Northern District of Indiana

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- 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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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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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 – 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 - 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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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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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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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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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 –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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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 – 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 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.

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 – 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 – 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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SOUTH BEND - Charles William Dove, age 34, of Warsaw, Indiana was sentenced before South Bend District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. for the crime of possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch. 

Dove was sentenced to 51 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in this case, on March 28, 2017, Dove possessed a Glock pistol and a Remington shotgun in Milford, Indiana, despite having twelve (12) prior felony convictions.  Additionally, Dove had engaged in an argument with a relative by text messages and sent a photograph of himself while holding guns. 

This case was investigated by the ATF with assistance from the Warsaw Police Department.  The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Gabrielse.

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SOUTH BEND - Andrew Jacobs, age 20, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced before South Bend District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch. 

Jacobs was sentenced to 84 months imprisonment followed by 2 years of supervised release.  In the same case, last month on April 26, 2018, Lorenzo Crawford, age 20, also of South Bend, was sentenced by Judge DeGuilio for the same offense to 84 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in this case, the defendants working together placed an advertisement for escort services on Backpage.com.  A man responded by text and arranged to have sex with a fictitious prostitute at a room in a hotel.  The defendants waited for the man, grabbed him when he came to the room and proceeded to beat him.  One of the defendants brought a Smith & Wesson .38 Special revolver with them which was used to beat the victim.  The defendants also took cash, credit cards and a cell phone from the victim.   While the victim was at the hotel, one of the defendants also checked the victim’s car for money or other valuables. 

This case was investigated by the FBI.  The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Maciejczyk and Ken Hays.

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SOUTH BEND –Carlos Maez, age 40, of Mishawaka, Indiana was convicted of all counts, early evening on Wednesday, before District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

The jury convicted Maez on one count of armed bank robbery, one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to records in the case, on October 16, 2015, Maez robbed a bank located in South Bend using a firearm while having previous felony convictions.

This case was investigated by the FBI with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Molly E. Donnelly and Frank E. Schaffer.

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HAMMOND – Mary Elgin, 73, of Gary, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen  to 12 months and 1 day in prison and ordered to pay $21,311 in restitution, announced U. S. Attorney Kirsch. 

Elgin entered a plea of guilty to 2 counts of wire fraud, 1 count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 1 count of willful failure to file a tax return in April of 2017.

According to documents in this case, Ethel Shelton was convicted of two federal criminal conspiracy charges after a 10-day jury trial and is awaiting sentencing.  Co-defendant, Alex Wheeler was found not guilty during the same trial.  Elgin’s son, Steven Hunter plead guilty to 2 counts of wire fraud and 1 count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in April of 2017 and is awaiting sentencing.  Elgin created an environment whereby employees believed that retaining their jobs hinged on purchasing tickets to her political fundraising events. She used the resources of Calumet Township Trustee’s Office to further her campaign rather than the way they were intended.  The Calumet Township Trustee’s Office is a local government entity whose primary mission is to provide emergency relief and assistance to needy individuals and families.

U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “Public corruption cannot and will not be tolerated at any level.  Today’s sentence of imprisonment should send a strong message of deterrence.  Citizens expect and deserve officials to act in the best interest of the public, free from self-dealing and illegal self-enrichment.  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.”  

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of Internal Revenue Service. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Lerner, Abizer Zanzi and Philip Benson.

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HAMMOND – Daniel Bender, 52 years old, of Hebron, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen on his plea of guilty to receipt of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.

Bender was sentenced to 78 months in prison followed by 5 years supervised release, along with $35,000 restitution.

According to documents in this case, in April 2016, a Task Force Officer (TFO) with the FBI Indianapolis Division reported activity on a file-sharing network.  The activity on this network was monitored with the TFO using specialized law enforcement software.  The TFO downloaded and observed videos containing child pornography, specifically of prepubescent girls and boys engaged in sex acts with adults.  The IP address related to these downloads was tracked to Bender’s home address.  A search warrant was executed, recovering over 5500 images and 1900 videos of children and infants being sexually exploited, abused, tortured and raped. 

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the FBI and was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria N. Lerner.

