Southern District of Indiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Convicted Murderer Found Guilty of Illegally Possessing Multiple Firearms Following Federal Jury TrialRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS— A federal jury has convicted Salam Abdul Ali, 57, of Indianapolis, of illegally possessing firearms as a previously convicted felon, following a one-day trial.
According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, on January 28, 2024, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) officers were dispatched to a home for a domestic disturbance call. Upon arrival, a woman who lived at the home with her children reported that her ex-boyfriend, Salam Abdul Ali, owned guns and made threats to kill her, her children, and her brother following an argument the previous night.
On February 14, 2024, IMPD investigators conducted a court-authorized search at Ali’s residence. During the search, investigators located five firearms in his bedroom, along with ammunition and firearm accessories. Ali was present and admitted to law enforcement officers, “I got guns, I sure do,” which was captured on body worn camera.
During the investigation, officers learned that Ali’s former name was Christopher Butler. Ali changed his name from Butler after he was convicted of murder in Marion County and sentenced to sentenced to 60 years in prison. He was released from state prison in approximately 2013. In 2019, Ali was convicted in federal court for his involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy and sentenced to federal prison. Ali is permanently prohibited from ever again legally possessing a firearm as a result of his felony convictions.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and IMPD investigated this case. U.S. District Judge Matthew P. Brookman presided over the trial and will sentence the defendant at a future hearing. Ali faces up to 15 years in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Pam Domash and Zachary Szilagyi, who prosecuted this case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Operator of Unlicensed Virtual Currency Exchange AurumXchange Charged with Federal Money Laundering and Tax CrimesRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS— A federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment charging Maximiliano Pilipis, 53, previously of Noblesville, Indiana, with five counts of money laundering and two counts of willfully failing to file a tax return. The charges relate to his years-long operation of AurumXchange, an unlicensed virtual currency exchange.
Court documents allege that, from approximately 2009 through 2013, Pilipis created and operated AurumXchange to allow individuals to exchange Bitcoin and other virtual currencies for U.S. dollars, and other government-issued and virtual currencies. AurumXchange and Pilipis collected fees worth millions of dollars for facilitating these transactions, including amassing over 10,000 Bitcoin, worth approximately $1.2 million at the time.
Federal law requires that such money transmitting businesses to comply with requirements including verifying customer identities, registering with the U.S. Treasury Department, and filing reports with the federal government, to safeguard the financial system from illicit use, combat money laundering, and promote national security.
According to court documents, AurumXchange was used to conduct over 100,000 transactions, resulting in the transfer of over $30 million in funds. A portion of the funds flowing through AurumXchange allegedly came from accounts held on Silk Road, an anonymous darkweb marketplace that hosted illicit activities including the sale of illegal drugs. Silk Road was shut down by federal law enforcement in 2013 and Pilipis stopped operating AurumXchange the same year.
Over the next several years, Pilipis split up and transferred the Bitcoin and other assets derived from his operation of AurumXchange as an unlicensed money transmitting business to launder and conceal the proceeds of the offenses. In approximately 2018, he began converting the proceeds into U.S. dollars, which he invested and spent, including his purchases of real property in Arcadia and Noblesville, Indiana. He also allegedly realized hundreds of thousands of dollars in income in 2019 and 2020, without filing tax returns as required by law.
“Combatting the criminal misuse of cryptocurrencies and other digital assets is a critical priority for the Department of Justice,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Together with our partners in federal law enforcement, we will continue to work to investigate and prosecute offenders who exploit digital assets to fuel drug trafficking and other offenses, and those who unlawfully facilitate the transfer and laundering of the proceeds of crime.”
Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Indiana State Police investigated this case. If convicted, Pilipis faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine the actual sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys MaryAnn T. Mindrum and Meredith Wood, who are prosecuting this case.
An indictment or criminal complaint are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Henry County Jail Corrections Officer Charged in Federal Court with Using Excessive Force on an InmateRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS— Federal charges have been filed against Curtis Doughty, 27, of Muncie, with deprivation of rights under color of law.
According to court documents, Doughty was employed as a corrections officer in the Henry County Jail, as well as a member of the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team. On February 13, 2024, Doughty participated in a scheduled search of an inmate housing pod in the jail. During the search, inmates were moved into a holding area in the recreation yard while officers searched the cells for contraband.
During the search, Doughty was one of two officers responsible for directing inmates to face the wall and remain seated. When inmate turned his head away from the wall, Doughty, without warning, shot his pepper ball gun at point blank range into the inmate’s spine. The pepper ball shot caused bodily injury to the inmate. Doughty then yelled to the other inmates in the holding area, “congratulations, you all inhale that now,” in reference to the pepper ball gas.
Shortly after the incident, other members of the team reported the incident to a commander. The commander pulled Doughty from duty and sent him home.
The FBI investigated this case, with valuable assistance provided by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. If convicted, Doughty faces up to ten years in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter A. Blackett, who is prosecuting this case.
A criminal information is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Former Correctional Officers Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for Using Inmates’ Stolen Identities in International Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS—Martins Tochukwu Chidiobi, 34, and Lawrence Onyesonwu, 38, of Muncie, have each been sentenced to three years in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release and payment of a $5,000 fine, after pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft and making false statements to a financial institution.
According to court documents, between on or about 2015 and their arrest date in January 2019, Chidiobi and Onyesonwu worked as Correctional Officers at the New Castle Correctional Facility, a privately managed prison within the Indiana Department of Corrections. During that time, Chidiobi and Onyesonwu stole at least five inmates’ personally identifiable information, including names, dates of birth, and social security numbers. The defendants used the stolen identities of the victim inmates to open at least nine accounts at various Indiana banks using fraudulent passports. The fraudulent passports were purportedly issued by Nigeria, Liberia, and Ghana, and included pictures of the defendants, but the names and other information of the identity theft victims.
The accounts opened by the defendants with the stolen identities were then used to receive the proceeds of broader fraud schemes. A total of at least $331,282 was deposited into the defendants’ fraudulent bank accounts from at least 11 sources. Investigators worked to identify and contact individuals who deposited funds into fraudulent accounts. Of the eleven depositors able to be identified, each was themselves the victim of a “romance scam” or other fraud scheme. Further investigation revealed that the defendants also received deposits of apparent fraud proceeds into their own personal bank accounts.
The vast majority of the over $331,282 in apparent fraud proceeds received by the defendants was withdrawn as cash. A large portion of the money was transferred into Nigerian bank accounts.
“It is simply reprehensible for correctional officers to exploit their positions to steal inmates’ identities and further the financial exploitation of scam victims,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Transnational fraud schemes have lasting repercussions for victims all over the country, and everyone who commits these crimes must be held accountable. The federal prison sentences imposed here should serve as a warning that the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to pursuing financial criminals and holding them accountable.”
“This sentence highlights the FBI’s resolve to investigate and prosecute those who exploit their authority for personal gain. The men and women of the FBI are committed to showing respect for the dignity of all those we protect including victims who are incarcerated,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “I am extremely proud of the work we do to protect the rights of all Americans.”
The FBI investigated this case. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany J. Preston and Corbin D. Houston, who prosecuted this case.
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Evansville Methamphetamine Ring Dismantled, Trio Sentenced to a Combined Thirty One Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE—Michael Bravo, 27, of Conroe, Texas, George Hartley, 66, of Evansville, have each been sentenced to ten years in federal prison, and Patricia Latouche, 44, of Evansville, has all been sentenced to 140 months in federal prison after each of the defendants pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Each of the defendants will also serve five years of supervised release following their release from prison.
According to court documents, between June and November of 2020, the group worked together to distribute over 30 pounds of methamphetamine into the Evansville area. Bravo trafficked methamphetamine from Texas to his Evansville-based co-conspirators. After obtaining the methamphetamine from Bravo, Hartley and another individual, who is now deceased, further distributed it to mid-level dealers within the drug trafficking organization, including Patricia Latouche.
“Methamphetamine and other deadly controlled substances have devastating impacts on users, their loved ones, and our communities,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Drug traffickers like these defendants, responsible for pushing this poison from across the country into our neighborhoods must be held accountable for the suffering they cause in search of quick profits. This operation is an outstanding example of the impact we can have with the help of our state and local law enforcement partners. I commend the efforts of the DEA and Evansville Police Department to make our communities safer by getting meth and meth dealers off our streets.”
The DEA and Evansville Police Department investigated this case. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Wheatley, who prosecuted this case.
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Anderson Accountant Sentenced to over Three Years in Federal Prison for Embezzling Nearly One Million Dollars from his EmployerRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS—Nathaniel Wills, 34, of Anderson, has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $877,507 in restitution after pleading guilty to wire fraud.
According to court documents, for nearly six years, Wills was employed as an accountant and Director of Administration for an Indiana business. In these roles, Wills was entrusted with performing business accounting functions including among other things, writing and signing checks, making electronic payments, performing reconciliations between the company’s accounting and banking records, and maintaining the company’s accounting ledgers.
