-dealing paraphernalia in his car while also possessing a firearm that he used for protection while dealing.
This case was investigated by the DEA and was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse Barrett.
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South Bend Man SentencedRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Teddy King, age 37, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced before South Bend District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr for distribution of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
King was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, King, who has had 3 previous felony convictions and over 15 other contacts with law enforcement, was involved in transporting and distributing a large amount of methamphetamine in Indiana. The charges that King entered a plea of guilty to are from October 20017 when he and a co-defendant drove to Peru, Indiana to distribute methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the DEA and was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Schaffer and Molly Donnelly.
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