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HAMMOND – Lucy Owens, age 41, of Hobart, Indiana was convicted late Friday night, on 7 counts of wire fraud, after a 5-day jury trial before District Court Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

According to records in the case, between 2010 and 2015, Owens diverted over $800,000 from her employer, a Hammond-based freight services company, through two schemes to defraud. In one scheme, Owens used her position as the company’s accounts payable clerk to fraudulently pay over $460,000 in personal credit card bills from the company’s bank account. Owens used the ill-gotten proceeds to pay for frequent family vacations, dining, clothing, jewelry, home improvements, and other items.  In the second scheme, Owens used her position as the administrator of the company’s diesel fuel card program to help two individuals obtain over $330,000 unauthorized cash advances at truck stops. One of the individuals, Kirk Stroh, also from Hobart, Indiana, was a truck driver for a rival trucking company.  Owens helped Stroh obtain over $290,000 in fraudulent cash advances at a truck stop in Lake Station, Indiana, in increments of $800 per day.  Stroh, a co-defendant in the case, who previously pled guilty, split the proceeds with Owens.

Owens sentencing date is scheduled for October 3, 2018.  Stroh is scheduled to be sentenced on September 6, 2018.

This case was investigated by the Hammond Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abizer Zanzi and Nathaniel Whalen.

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SOUTH BEND - Jeffery Henderson, age 34, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced before South Bend District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio for distributing cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Henderson was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in this case, on September 19, 2017, Henderson sold cocaine base to a person who was working for law enforcement.  Henderson has five felony convictions, several of which were drug related including one prior federal felony conviction.   Mr. Henderson was on bond from a felony case involving a firearm when he sold cocaine.   

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Mishawaka Police Department.  The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Schaffer.

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HAMMOND – Sandra Santay, 73 years old, of Whiting, Indiana, was sentenced by District Court Judge Philip Simon on her plea of guilty to bank fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.

Santay was sentenced to 27 months in prison and ordered to pay $491,169.71 in restitution.

According to documents in this case, Santay was the manager of a local credit union for over 30 years and was convicted of defrauding that credit union out of $491,169.71.

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the FBI and was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane L. Berkowitz.

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SOUTH BEND –Michael S. Barber, age 22, of Middlebury, Indiana was convicted, on all counts, after a 3-day jury trial before District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

The jury convicted Barber on one count of unlawfully taking one or more firearms from a “FFL” (Federal Firearms Licensee), one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of stolen firearms. 

According to records in the case, in February 2017, Barber and an accomplice broke into Dutchman Hunting Supplies in LaGrange County, Indiana and stole several firearms from the business.  Dutchman Hunting Supplies was a licensed firearms dealer (FFL).  Barber had a prior felony conviction so he was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Barber’s accomplice, Anthony S. Chipps, on December 4, 2017, pled guilty to theft of firearms from a licensed firearms dealer; Chipps has not yet been sentenced.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Mishawaka Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Molly E. Donnelly.

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HAMMOND – Attorney General Sessions and U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II for the Northern District of Indiana recognized the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal police officers on the occasion of National Police Week, and commented on the FBI's 2017 Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted report.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana, works closely with law enforcement and community members to provide specialized training and initiatives to reduce violent crime.  In honor of National Police Week, the Office will announce one such event, the 2018 Annual Law Enforcement conference conducted in partnership with the Southern District of Indiana U.S. Attorney’s Office.  This yearly event provides specialized training to over 500 law enforcement officials throughout the State.  In addition to major events as described, the office routinely coordinates smaller specialized courses such as the Valor Program’s Survive and Thrive training, which took place in April 2018 with over 120 officers in attendance throughout the State.  U.S. Attorney Kirsch will also attend memorial services in LaPorte County on Friday, May 11, 2018 and in Munster, Indiana on Thursday, May 17, 2018 in honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. 

“One officer death is too many,” Attorney General Sessions said.  “While we are inexpressibly grateful to have had a decrease in the number of officers killed in the line-of-duty last year, the number is still far too high.  At the Department of Justice, we honor the memories of the fallen and we pray for their families.  We are also following President Trump's Executive Orders to back the women and men in blue, to enhance law enforcement safety, and to reduce violent crime in America. Those priorities will help keep every American safe, including those who risk their lives for us.  As always, we have their backs and they have our thanks.”