Beginning in August 2020, and continuing until at least February 2022, Wills defrauded his employer by transferring nearly $1 million to which he knew he was not entitled from the company’s payroll and operating accounts to his personal bank accounts.
The stolen funds were used to pay off his outstanding personal debts and for his own personal use, including online gambling.
It an attempt to conceal his scheme, Wills made false entries in the company’s accounting system by recording that transfers of funds were payments of invoices, falsifying inventory logs, listing jobs as unpaid, and voiding checks. Wills also obtained a principal advance of $80,000 from his employer’s line of credit in order to meet the company’s payroll and vendor payment obligations.
In total, Wills stole approximately $952,237.06 from his employer through 120 transactions. Wills’ conduct resulted in substantial financial hardship to the company.
“For a year and a half, this defendant repaid the trust of his employer with deceit and theft, helping himself to nearly one million dollars and cooking the books to hide the evidence,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Fraud and embezzlement can have devastating effects on the victim individuals and companies. The federal prison sentence imposed here demonstrates that those who commit financial crimes will pay a serious price. I commend the FBI and our federal prosecutors for their efforts to investigate these crimes and hold the defendant accountable.”
“This was not just a financial crime but an act of betrayal of the defendant’s employer that could have had a devastating and crippling effect on the business and its employees,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “Anyone who believes they can steal without consequence will find out the FBI aggressively pursues those who exploit their positions of trust for personal gain to ensure they are held accountable.”
The FBI investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith Wood and Tiffany J. Preston, who prosecuted this case.
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Evansville Felon Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison for 3D Printing Ghost Gun and Dozens of “Glock Switches”Read the Press Release
EVANSVILLE- Marquel D. Payne, 39, of Evansville, has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a machinegun.
According to court documents, on January 31, 2024, Evansville Police Department officers observed Payne in possession of a 3D printer while conducting surveillance near his residence. Investigators had received information that Payne was manufacturing machine gun parts using a 3D printer before the surveillance began.
Investigators obtained search warrants for Payne’s residence and other locations he controlled. During the searches, investigators found approximately 60 plastic machine gun conversion devices, a 9mm personally made handgun, also known as a “ghost gun” due to its lack of any traceable serial numbering, an AR-15 rifle, a 3D printer, plastic printing filament, a 3D printed firearm silencer, and 9mm caliber ammunition.
Machinegun conversion devices sometimes called “Glock switches” or “auto-sears” are devices that convert ordinary semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic machineguns. Machinegun conversion devices are themselves considered machineguns under federal law, even when not installed, and are illegal for individuals to produce, possess, or sell. The hand grip of the 9mm ghost gun was produced by Payne using a 3D printer. Other parts of the ghost gun were produced in Pennsylvania.
At the time of his arrest, Payne had been previously convicted of numerous felonies, including escape, carrying a handgun without a license, and criminal recklessness while armed with a deadly weapon. These prior felony convictions prohibit Payne from ever again legally possessing a firearm.
“Getting illegal machinegun conversion devices off our streets is a critical public safety priority. Fully automatic weapons and untraceable ‘ghost guns’ pose a serious danger to our communities, especially when they are in the hands of people who have no lawful business possessing any firearm,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “This prosecution is the result of quick and impactful investigative work by our outstanding partners at the Evansville-Vanderburgh Crime Gun Intelligence Center. Together we are committed to saving lives and reducing gun violence by combining intelligence and resources to investigate and prosecute dangerous offenders.”
“Unfortunately, these deadly conversion devices continue to show up in our communities,” stated Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “U.S. law has long recognized that automatic weapons pose a special risk to public safety, both through the sheer volume of bullets fired and the likelihood that innocent bystanders will be injured or killed. Combine that with an untraceable firearm and an unregistered silencer in the hands of a convicted felon, and it is clear that this individual is solely interested in feeding violence in southern Indiana. ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who use and distribute machine gun conversion devices.”
“My office applied for and was awarded a $700,000 federal grant to form the crime gun intelligence center where our mission is clear: to work with our state and federal partners to combat the rising crime in Vanderburgh County. We are now seeing the fruits of our labor,” said Prosecutor Diana Moers. “My office and our state and federal partners will stop at nothing to identify and prosecute any who seek to commit violent crimes in our community - this case is a result of teamwork and, with our agencies working together, we expect more cases like this: we are ahead of criminal activity and not simply reacting. Anyone planning to break the law in Vanderburgh County should swiftly reconsider.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Evansville Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC), the Evansville Police Department, and Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case.
In October 2023, the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, and Evansville Police Department secured a nearly $700,000 federal grant to establish a Crime Gun Intelligence Center. The goal of the Evansville-Vanderburgh Crime Gun Intelligence Center is to quickly identify and reduce the amount of gun crime in the Evansville-Vanderburgh County area by providing intelligence, analysis, and resources between agencies for the swift identification and apprehension of suspected armed criminals.
The Department of Justice’s National Ghost Gun Initiative was launched in February 2022 in response to the proliferation of ghost guns in our communities, and the growing number of criminals who unlawfully use or possess these untraceable weapons. The Attorney General directed U.S. Attorney’s Offices to train a national cadre of prosecutors as experts to lead investigations and prosecutions of crimes involving ghost guns. These ghost gun coordinators will also share investigation and prosecution tools with other prosecutors and law enforcement officers. As part of the initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana will focus its investigation and prosecution resources on combatting the illegal possession and use of ghost guns.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Appoints District Election Officer to Monitor Federal Election Law Violations in Southern District of IndianaRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Zachary A. Myers announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Tiffany J. Preston will lead the efforts of the Southern District of Indiana’s Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSA Preston has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Southern District of Indiana, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
U.S. Attorney Myers said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
U.S. Attorney Myers stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, DEO Preston will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. She can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 317-226-6333.”
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 317-595-4000.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.
United States Attorney Myers said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
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Fishers Woman Facing Federal Charges for Fraud and Forging Signature of a Federal JudgeRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS— A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Christi Lee Dodd, 51, of Fishers, Indiana, with wire fraud and forging the signature of a federal judge.
According to the court documents, Dodd first filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the Southern District of Indiana in January 2015. In April 2015, a federal bankruptcy judge issued a signed discharge order releasing Dodd from liability for any remaining debts not resolved in the bankruptcy proceedings.
In December 2019, Dodd again filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in the Southern District of Indiana, but later decided not to proceed and moved to have the 2019 case dismissed. In June 2022, the bankruptcy court dismissed Dodd’s 2019 bankruptcy petition. The court did not issue a discharge order in the 2019 case, and none of Dodd’s unpaid debts were resolved.
In 2023, Dodd allegedly created and forged a discharge order purporting to absolve her of debts related to her 2019 Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition. Dodd emailed the fraudulent document to a financial institution purportedly proving that she had received a discharge in her 2019 bankruptcy case so that she could obtain a line of credit to pay outstanding debts owed by the trucking business she owned.
The emailed document was purportedly filed in Dodd’s second bankruptcy case with the heading, “DISCHARGE OF DEBTOR IN A CHAPTER 13 CASE.” As alleged in the indictment, the forged document was in fact created by Dodd using the discharge order from her first bankruptcy under Chapter 7 and contained the forged signature of the judge who issued the 2015 discharge order.
“Protecting the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system is an important priority of the Department of Justice. Our office is committed to working closely with our partners at the U.S. Trustee Program to uphold the law and protect the interests of debtors and creditors,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.
“The filing of a fraudulent court order containing the forged signature of a bankruptcy judge strikes at the very core of the integrity of the bankruptcy system and will not be tolerated,” said Nancy J. Gargula, United States Trustee for Indiana and the Central and Southern Districts of Illinois (Region 10). “We are grateful for U.S. Attorney Myers and our law enforcement partners for their commitment to protect the integrity of the bankruptcy process in the Southern District of Indiana., as demonstrated by this indictment.”
The FBI and U.S. Trustee’s Office is investigating this case in collaboration with the Southern District of Indiana Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group. The United States Trustee Program is the component of the Department of Justice responsible for overseeing the administration of bankruptcy cases and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws. If convicted, Dodd faces up to twenty-five years in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Eakman, who is prosecuting this case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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IMPD Sergeant Facing Federal Charges for Possession and Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS—A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant, Javed Richards, 42, with five counts of distribution of child sexual abuse material and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material. Richards had his initial appearance in federal court on October 10th.
According to the indictment, on July 14, 2024, Richards allegedly distributed at least five videos of minors under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct to other individuals via the Kik messenger application. Richards is further charged with possessing numerous images and videos of child sex abuse material on his iCloud account.
IMPD announced it has suspended Sergeant Richards pending a recommendation of termination to the IMPD Civilian Police Merit Board.
The FBI and Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is investigating this case, with cooperation from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. If convicted, Richards faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, who is prosecuting this case.
This investigation was conducted by the FBI which is part of the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a multiagency task force led by the Indiana State Police that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to sexually exploit or entice children. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators evaluate thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse. Visit https://www.internetcrimesagainstkids.com to learn more about their efforts.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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IMPD Sergeant Facing Federal Charges for Possession and Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS—A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant, Javed Richards, 42, with five counts of distribution of child sexual abuse material and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material. Richards had his initial appearance in federal court on October 10th.
According to the indictment, on July 14, 2024, Richards allegedly distributed at least five videos of minors under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct to other individuals via the Kik messenger application. Richards is further charged with possessing numerous images and videos of child sex abuse material on his iCloud account.
IMPD announced it has suspended Sergeant Richards pending a recommendation of termination to the IMPD Civilian Police Merit Board.
The FBI and Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is investigating this case, with cooperation from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. If convicted, Richards faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, who is prosecuting this case.
This investigation was conducted by the FBI which is part of the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a multiagency task force led by the Indiana State Police that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to sexually exploit or entice children. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators evaluate thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse. Visit https://www.internetcrimesagainstkids.com to learn more about their efforts.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Former Postal Service Employee Sentenced for Stealing Money and Gift Cards from the MailRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS—Justin Crain, 29, of Indianapolis, has been convicted of a felony and sentenced to 180 days of home detention, followed by three years of probation, 40 hours of community service, and a $5,000 fine after pleading guilty to mail theft by a U.S. Postal Service employee.
According to court documents, Justin Crain was employed as a U.S. Postal Service Mail Processing Clerk at its Indianapolis Processing and Distribution Center. The Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General began an investigation after it identified numerous mail items that passed through the Indianapolis processing center and had been opened before being delivered to their intended recipients. Video surveillance captured Crain opening numerous greeting cards and removing cash and gift cards from inside.
Over the course of just two hours, Crain was seen dozens of times rifling through mail items attempting to find cash. Crain was interviewed by investigators and admitted to stealing approximately $5,000 over the course of a few months.
“The vast majority of Postal employees are dedicated to their important mission and serve the public admirably, delivering people’s private, important, and sensitive items,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “The defendant was sworn and entrusted to protect the public’s mail, and instead abused his position to steal gifts meant to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and special events. Public service is a public trust, and government employees who use their positions to steal from the public will be identified and held accountable.”
The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Wood, who prosecuted this case.
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Former New Castle Police Lieutenant Found Guilty of Excessive Use of Force and Attempted Cover-Up Following Federal Jury TrialRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS—A federal jury has convicted Aaron Strong, 46, of New Castle, of three counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of witness tampering, following a five-day trial.
According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, Aaron Strong was employed as a police officer with the New Castle Police Department. At the time the events occurred, Strong was a Lieutenant and served as Commander of the Henry County S.W.A.T. Team. Between 2017 and 2019, Strong engaged in a pattern of excessive use of force against a New Castle resident during the course of an arrest, and two detainees at the Henry County Jail.
On July 12, 2017, Strong was part of a group of law enforcement and correctional officers that responded to reports that inmates were intoxicated at the Henry County Transition Center, a dormitory-style area of the facility designated for detainees who posed a lower security risk. When officers arrived and directed detainees to get on the ground, detainees proceeded to lay on the ground or get to their knees. Inmate “T.C” was laying on the ground when Lieutenant Strong encountered him. In response to a comment made by the inmate, Strong stomped on T.C.’s head multiple times, causing significant bodily harm.
During the same incident, inmate “E.S.” initially got to his knees when officers ordered him to get on the ground, before eventually laying on the ground as directed. In response to the inmate’s delay in getting all the way to the ground, Lieutenant Strong shot him in the back with a “bean bag” shotgun round at point-blank range—approximately four feet away. The shot fractured the victim’s spine. All of the events at the Henry County Transition Center that day were captured on video. Other responding officers were so disturbed by Strong’s conduct that they immediately reported the incident to supervisors. As a result of Strong’s actions, the New Castle Police Department removed Strong from its S.W.A.T. Team.
On August 18, 2019, New Castle Police engaged in a foot pursuit of “J.W.,” the subject of an investigation. After J.W. lowered himself to the ground, put his hands up and said, “I’m done,” officers began the process of putting him under arrest. As J.W. was lying face down and other officers were working to place him in handcuffs, Lieutenant Strong, without provocation, began to strike the arrestee on his arms, neck, and head with an expandable baton, resulting in significant bodily injury. In an attempt to cover up his illegal use of force against J.W., Strong knowingly made false statements to an Indiana State Police Trooper during the investigation of the 2019 incident.
A second defendant, former Henry County Reserve Deputy Adam Guy, was acquitted by the jury of a single count of witness tampering related to the 2019 incident.
“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to serve our communities. Their jobs are difficult, dangerous, and noble,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Aaron Strong is not noble. He repeatedly and unlawfully abused his position of authority to inflict violence, injury, and pain—with no lawful justification. He then lied to cover it up. Our community deserves better. Together with our partners at the Department of Justice, the FBI, and Indiana State Police, our federal prosecutors will continue to seek accountability for police who illegally assault those they are sworn to protect.”
“Aaron Strong is a repeat offender who defied his oath and abused his law enforcement authority to violently and unlawfully assault multiple individuals,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This defendant put his fellow officers in danger and grievously injured people in his custody, whose wellbeing and rights he had a legal and moral duty to protect. Strong betrayed the law enforcement profession when he told lie after lie in an effort to cover up his crimes and derail an independent investigation. This unanimous jury verdict makes clear a core principle in our country – law enforcement officers are not above the law and will be held accountable for their crimes.”
"When those who are sworn to protect the public instead use excessive force it destroys trust in law enforcement and perpetuates fear,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI will continue to ensure those abusing their power will be investigated and held accountable.”
The FBI and Indiana State Police investigated this case, with the cooperation and assistance of the New Castle Police Department and Henry County Sheriff’s Office. Chief U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt presided over the trial. Strong is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 7, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter A. Blackett and the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section Trial Attorney Alec Ward, who prosecuted this case.
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Former Indiana Police Lieutenant Convicted of Federal Civil Rights Violation and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a former New Castle, Indiana, police lieutenant last Friday on multiple counts of using excessive force against people in custody and one count of obstruction of justice by witness tampering.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Aaron Jason Strong, 47, while a lieutenant at the New Castle Police Department, physically abused a suspect and two pretrial detainees and made false statements to an Indiana State Police detective who had been assigned to investigate an allegation against him.
“Aaron Strong is a repeat offender who defied his oath and abused his law enforcement authority to violently and unlawfully assault multiple individuals,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This defendant put his fellow officers in danger and grievously injured people in his custody, whose wellbeing and rights he had a legal and moral duty to protect. Strong betrayed the law enforcement profession when he told lie after lie in an effort to cover up his crimes and derail an independent investigation. This unanimous jury verdict makes clear a core principle in our country – law enforcement officers are not above the law and will be held accountable for their crimes.”
“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to serve our communities. Their jobs are difficult, dangerous and noble,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana. “Aaron Strong is not noble. He repeatedly and unlawfully abused his position of authority to inflict violence, injury and pain — with no lawful justification. He then lied to cover it up. Our community deserves better. Together with our partners at the Justice Department, the FBI and Indiana State Police, our federal prosecutors will continue to seek accountability for police who illegally assault those they are sworn to protect.”
"When those who are sworn to protect the public instead use excessive force it destroys trust in law enforcement and perpetuates fear,” said Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton of the FBI Indianapolis Field Office. “The FBI will continue to ensure those abusing their power will be investigated and held accountable.”
Evidence showed that, in August 2019, then-Lieutenant Strong responded to another officer’s report of a foot chase. As Strong arrived, the suspect stopped running, put his hands up, said “I’m done” and lowered himself to the ground. As another officer approached to take the suspect into custody, Strong ran up and struck the suspect at least 12 times with a metal police baton, nearly striking a fellow officer. The incident was promptly reported by other involved officers, and the Indiana State Police were called in to conduct an independent criminal investigation. During a meeting with the State Police investigator, Strong gave a false account of the incident in which he minimized his own use of force and exaggerated the danger posed by the suspect.
Evidence also showed that, in July 2017, Strong, while acting in his capacity as the commanding officer of the Henry County, Indiana, SWAT Team, had abused two men being held in pretrial detention at the Henry County Transition Center, a low-security annex of the Henry County Jail. The SWAT Team had been requested to assist jail officers with moving a small number of inmates who had become intoxicated on contraband alcohol from the Transition Center to the main jail. While inside the Transition Center, Strong stomped on the head of a detainee who was complying with commands to lie on the ground. A few moments later, Strong approached a second inmate, who was kneeling, not moving, with his back to Strong, and shot him point-blank in the back with a less-lethal “beanbag” round, which Strong knew could cause death or serious bodily injury when used at short ranges. The impact from the round fractured the detainee’s spine.