“Law enforcement officers run toward conflict and gunfire to protect innocent lives in an environment where they are highly scrutinized on social media and in cell phone video clips,” said U.S. Attorney Kirsch.  “I have heard recent stories of police officers, during a typical traffic stop, being challenged on their authority when asking for a license and registration in the hopes that the individuals involved in the stop can be the next social media video hit.  Acknowledgement of police officers for a job well done seems rare these days, and we cannot know what crimes are stopped by officers being visible.  So on behalf of my Office, I want to personally thank every law enforcement officer and their families for their service, sacrifice and echo the Attorney General’s remarks that we have your back.”

According to statistics collected by the FBI, 93 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents in 2017 – a 21 percent decrease from 2016 when 118 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents.

Additionally, in 2017 there were 46 law enforcement officers killed in line-of-duty incidents as a result of felonious acts – this is a 30 percent decrease from 2016, when 66 law enforcement officer were killed in line-of-duty incidents as a result of felonious acts.

For the full comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing the fatal attacks and selected assaults resulting in injury, please see the 2017 edition of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted report, released today.

In October 1962, Congress passed and President Kennedy signed a joint resolution declaring May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.  The resolution also created National Police Week as an annual tribute to law enforcement service and sacrifice.  

During Police Week, which is observed from Sunday, May 13 to Saturday, May 19, 2018, our nation celebrates the contributions of police officers from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment in keeping our communities safe.

The names of all 93 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 30th Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13, 2018.  So that people across the country can experience this unique and powerful ceremony, the vigil will be livestreamed   beginning at 8:00 p.m. EDT on May 13th. To register for this free online event, visit www.LawMemorial.org/webcast.

The Candlelight Vigil is one of many commemorative events taking place in the nation’s capital during National Police Week 2018.

For more information about other National Police Week events, please visit www.policeweek.org.

To access the FBI's 2017 Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted report, please visit www.fbi.gov.

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SOUTH BEND – Susie Wilson, age 23, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced before South Bend District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. for conspiring to obtain firearms by providing false or fictitious statements, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Wilson was sentenced to 48 months imprisonment followed by 1 years of supervised release. 

U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “We, with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively prosecute individuals involved in firearms trafficking.”

According to documents in this case, Ms. Wilson was charged by indictment with making false statements when purchasing firearms on eight occasions from retailers in the South Bend area between August, 2016 and May 2017.  Ms. Wilson purchased the firearms for another individual.  Seven of the firearms she purchased were recovered in Chicago.  One of the firearms was involved in three shootings and one homicide. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank E. Schaffer. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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FORT WAYNE – Michael Howard, 54, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced before Chief Judge Theresa L. Springmann on his plea of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II. 

Howard was sentenced to 108 months imprisonment followed by 1 year of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, in April 2016 Howard distributed methamphetamine to a confidential source.  In May of 2016, police went to arrest Howard for the April deal and discovered over 1200 grams of methamphetamine in his backpack.     

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Fort Wayne Police Department.  This case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Geller.

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SOUTH BEND – Michelle Seljan, 47, of Hammond, Indiana, was charged by information with theft of federal funds and tax evasion, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch. 

United States Attorney Kirsch said, “Ms. Seljan betrayed the public trust by using her position with the Hammond Housing Authority for her own private gain.  Citizens deserve honest public servants who will efficiently carry out the mission of their agencies.  Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate and prosecute public corruption across the Northern District of Indiana.”

According to documents in this case, from 2013 through 2016, Ms. Seljan embezzled approximately $633,628 from the Hammond Housing Authority.  Ms. Seljan had funds sent from the Hammond Housing Authority to bank accounts she created and made those transactions appear to be legitimate housing assistance recipient payments.  During the same time period, Seljan misreported her income, evading more than $200,000 in federal taxes.

Along with this Information, a plea agreement relating to the theft of federal funds and tax evasion has been filed. 

This case was being investigated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  This case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse Barrett.

The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Information 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.

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SOUTH BEND - Edward Bishop, age 26, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced before South Bend District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. for discharging a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Bishop was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment followed by 2 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in this case, Bishop drove from Lafayette to Warsaw to sell marijuana to two individuals.  He brought other drugs along with him, as well as a loaded Taurus handgun.  When he met the buyers, the drug deal “went bad”.  Bishop exited his car and fired shots toward the buyers’ car.  One of the shots struck one of the buyers as she tried to drive away.  Broken glass, bullet fragments and the victim’s blood were found in her car.  The Taurus handgun used by Bishop was recovered by law enforcement in the trunk of Bishop’s car.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms with assistance from the Warsaw Police Department.  The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Gabrielse. 