Numerous current and former New Castle and Henry County law enforcement officers testified for the prosecution.
Strong was convicted of three counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of witness tampering. A co-defendant, Strong’s nephew, was found not guilty of one count of witness tampering.
Strong is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 7, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Indianapolis Field Office and Indiana State Police investigated the case, with assistance from the New Castle Police Department.
Trial Attorney Alec Ward of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Blackett for the Southern District of Indiana are prosecuting the case.
Trio Responsible for Eight Armed Robberies of Indianapolis-Area Cell Phone Stores Sentenced to Combined Sixty-Five Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Robdarius Williams, 21, D’Maurah Bryant, 21, and Quintez Tucker, 20, all of Indianapolis, have all been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a series of eight armed robberies of Indianapolis cell phone retailers.
DefendantChargesSentenceQuintez Tucker, 20Eight counts of robbery
Four counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence
30 years in prison
3 years of supervised release$64,894 in restitution
D’Maurah Bryant, 21Four counts of robbery
Three counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence
25 years in prison
3 years of supervised release$24,485 in restitution
Robdarius Williams, 21One count of robbery
Brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
9.5 years in prison
3 years of supervised releaseIn April of 2024, Tucker and Bryant each plead guilty. In June of 2024, a federal jury found Williams guilty following a one-and-a-half-day trial.
According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, from November 8 through December 3, 2021, Tucker and Bryant worked together to rob eight cell phone retailers around Indianapolis. During each robbery, the men brandished firearms and pointed them at employees, demanded cash, cell phones, and accessories from the store and customers. Williams joined in the eighth and final armed robbery as the getaway driver, stole a license plate for the getaway car and took Tucker to pick up an AR-style rifle used in the robbery.
In total, the trio robbed eight businesses in twenty-five days:
DateLocationDefendantsNovember 8, 2021Verizon, Olio Rd., Fishers.Tucker & BryantNovember 18, 2021T-Mobile, Southport Rd.Tucker & BryantNovember 23, 2021Verizon, Kessler Blvd.Tucker & BryantNovember 26, 2021T-Mobile, E. 86th St.Tucker & BryantNovember 29, 2021T-Mobile, Fox Rd.Tucker & BryantDecember 1, 2021T-Mobile, E. Stop 11 Rd.Tucker & BryantDecember 1, 2021T-Mobile, W. 38th St.Tucker & BryantDecember 3, 2021AT&T, S. Emerson Ave.Tucker & Williams“No one should have a gun pointed in their face by heartless criminals simply because they went shopping, or went to work,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “These armed criminals terrorized their victims with utter disregard for the consequences of their actions—going so far as to point an AR-style firearm at a toddler as their parent shielded the child with their body. These horrific crimes will not be tolerated in our community. The Department of Justice has no higher priority than keeping the public safe from armed, violent crimes. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the FBI, the Fishers Police Department, IMPD, and our federal prosecutors, our communities will be protected from these criminals for many years to come.”
“The lengthy sentences handed out should serve as a deterrent to remind potential offenders that the FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting those who live in the communities we serve,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The defendants didn’t just steal items; they instilled a sense of fear in and disrupted the lives of their victims.
“The sentencing of these three violent felons to a combined 65 years in prison sends a strong message that our community will not tolerate such criminal behavior,” said Ed Gebhart, Fishers Police Chief, “I commend the hard work of our officers, our law enforcement partners and the justice system for ensuring that these dangerous individuals will be off the streets for a significant amount of time.”
The FBI investigated this case. The Fishers Police Department, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and the Marion County Prosecutors Office also provided valuable assistance. The sentences were imposed by U.S District Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremy C. Fugate and Peter A. Blackett, who prosecuted this case.
This case was 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. The Department of Justice 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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Evansville Woman Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Embezzling over $550,000 from her Employer over Fifteen YearsRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE—Rebecca Willis, 67, of Evansville, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to eight counts of wire fraud.
According to court documents, Willis was employed as a bookkeeper with an architecture firm at its Evansville location for more than twenty years. She had various financial responsibilities, including handling accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll.
Between 2006 and 2021, Willis entered false payroll data to unjustly enrich herself. She inflated her regular hours, overtime hours, bonuses, and mileage reimbursement to cause her employer to pay her more than she was actually owed. Willis’ bi-weekly pay was generally 40% fraudulent and 60% legitimate. Additionally, Willis used the company’s business account and company credit cards to make unauthorized purchases of items that she retained for her personal use and benefit, including gift cards and gasoline. In total, Willis stole approximately $570,209.47 from her employer over fifteen years.
“This defendant lied, stole, and cooked the books to line her pocket with no remorse, betraying her employer of two decades and repaying their trust by fraudulently increasing her income by nearly forty percent over fifteen years,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Fraud and embezzlement can have devastating effects on companies. The federal prison sentence imposed here demonstrates that those who commit financial crimes will pay a serious price. I commend the FBI, Evansville Police Department, and our federal prosecutor for their efforts to investigate these crimes and hold the defendant accountable.”
The FBI and Evansville Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young. Willis was also ordered to pay $570,209.47 in restitution to her former employer.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Miller, who prosecuted this case.
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Indianapolis Gun Trafficker Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for “Straw Purchases” of Thirty-Six GunsRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS—Kayvonn Bailey, 26, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to making a false statement to a licensed firearms importer.
According to court documents, on September 2, 2022, Bailey bought a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Beech Grove Indiana. The purchase was captured on store surveillance video, which showed Bailey going to the store with another person. As part of the purchase, Bailey falsely stated on required federal firearms transaction forms that he was the actual buyer of the firearm. In fact, Bailey illegally purchased the gun on behalf this other individual—a gun trafficking scheme known as “straw purchasing”—and Bailey handed the other person the gun after they left the store.
Straw purchasing occurs when a person who is allowed to legally purchase a gun from a federally licensed dealer falsely states that they are purchasing a firearm for themselves, when they know that the gun is actually intended for someone else—frequently someone who is legally prohibited from making the purchase themselves.
On October 20, 2022, the same Smith and Wesson was recovered in Pennsylvania during a traffic stop. During the stop, the driver stated that he was not a United States citizen. Many non-citizens are prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms, depending on their specific immigration status. The Pennsylvania driver told investigators Bailey was able to get him firearms, and that went with Bailey to the gun store in Beech Grove to purchase the firearm.
Bailey later confirmed to investigators that he purchased the firearm for the person who accompanied him to the store, and that he had illegally straw-purchased and sold thirty-six firearms. In May of 2023, after the illegal firearm purchases, Bailey was convicted in state court of domestic battery and intimidation using a firearm.
“Unscrupulous individuals who illegally put guns in the hands of folks who have no lawful business being armed help fuel gun violence in Indiana and across the country,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Not only did this criminal illegally traffic three dozen guns into the hands of prohibited people, but he also later engaged in armed domestic violence, demonstrating the danger he poses to his partner and our community. Together, with our partners at ATF, our office will continue to make our neighborhoods safer by targeting the sources of crime guns and holding illegal gun traffickers accountable.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy C. Fugate, who prosecuted this case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was brought as part of the LEATH Initiative (Law Enforcement Action to Halt Domestic Violence), named in honor of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Officer Breann Leath, who was killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance call. A partnership among the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the IMPD, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, the LEATH Initiative focuses federal, state, and local law enforcement resources on domestic violence offenders who illegally possess firearms.
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Evansville Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison for Receiving and Possessing Explicit Images of Children via SnapchatRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE—Christopher Vickers, 41, of Evansville, has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to one count of possession and three counts of receipt of child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, on July 17, 2023, investigators were alerted to a Snapchat account being used to upload, store, and share child sexual abuse material. Further investigation identified Christopher Vickers as the owner of the Snapchat account.
On July 26, 2023, investigators executed a search warrant at Vickers’ apartment and found multiple cell phones containing over 500 images and videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The still image and video files included depictions of children engaged in sex acts with adult men and children under the age of 12 years old. The Snapchat account used by Vickers was also installed on one of the cell phones. Investigation revealed that Vickers used the Snapchat account to seek out groups of like-minded Snapchat users with a sexual interest in children to share and discuss depictions of child sexual abuse.
During the search of the apartment, investigators found objects reflecting his sexual interest in children, including underwear made for young girls located in Vickers’ bedroom closet. Investigators learned that the underwear had been stolen from children who Vickers had access to in the past. Further investigation revealed that Vickers, who was then 40, was involved in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl at the time investigators searched his apartment.
“Pedophiles use social media platforms like Snapchat to share their interests with like-minded individuals—gathering online to traffic in child sexual abuse materials,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Prosecution of these criminals helps make our children safer and sends the message that Snapchat and other platforms are not a safe space for predators to trade in images of abuse. Together with our partners at the FBI and local police departments, our office will continue to vigorously prosecute child sex offenders and seek to send them to federal prison where they cannot further harm our children.”