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HAMMOND – William Salazar, 42 years old, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by District Court Judge Philip Simon on his plea of guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering activity, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.

Salazar was sentenced to 121 months imprisonment followed by 2 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in this case, Salazar entered a guilty plea for conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity for his role and participation in the Latin Kings street gang.  Salazar has been in custody since his arrest on August 4, 2016. 

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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick and Dean Lanter of the Northern District of Indiana along with Department of Justice Trial Attorney Joseph Cooley.

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HAMMOND – Daniel Labuda, 39 years old, of St. John, Indiana, was sentenced by District Court Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen on his plea of guilty to receipt of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.

Labuda was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment followed by five years supervised release and ordered to pay $48,000 in restitution. 

According to court documents, between November 2012 and January 2013, Labuda downloaded and received child pornography from various foreign websites.  Over the course of the years he collected over 390,000 still images and over 1,900 videos of child pornography including numerous visual depictions of prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct and child pornography depicting torture and violence against children.  Labuda attempted to hide this criminal activity by using anonymizing software and encryption.

This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section Trial Attorney Leslie Fisher and Assistant U. S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana Abizer Zanzi.

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HAMMOND – Ronnie Cosby, 42 years old, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced on April 23, 2018, by District Court Judge Philip Simon to life imprisonment following his convictions of one count of sex trafficking a minor, two counts of transporting a minor for prostitution and two counts of producing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.

U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “Mr. Cosby engaged in horrific acts of sex trafficking involving minors.  As demonstrated by the conviction and sentence in this case, such acts carry severe consequences for those who commit them.  Sex trafficking and crimes involving minor victims will never be tolerated.  My office and our law enforcement partners will continue to come after individuals who commit these horrible crimes to the fullest extent permitted by law.”

According to publicly available information in the case, between December 2014 and February 2015, Cosby caused two minor females to engage in prostitution at his apartment in Hammond, Indiana, and other nearby locations.  Cosby met one victim, a 14 year-old homeless girl, on Badoo, an online dating website, and within hours began prostituting her out of his apartment in Hammond, Indiana.  Cosby met the second victim, a 15 year-old high school student, through a friend, and within a day offered her sexual services online to men in exchange for money.  Cosby transported this second minor victim from Hammond to a hotel in Lansing, Illinois, where he and another working at his direction kept her under constant surveillance while arranging for men to come to the hotel to have sex with her.  Cosby took sexually explicit images of both minor victims using his mobile phone and uploaded the images to Backpage.com, a website he used to offer them up to strangers interested in paying for sex.  Cosby also texted images of both victims to friends and repeat prostitution customers to drum up additional business. 

In a coordinated law enforcement operation last month, the Justice Department seized Backpage.com, the Internet’s leading forum for prostitution ads, including ads depicting the prostitution of children.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Hammond Police Department with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and members of the Northwest Indiana Human Trafficking Working Group.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abizer Zanzi and Jill Koster.

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HAMMOND- James Struensee, 48 years old, of Dyer, Indiana, was sentenced before Hammond District Court Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen following his plea of guilty for accessing an internet connected computer system with intent to view child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.

Struensee was sentenced to 150 months imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.  He was also ordered to pay a fine of $40,000.

According to documents in this case, in 2015 Struensee logged into a website using a TOR browser to access child pornography involving prepubescent children.  Struensee admitted to, over the course of years, searching, accessing, and viewing over 200 images of child pornography.  In 2000, he was convicted of receipt of child pornography (via U.S. mail) in the Northern District of Illinois. 

This case was investigated by the FBI GRIT Task Force with the assistance of the Indiana State Police and was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Alexandra McTague.     

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HAMMOND – Daniel Murchek, 57, of Schererville, Indiana was indicted for making false statements to federal authorities, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch. 