The FBI and Evansville Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young. Vickers must also register as a sex offender wherever he lives, works, or goes to school.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
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Illegally Armed Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to Fifteen Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS—Desmond Valentine, 32, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 190 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
According to court documents, on April 14, 2022, Valentine was pulled over by IMPD officers and arrested on a state charge for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. During a search, officers found a plastic baggie containing 7.31 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin in Valentine’s pocket. Officers also found a 9mm Glock handgun inside of the pocket of a jacket laying in the back seat.
On the same day, IMPD officers executed a search warrant at Valentine’s Indianapolis home. There, they found items used for preparing and processing fentanyl and heroin, including digital scales, cutting agents, and blender equipment. Through subsequent investigation, officers determined that Valentine had been dealing heroin and fentanyl since the summer of 2021, distributing over 400 grams of fentanyl.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, depending on a person’s body size, tolerance, and past usage—a tiny amount that can fit on the tip of a pencil. Seven out of ten illegal fentanyl tablets seized from U.S. streets and analyzed by the DEA have been found to contain a potentially lethal dose of the drug.
Valentine is prohibited by law from ever possessing a firearm due to his previous felony convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, aggravated battery, and robbery.
“This violent felon was pumping deadly fentanyl and heroin into our community—all while illegally armed,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Every neighborhood deserves to be safe from criminals dealing deadly drugs and armed with deadly weapons. I commend the DEA, IMPD, and our federal prosecutors for their efforts to hold this defendant accountable and take him off our streets. The federal prison sentence imposed here demonstrates that these very serious crimes carry very serious consequences.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by Chief U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha G. Spiro, who prosecuted this case.
One Pill Can Kill: Avoid pills bought on the street because One Pill Can Kill. Fentanyl has now become the leading cause of death for adults in the United States. Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that drug dealers dilute with cutting agents to make counterfeit prescription pills that appear to be Oxycodone, Percocet, Xanax, and other drugs. Fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl are usually shaped and colored to look like pills sold at pharmacies. For example, fake prescription pills known as “M30s” imitate Oxycodone obtained from a pharmacy, but when sold on the street the pills routinely contain fentanyl. These pills are usually round tablets and often light blue in color, though they may be in different shapes and a rainbow of colors. They often have “M” and “30” imprinted on opposite sides of the pill. Do not take these or any other pills bought on the street – they are routinely fake and poisonous, and you won’t know until it’s too late.
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Former Social Security Administration Employee Sentenced for Fraudulent Telework, Emergency Childcare, and Medical Leave SchemesRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Christopher Markham, 40, of Westfield, Indiana, has been sentenced to two years of probation and has been ordered to pay $49,255 in restitution after pleading guilty to wire fraud.
According to court documents, Markham was employed by the Social Security Administration and assigned to an office in Anderson, Indiana. Between February 13, 2019, and June 17, 2022, Markham engaged in a scheme by which he made it appear as though he was teleworking full-time for Social Security Administration (SSA) during workdays, when in reality he was earning income working as a home inspector for his personal business. Markham was paid his full federal salary and benefits, while concealing the fact that he was working for his personal business and not for SSA.
Markham routinely performed home inspections for his personal business during the workweek while purporting to “telework” on official SSA time. He concealed the fact that he was not performing SSA work during official work hours by having his wife and his mother access the SSA computer system and send emails to supervisors to make it appear as though he was online and working.
Markham nevertheless sought to be paid in full during this period and submitted 53 fraudulent time reports to SSA’s online timekeeping portal, as well as falsified daily work logs to his supervisors.
Additionally, Markham engaged in other fraud schemes to obtain Emergency Paid Leave by falsely claiming he was required to stay home to take care of his children. In fact, his children were in daycare, and he was again performing work for and earning income from his personal business. He allegedly performed at least 70 home inspections for his personal business while claiming to be providing emergency care for his children.
Finally, on multiple occasions, Markham fraudulently claimed benefits under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) by falsely claiming he was unable to work due to illness—when he was actually doing home inspections for his personal business. Markham even attended an F.C. Tucker retreat promoting his business while claiming he was on FMLA leave.
On June 4 and 5, 2020, Markham was granted administrative leave after claiming that the internet wire to his home had been cut. Markham advised that his internet provider would not be able to send anyone to his home to repair the wire until Friday, June 5, 2020. In reality, his internet provider had no record of a damaged wire, and Markham used the administrative leave to take an unapproved, paid vacation to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
In total, Markham’s fraudulent conduct caused a loss to the SSA of approximately $49,255, which he has been court ordered to repay. Markham’s failure to perform his duties caused needy members of the public to have their social security benefits delayed, including people with autism, blindness, and end stage cancer.
“Telework and emergency leave policies exist to provide needed flexibility and support to hard-working federal employees—not to supplement the incomes of no-show employees who want to double-dip on the public’s dime while working for a private business,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “The defendant’s conduct was even more egregious because his failure to work harmed Americans who were depending on him to receive the much-needed benefits to which they were entitled. Public service is a public trust, and those who abuse that trust will be held accountable.”
“Christopher Markham abused a position of trust and in doing so performed a disservice to SSA, its beneficiaries, and to the taxpayers. His selfish criminal acts demonstrated greed without regard for those he was employed to serve,” said Michelle L. Anderson, Acting SSA Inspector General. “This sentence holds him accountable for the crimes he committed by pretending to telework, neglecting his assigned work, and falsifying official leave and attendance records. We will continue to work to protect the integrity of SSA, its programs and employees. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work in prosecuting this case.”
As employees of the Social Security Administration, we hold ourselves to high standards of integrity and trust,” said Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley. “We will continue to refer matters to our OIG for investigation – as we did in this case – when we see an employee potentially violating that.”The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Bradley P. Shepard, who prosecuted this case.
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Violent Henderson Felon Sentenced to Almost Four Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a GunRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE—Daniel Matthew Connell, 28, of Henderson, Kentucky, has been sentenced to 47 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on January 22, 2024, Daniel Connell was a passenger in a vehicle Indiana State Police troopers stopped for a traffic violation. Troopers observed a syringe in the center console. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, troopers found a loaded, .40 caliber handgun under the front passenger seat where Connell was seated. Troopers located a live .40 caliber round of ammunition in his pants pocket during a pat-down search, the same size and manufacturer as the rounds loaded in the seized handgun.
Connell was arrested for possession of the syringe and illegal possession of a firearm and held in the Vanderburgh County Jail. While he was detained, Connell used recorded jail phone lines to make calls in which he openly admitted to possessing the firearm and attempted to get his mother to contact investigators and claim that it was her firearm to avoid prosecution.
Connell is prohibited by law from ever possessing a firearm due to his previous felony convictions for second-degree robbery and first-degree possession of Methamphetamine in the Henderson, Kentucky courts.
“Illegally armed felons drive gun violence and other criminal activity in our communities,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office, in partnership with ATF and our state and local partners, will continue to prioritize federal prosecution of the armed criminals who pose the greatest danger to those closest to them and to the public. The sentence imposed today demonstrates that violent criminals who choose to illegally possess guns risk significant time in federal prison with no possibility of parole.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Indiana State Police and Evansville Crime Guns Intelligence Center investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Richard L. Young.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case.
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Second Child Predator Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Abusing a Child and Drugging Them with MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS—Dustin Scott Cox, 54, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child.
According to court documents, between at least February and September of 2020, Dustin Cox conspired with Zachary Nichols to sexually abuse and produce sexual images of a fifteen-year-old child. Cox is a repeat child sex offender, convicted in 2004 for coercing a 14-year-old to perform sex acts in exchange for a new bicycle.
In 2020, Cox was Zachary Nichols’ methamphetamine dealer. Nichols sexually abused the child victim for years. Nichols began allowing Cox to sexually abuse the child as well, in exchange for supplying Nichols with methamphetamine. On multiple occasions, Cox and Nichols recorded their sexual abuse of the victim. The child was nearly incapacitated because of drug use in some of the child sex abuse material that Nichols and Cox created.
In June of 2024, Zachary Nichols was sentenced to 42 years in federal prison for his role in sexually exploiting and abusing the child.
“These heinous predators repeatedly sexually abused a child, incapacitated them with meth, and traded the victim’s body for drugs,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Our hearts go out to the survivor of these horrific abuses, and we hope this prosecution brings them some measure of peace. The lifelong trauma inflicted by these sick criminals merits federal prison sentences that will ensure that neither of them ever harms another child. Together with our partners at the FBI and IMPD, our office is committed aggressively prosecuting sex offenders who prey upon our children and removing them from our communities.”
“Every child deserves to be live and thrive in a safe environment without worry of harm and abuse. This sentence reflects the severity of this heinous offense and should put others on notice that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold accountable those who prey on our children,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton.
The FBI and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II. Cox has also been ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution to the victim and maintain his sex offender status wherever he lives, works, or goes to school upon release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, who prosecuted this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
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Indianapolis Woman Sentenced to over Sixteen Years in Federal Prison for Selling Child Sexual Abuse Material Using Online ChatroomRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS—Anjelica Clark, 35, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 200 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to advertising and possession of child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, between May 21, 2022, and February 4, 2023, Clark used an adults-only chatroom website to advertise and sell child sexual abuse material. Clark uploaded more than 800 advertisements selling other users access to images and videos of child sexual abuse material in exchange payments through Venmo or CashApp. Approximately 400 of these advertisements contained images of the sexual abuse of children. Clark told some buyers that the material she had for sale included images of the sexual abuse of babies as young as seven-months-old.
Law enforcement officers also located a large collection of videos and photos on Clark’s cellphone, including files depicting adult men having sex prepubescent children.
“A civilized society is judged in large part by how we care for our children. This defendant demonstrated her utter disregard for children’s dignity or safety, instead working to profit from spreading depictions of their vile abuse,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Criminals who pollute the internet with these horrific videos and images of abuse will be found and held accountable. Our office will continue to use every tool and partnership we can to identify, investigate, and prosecute these dangerous predators.”
The U.S. Secret Service investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II. Clark must also register as a sex offender wherever she lives, works, and goes to school upon her release from federal prison, and has been ordered to pay $13,000 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Eakman, who prosecuted this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
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Southern Indiana Mining Company Ordered to Pay $110,000 for Unpaid Penalties Relating to Worker Safety ViolationsRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana announced today that the Justice Department has secured a judgment against Eagle Stone, Inc., a Southern Indiana mining company, for Eagle Stone’s failure to pay civil penalties imposed against it for violations of federal mining health and safety standards.
Eagle Stone operated Gosport Stone, a crushed limestone mining operation in Owen County, Indiana. Between 2019 and 2022, the Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration imposed scores of civil penalties against Eagle Stone for violations of worker safety requirements at the Gosport Stone operation. The violations ranged from faulty brakes on vehicles, to failure to insulate electrical wiring, to unsafe storage practices for hazardous chemicals, all of which endangered the health and safety of the employees working at this facility. Eagle Stone stopped operating in or around 2022 and no longer has any employees.
In 2023, the Department of Justice and Department of Labor sued Eagle Stone in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, seeking judgment for the unpaid penalties along with interest. Eagle Stone agreed to a court order requiring it to immediately pay $110,000 to resolve the civil penalties against it. On September 19, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana entered a consent judgment in favor of the United States and against Eagle Stone, requiring the company to pay $110,000 to the government.
“Miners and other professionals in the field deserve a safe workplace as they do important jobs of our communities and our economy,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “When companies disregard safety standards, they must be held accountable. This judgment and recovery on behalf of the public demonstrates that the Department of Justice and Department of Labor are committed to ensuring that companies pay fines for endangering workers and do not evade accountability.”
Department of Labor officials echoed U.S. Attorney Myers’s remarks. “When employers avoid their legal obligations, the U.S. Department of Labor will use its enforcement powers to hold them accountable,” said Solicitor of Labor Seema Nanda. “We are pleased to partner with the Department of Justice in implementing vigorous enforcement strategies to ensure that mine operators are held accountable when they cut corners on mine safety and health.”
“Civil penalties are one of the primary mechanisms MSHA uses to compel operators to improve safety and health conditions at their mines,” said Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson. “I thank Zachary Myers and his office for their efforts to pursue unpaid civil penalties. Those efforts will make miners in Indiana, and across the country, safer and healthier.”
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Taylor Kirklin and Jason Grover, Counsel for Trial Litigation in the Department of Labor’s Office of the Solicitor, who litigated the case.
Members of the public who have concerns about environmental matters, including matters involving environmental justice issues, in the Southern District of Indiana can report them to the U.S. Attorney’s office via email to [email protected].
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Illinois Man Charged with Helping to Scam Elderly Victims Out of Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars in Retirement SavingsRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS—A federal grand jury had charged Abdul Mohammed, 31, of Des Plaines, Illinois, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Mohammed and other conspirators allegedly participated in a scheme in which conspirators contacted victims, typically the elderly, and claimed to be a government agent. The conspirators falsely represented that the victims had been compromised in some way and needed to provide money to federal law enforcement for safekeeping. The conspirators instructed victims convert their savings and retirement accounts to cash or gold bars, and to provide those funds to law enforcement for “protection.”
In one instance, an elderly victim began receiving unsolicited phone calls, texts, and emails from a conspirator purporting to be “Agent Roy” of the FBI. “Agent Roy” told the victim that his computer had been hacked and his personal information was compromised. “Agent Roy” also told the victim he was implicated in a drug crime. “Agent Roy” instructed the victim to withdraw $80,000 from retirement their accounts and exchange it for gold bars or it would be frozen by the IRS. A member of the conspiracy, acting as “Agent Roy,” then met the victim in a Meijer parking lot in Westfield to collect the gold bars.
Even after delivering the gold, the victim was led to believe their money was not safe and they needed to give the “agents” more money. On December 8, 2023, an unknown member of the conspiracy emailed the elderly victim with a document from “Officer Jason Roy” which bore a purported seal from the Department of Justice. The document instructed the victim to withdraw funds and provide them to FBI agents as part of an operation. The document further stated “If . . . at any point of time you deny to follow our instructions or disclose this information to anyone all your accounts will be frozen.” A few weeks later, Abdul Mohammed met the victim in the same parking lot in an attempt to collect another $45,000 in cash.
“There is an outstanding warrant for the arrest of Abdul Mohammed, a resident of Des Plaines, Illinois, following a federal indictment alleging his involvement in a scheme to defraud elderly victims through false claims that federal law enforcement agencies were seeking to keep their money safe,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “We encourage Mr. Mohammed to contact the FBI immediately to arrange for his safe surrender to answer the charges against him. Mr. Mohammed, or anyone with information on his whereabouts, should contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at http://tips.fbi.gov."
The FBI is investigating this case. If convicted, Abdul Mohammed faces up to 60 years in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Eakman, who is prosecuting this case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Justice Department Designates Indianapolis for Focused Federal Efforts to Reduce Domestic Gun Violence Under the Violence Against Women ActRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has approved an initial set of 78 communities across 47 states, territories, and the District of Columbia, including Indianapolis, designated for focused federal efforts to reduce intimate partner gun violence under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022.
The Justice Department - through its United States Attorney’s offices (USAOs) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions - will partner with each designated jurisdiction to execute a plan to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders who violate federal firearms laws, including unlawful possession of firearms by prohibited people and possession of prohibited weapons including Glock switches and other machinegun conversion devices. This work will include continuing outreach to increase coordination and target the most dangerous offenders.
In the Southern District of Indiana, the U.S. Attorney’s Office partners with Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and ATF through the LEATH Initiative (Law Enforcement Action to Halt Domestic Violence), named in honor of IMPD Officer Breann Leath, who was killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance call. The LEATH Initiative focuses federal, state, and local law enforcement resources on domestic violence offenders who illegally possess firearms. More information about the LEATH Imitative is available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/leath.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has also partnered with the City of Indianapolis to assign Special Assistant United States Attorneys to prosecute violent crimes in federal court, including armed domestic abusers.
“As we approach Domestic Violence Awareness month in October, it is imperative that we continue to work hand in hand with our community and law enforcement partners to halt intimate partner violence,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “We know that violent, illegally armed abusers pose a profound danger to those closest to them, police, and the entire community. I am grateful to the Department of Justice for recognizing our efforts. This designation will help further our commitment to saving lives by disarming domestic abusers and removing them from our communities.”
“Our homes should be the place where we feel most safe in the world. Unfortunately, domestic abusers use violence, and all too often firearms, to threaten and harm those closest to them and the first responders coming to render aid,” stated Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “Domestic Violence Awareness month in October provides an opportunity to reiterate our commitment to reducing intimate partner violence. ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute domestic abusers who possess firearms to ensure our communities are safe from these offenders.”
“IMPD remains steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that all relationships are free from violence, as every member of our community deserves to live in safety and without fear,” said Chief Chris Bailey. “We are grateful to the Department of Justice for recognizing our efforts with this important designation and are thankful for our partnerships with other state and federal agencies. Together, we are working to ensure that domestic violence offenders who illegally possess firearms are identified, prosecuted, and brought to justice,” he added.
Chosen communities have been designated in close coordination with community stakeholders. They include rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas, and Tribal communities. The Justice Department used data to identify communities that could benefit from increased focus on intimate partner violence resources and where the local jurisdiction is committed to partnering with the Department to increase the use of federal tools to prosecute offenders under federal firearms laws. The designation represents the partnership and coordination between the department and the local jurisdiction to ensure federal resources are being leveraged effectively to address intimate partner firearm violence.