United States Attorney Kirsch said, “Mr. Murchek lied to FBI agents who sought truthful information from him in connection with what was then an ongoing public corruption investigation of which he was aware.  Mr. Murchek did so purely to protect his self-interest and conceal his criminal conduct from the FBI.  Mr. Murchek was a police officer, sworn to uphold the law, at the time he told the lies, making his conduct particularly egregious.” 

“Public corruption is a priority of my Office.  Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate and prosecute public corruption across the Northern District of Indiana.  Citizens demand, and in fact deserve, honest public service from their elected and appointed officials.   I encourage anyone with information about possible corruption in their town or city to report it to me or to the FBI.”

According to documents in this case, at all times relevant to the indictment, the FBI was investigating public officials and towing businesses for bribery activity, among other things.  Also, at times relevant to indictment, Murchek was a candidate for Lake County Sheriff in the 2018 sheriff’s election.

On November 10, 2016, federal agents executed search warrants at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and at the home of John Buncich, who then was the elected Lake County Sheriff.  On November 14, 2016, Murchek was interviewed by the FBI about Lake County towing contracts and donations made to Murchek’s campaign for Lake County Sheriff by specific firms towing for Lake County Sheriff’s Department.  At the time of the interview, Murchek was Deputy Chief of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, a position that he had held since 2011.  During this interview, agents specifically asked Murchek about contributions from Person A and whether any of those contributions were structured to avoid Indiana campaign finance laws.  During this interview, Murchek denied he had received a structured campaign donation through Person A.  Indiana finance law prohibited persons from knowingly accepting a political contribution made by one person in the name of another, commonly known as a structured campaign contribution.  Indiana finance law also prohibited corporate political contributions to candidates seeking local offices in excess of $2,000 during a 1-year period.

In fact, during the investigation, Person A recorded conversations with Murchek and others.  During these recorded conversations, Murchek explained how to structure campaign contributions to avoid Indiana campaign finance laws.  Specifically, Murchek explained that an individual could structure campaign donations by giving money to another person who could then write a check to the campaign committee to conceal from whom the donation actually was made.  On September 23, 2016, Person A met with Murchek for the purpose of donating money to Murchek’s campaign.  Person A explained to Murchek that Person A gave $500 to one of his employees, and the employee then wrote a check for $500 to Murchek’s campaign, which check Person A provided to Murchek on that date.  Person A specifically told Murchek that the contribution was actually from Person A and not from whom the check was written.  Person A further told Murchek that Person A structured the donation as Murchek directed to avoid Indiana campaign finance laws and to “stay under the radar.”Murchek stated in part that he was “all good with that.”  During these conversations, Murchek also indicated that he would reduce the number of companies on the sheriff’s approved tow list, which action was intended, at least in part, to benefit Person A.

Along with this Indictment, a plea agreement  relating to making the aforementioned false statements has been filed.  Murchek’s initial court appearance has been scheduled for today at 9:45AM before U.S. Magistrate Judge John E. Martin.  A date for the plea hearing is not yet scheduled.

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 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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HAMMOND –Melinda Milton, 37, of East Chicago, Indiana was sentenced by District Court Judge Philip P. Simon to 204 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release following her conviction by guilty plea to one count of sex trafficking of a minor and one count of sex trafficking by fraud and coercion, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

According to documents in the case, Milton ran a prostitution business for several years by advertising females for escort services on the website Backpage.com. Between February and October 2015, Milton recruited three minor females between the ages of 15 and 16 to perform commercial sex acts for one of Milton’s regular customers. Between December 2014 and May 2015, Milton also defrauded and coerced a 21-year old female to work for Milton as a prostitute. Among other tactics, Milton supplied the adult victim with drugs and caused her to fear for her safety in order to make her more compliant.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Hammond Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Abizer Zanzi, David Nozick and Dean Lanter.

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HAMMOND- Marquis Medellin, 31 years old, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced before Hammond District Court Judge Philip Simon following his conviction for conspiracy to commit racketeering activity as a member of the Latin King street gang, announced U.S. U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.

Medellin was sentenced to 108 months imprisonment and 2 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. 

The Court held Medellin responsible for his managerial role in the Indiana Latin Kings and for activity involving at least 5 kilograms of cocaine from 2006 through 2015.

This case was jointly investigated by the FBI GRIT Task Force and ATF/HIDTA Task Force, and was prosecuted by AUSAs David J. Nozick and Dean R. Lanter.     

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