The Justice Department anticipates additional jurisdictions to be designated as USAOs continue coordination with their local stakeholders. All USAOs, with or without specific community designations under Section 1103, will continue to combat intimate partner firearm violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy and in support of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime.
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Justice Department Secures Agreement with Indiana County Following Allegations the County Illegally Denied Zoning Approval for Islamic Seminary and Residential HousingRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced an agreement with Hendricks County (the County), Indiana, to settle allegations that the County violated the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) by twice unlawfully denying zoning approval to Al Hussnain Inc., an Islamic educational organization, seeking to develop a religious seminary, school and residential housing in Hendricks County.
“Animus directed towards the Muslim community masked under the guise of an ordinary zoning restrictions violates the law and runs contrary to the principles of fairness and tolerance that are core in our democracy,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division. “Federal law prohibits local governments from making zoning decisions about housing or religious land use on the basis of the religion of the developer or those whom they perceive might live at or worship at the development. The Justice Department will use its authority to stop discriminatory anti-Islamic conduct and hold local governments accountable.”
“Discrimination on the basis of religion has no place in the Crossroads of America,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana. “This office will steadfastly defend the right of all persons to enjoy housing free from discrimination. This complaint and consent decree demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to ensuring that people of all faiths are not discriminated against by unlawful local government actions.”
The proposed consent decree, which was filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and must still be approved by the court, resolves a lawsuit the United States also filed today. The complaint alleges that the County, facing significant community animus and opposition, denied Al Hussnain’s rezoning applications to develop a mixed-use community containing a residential neighborhood, community center, K-12 religious school, Islamic seminary and dormitories for seminary students at two different locations in the County, citing concerns that lacked a legitimate basis.
The complaint further alleges that Hendricks County repeatedly departed from its own zoning ordinances as well as the county’s processes and procedures for reviewing zoning applications and treated Al Hussnain’s application worse than similar applications brought by non-Muslim developers. The complaint alleges that the County engaged in a pattern or practice of unlawful discrimination and denied rights to a group of persons because of religion in violation of the FHA and imposed a substantial burden on the Islamic organization’s religious exercise, treated the organization on less than equal terms with nonreligious assemblies or institutions and discriminated against the organization on the basis of religion in violation of RLUIPA.
The consent decree requires Hendricks County to pay monetary damages of $295,000 to Al Hussnain, Inc., a civil penalty of $5,000 to the United States, adopt Fair Housing and Religious Land Use policies, train its officials and employees on the requirements of RLUIPA and the FHA, and establish a procedure for receiving and resolving RLUIPA and FHA complaints.
The FHA prohibits discrimination by direct providers of housing, such as landlords and real estate companies as well as other entities, such as municipalities, banks or other lending institutions and homeowners’ insurance companies whose discriminatory practices make housing unavailable to persons because of race or color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status or disability. More information about the FHA can be found here.
RLUIPA is a federal law that protects religious institutions from unduly burdensome or discriminatory land use regulations. In June 2018, the Justice Department announced its Place to Worship Initiative, which focuses on RLUIPA’s provisions that protect the rights of houses of worship and other religious institutions to worship on their land.
Individuals who believe they have been subjected to discrimination in land use or zoning decisions may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Unit at [email protected] or the Civil Rights Division Housing and Civil Enforcement Section at (800) 896-7743, or through the complaint portal on the Place to Worship Initiative website.
Hendricks County Agrees to Change Policies and Pay $300,000 Following Justice Department Allegations the County Illegally Denied Zoning Approval for Islamic Seminary and Residential HousingRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS – Hendricks County Indiana, has agreed to implement new policies and training, to pay $295,000 in compensation to an Islamic educational organization, and to pay a $5,000 fine to resolve a Justice Department lawsuit alleging that the County violated the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) by twice unlawfully denying zoning approval to Al Hussnain Inc., when it sought to develop a religious seminary, school, and residential housing in Hendricks County.
“Animus directed towards the Muslim community masked under the guise of an ordinary zoning restrictions violates the law and runs contrary to the principles of fairness and tolerance that are core in our democracy,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division. “Federal law prohibits local governments from making zoning decisions about housing or religious land use on the basis of the religion of the developer or those whom they perceive might live at or worship at the development. The Department of Justice will use its authority to stop discriminatory anti-Islamic conduct and hold local governments accountable.”
“Discrimination on the basis of religion has no place in the Crossroads of America,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana. “This office will steadfastly defend the right of all persons to enjoy housing free from discrimination. This complaint and consent decree demonstrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to ensuring that people of all faiths are not discriminated against by unlawful local government actions.”
The proposed consent decree, which was filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and must still be approved by the court, resolves a lawsuit the United States also filed today. The complaint alleges that the County, facing significant community animus and opposition, denied Al Hussnain’s rezoning applications to develop a mixed-use community containing a residential neighborhood, community center, K-12 religious school, Islamic seminary and dormitories for seminary students at two different locations in the County, citing concerns that lacked a legitimate basis.
The complaint further alleges that Hendricks County repeatedly departed from its own zoning ordinances as well as the county’s processes and procedures for reviewing zoning applications and treated Al Hussnain’s application worse than similar applications brought by non-Muslim developers. The complaint alleges that the County engaged in a pattern or practice of unlawful discrimination and denied rights to a group of persons because of religion in violation of the FHA and imposed a substantial burden on the Islamic organization’s religious exercise, treated the organization on less than equal terms with nonreligious assemblies or institutions and discriminated against the organization on the basis of religion in violation of RLUIPA.
The consent decree requires Hendricks County to pay monetary damages of $295,000 to Al Hussnain, Inc., a civil penalty of $5,000 to the United States, adopt Fair Housing and Religious Land Use policies, train its officials and employees on the requirements of RLUIPA and the FHA, and establish a procedure for receiving and resolving RLUIPA and FHA complaints.
The FHA prohibits discrimination by direct providers of housing, such as landlords and real estate companies as well as other entities, such as municipalities, banks or other lending institutions and homeowners’ insurance companies whose discriminatory practices make housing unavailable to persons because of race or color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status or disability. More information about the FHA can be found here.
RLUIPA is a federal law that protects religious institutions from unduly burdensome or discriminatory land use regulations. In June 2018, the Justice Department announced its Place to Worship Initiative, which focuses on RLUIPA’s provisions that protect the rights of houses of worship and other religious institutions to worship on their land.
Individuals who believe they have been subjected to discrimination in land use or zoning decisions may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Unit at [email protected] or the Civil Rights Division Housing and Civil Enforcement Section at (800) 896-7743, or through the online form on Southern District of Indiana Civil Rights webpage.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey Preston and Joi Kamper, along with attorneys from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, who are handling this case.
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Lafayette Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to a Decade in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS—Kyle Lee Stacy, 44, of Lafayette, Indiana, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
According to court documents, on August 17, 2023, Kokomo Police Department officers pulled over Kyle Lee Stacy for committing multiple traffic violations. During the traffic stop, a specially trained narcotics detecting canine alerted to the presence of a controlled substance coming from the driver’s side of the vehicle.
A search of the interior of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 459.8 grams of pure methamphetamine, hidden inside a black Adidas lunch bag. A subsequent search of Stacy’s cell phone revealed a text message he sent to an individual shortly before the traffic stop, which read: “All right cuz, I’m almost there ....and I got a pound of dope on me.”
Stacy has amassed a lengthy criminal history dating back to 1998. His prior felony convictions include, burglary, theft, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and five separate charges for possession of methamphetamine.
“The federal prison sentence imposed against this drug dealer demonstrates that there will be serious consequences for those who traffic in deadly drugs with utter disregard for human life,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Our federal prosecutors are committed to working closely with our partners including the DEA and Kokomo Police Department to get dealers off the streets of every community.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Kokomo Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Senior Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry D. Glickman, who prosecuted this case.
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Previously Convicted Felon Sentenced to over Three Years in Federal Prison for Possessing “Glock Switch”Read the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS—Jaquan Robinson, 21 of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession of a machine gun.
According to court documents, on December 28, 2023, Marion County Probation officers conducted a compliance visit at Robinson’s apartment in Indianapolis. During the compliance visit, a backpack containing the frame of a Glock handgun and mail addressed to the defendant was found in a closet in the living room. During a court-authorized search of the apartment, officers located a safe in Robinson’s bedroom containing his identification documents and a Glock switch. Robinson admitted to knowingly possessing the machinegun conversion device and knowing that it was exclusively designed to convert an ordinary semiautomatic firearm into a fully-automatic machinegun. A review of Robinson’s Facebook messages revealed that Robinson was seeking to purchase additional handgun parts in order to have a fully-functional machinegun.
Machinegun conversion devices, sometimes called “Glock switches” or “auto-sears,” are devices that convert ordinary semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic machineguns. Machinegun conversion devices are themselves considered machineguns under federal law, even when not installed, and are illegal for individuals to possess or sell.
Robinson has a history of firearms convictions. In September 2021, Robinson was convicted of a felony in Marion County for illegally bringing a firearm into a school. In June 2022, while Robinson was still on probation for his first firearms offense, he was convicted of another firearms offense in Marion County after he was found in possession of two more firearms and fled from police on foot after the vehicle he was in was pulled over. Robinson was still on probation for this second Marion County offense when he was arrested with the machinegun conversion device. At the time of his most recent Indiana arrest there were also firearms charges against Robinson pending in Michigan. As a convicted felon, Robinson is prohibited under federal law from ever lawfully possessing a firearm again.
“Illegally armed criminals are a grave danger to our families and neighbors—especially when they have machineguns capable of spreading carnage in mere seconds,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Having or using a ‘Glock switch’ is a serious crime. The federal prison sentence imposed here should send the message that these weapons will not be accepted in our community. Our federal prosecutors, in partnership with the ATF and the City of Indianapolis, are committed to bringing these important federal prosecutions and making Marion County a safer place.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nate Walter, who prosecuted this case. SAUSA Walter is prosecuting violent crime cases as a part of the partnership with the City of Indianapolis to identify, investigate, and federally prosecute violent crimes taking place in Marion County.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Indianapolis Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 44 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting Eleven-Year-Old over SnapchatRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS—Sonny Dale Applegate, 27, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to forty-four years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of committing a felony offense while required to register as a sex offender.
According to court documents, on December 17, 2020, Applegate was convicted of possession of child pornography in Marion County and sentenced to 4 years’ imprisonment, with nearly the entire sentence suspended to probation. At the time Applegate committed the following offenses, he was on probation because of that conviction.
Despite being on probation and subject to stringent restrictions, Applegate reoffended. Between August 1 and September 12, 2022, Applegate used Snapchat to communicate with a child he knew was underage. At the time, the victim was an eleven-year-old child residing in Missouri. Through Snapchat, Applegate engaged in graphically explicit sexual chat with the child and routinely demanded that they create and send him images and videos of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct that he directed.
On September 12, 2022, during a routine probation visit, Applegate’s probation officer discovered that he was in possession of a Samsung Galaxy cell phone hidden under a pillow. A forensic investigation recovered the child sex abuse material of the child, and more than 600 images or videos of child sex abuse material involving other children that he had collected from the Internet.
Applegate must also pay $10,000 in restitution and is required to register as a sex offender wherever he lives, works, or goes to school, pursuant to state law.
“Every family should know that social media apps like Snapchat are not safe spaces for young children and are often hunting grounds for predators who seek gratification from their exploitation,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana “The federal prison sentence imposed here ensures that the public will be protected from this offender for many decades to come. Other online predators should take notice that the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, including the FBI, and our federal prosecutors, will work tirelessly to hold them accountable and make our children safer from abuse.”
"This sentence reflects the profound harm the defendant caused the victim and should serve as a warning that those who exploit children will be held accountable,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue our unwavering commitment to ensure we protect vulnerable children from such heinous crimes.”
The FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office investigated this case, with valuable assistance provided by Indianan Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Marion County Probation, and the FBI’s Kansas City, Missouri, Field Office. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, who prosecuted this case.
This investigation was conducted by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a multiagency task force led by the Indiana State Police that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to sexually exploit or entice children. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators evaluate thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse. Visit https://www.in.gov/isp/icactf/ to learn more about their efforts.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
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Former Hospital Employee Sentenced to 12 Months in Federal Prison for Embezzling over $100,000 in Intended Donations for the Jasper CommunityRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE—Michele M. Rose, 62, of Jasper, Indiana, has been sentenced to a year and one day in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, after pleading guilty to five counts of wire fraud. Rose was also ordered to pay $153,769 in restitution.
According to court documents, since 1991, Michele Rose was employed as Medical Staff Coordinator at a nonprofit health care organization headquartered in Jasper, Indiana. In this role, Rose had various responsibilities, including overseeing the medical staff checking account and preparing a monthly financial report of that checking account.
The medical staff checking account was funded through dues paid by physicians. The money contributed by the doctors was then donated to fund community initiatives including scholarships, food banks, and humane societies, as well as sponsoring events for local students such as after-prom celebrations, with a small portion used for operating expenses.
Between March 2011 and December 2020, Rose abused her position by writing fraudulent checks to herself out of the medical staff checking account, falsely representing that the money was intended to reimburse her for legitimate business expenditures. Rose then cashed the checks and used the money for personal living expenses.
Rose got signatures on the fraudulent checks lying to people with signature authority, telling them they were for legitimate business expenses. Once the blank checks were signed, Rose completed the checks by writing them to herself. Rose did not account for the fraudulent checks in the monthly financial reports that she prepared for her management. Over nearly a decade, Rose $153,769 from the medical staff fund. If Rose had not stolen the money, some or all of it would have been donated to the local community as intended.
“For nearly a decade, this woman stole from community-minded professionals who trusted her, lining her pockets at the expense of the Jasper community groups the doctors intended to support,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Embezzlement and fraud by trusted insiders can have devastating effects on businesses and ordinary people. That’s why our office will continue to prioritize federal prosecution of economic crimes. I commend the work of the U.S. Secret Service and the Jasper Police Department, alongside our federal prosecutor, to untangle this web of deceit and hold the defendant accountable for her crimes.”
“The U.S. Secret Service values our partnership with the Jasper Police Department and the United States Attorney’s Office - Southern District of Indiana,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott McGuckin, of the U.S. Secret Service’s Indianapolis Field Office. “The Secret Service will continue to prioritize these types of investigations to ensure that there are consequences for anyone who violates the public’s trust and takes advantage of charitable organizations.”
“I am proud of our Detectives’ work on this case, and our close collaboration with the United States Secret Service has been instrumental in successfully investigating cases of this caliber,” said Lieutenant Dave Burger of the Jasper Police Department.
The United States Secret Service and Jasper Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Miller, who prosecuted this case.
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Clarksville Felon Sentenced to 1.5 Years in Federal Prison for Stealing over $125,000 in Federal Benefits After Prior Conviction for a Similar SchemeRead the Press Release
NEW ALBANY—Willie D. Watts, 42, of Clarksville, has been sentenced to eighteen months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to theft of federal benefits from the Section 8 Housing Voucher, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, and Social Security programs.
According to court documents, from 2014 to 2021, Ms. Watts received benefits from four different federal programs intended to benefit eligible persons in need: Section 8 housing vouchers, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (“SNAP”), Social Security Survivors benefits, and Medicaid.
To qualify for these programs, Watts lied and represented that one or more of her children was living with her and needed services, when all three of the children were actually living with other family members. She recertified this false information as required, generally on an annual basis. This resulted in Watts receiving benefits from the federal programs that she was not entitled to receive.
For example, from February 2015 through September 2019, Watts fraudulently received Social Security Survivors Benefits intended for two of her children following the deaths of their fathers, by falsely certifying that they lived with her. Watts used the funds for her own purposes and did not provide them to her children.
Watts also made false statements about her income and assets. She did not disclose that she owned a house in Jeffersonville, Indiana, or that she was receiving rental income from tenants who lived there. Watts knew that if she gave complete and accurate information to the government programs, her benefits would be reduced or eliminated. Her lies allowed her to receive $125,753.90 in federal benefits to which she was not entitled.
Watts engaged in this scheme in Indiana after engaging in a nearly identical scheme in Kentucky. In 2016, Watts was charged with felonies in Jefferson County, Kentucky for stealing over $30,000 from government assistance programs, including SNAP and Medicaid. From 2011 through 2013 Watts lied and represented that one or more of her children was living with her and needed services, when they did not in in fact live with her. She was convicted in 2018 and sentenced to three years in prison, which was suspended to probation. Watts continued her Indiana scheme throughout her prosecution and sentencing in Kentucky.
“Hard-working families and financially vulnerable children often are supported by federal programs at times of financial crisis,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Undeterred by prior felony convictions for the same conduct, this defendant chose to steal over $125,000 in public money from eligible recipients in need. The federal prison sentence here demonstrates that the Department of Justice will work closely with our partners in federal, state, and local law enforcement to identify criminals who defraud public programs and hold them accountable.”
“Watts’ selfish actions diverted critical taxpayer dollars from HUD-assisted housing programs intended for low-income families to have decent and safe housing,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Machelle Jindra with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General. “HUD OIG will continue to work with its prosecutorial and law enforcement partners to vigorously pursue those who seek to profit by abusing HUD-funded programs.”
“Willie Watts made false claims to the Social Security Administration to unlawfully receive Social Security Survivors Benefits. Her deliberate theft of Social Security Benefits was criminal and has led to this sentence that now holds her accountable for defrauding several federal benefit programs, including Social Security,” stated Acting Special Agent in Charge, Chancellor Melvin, Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Chicago Field Division. “SSA OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of fraud and seek prosecution as appropriate. I thank the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General. (HUD OIG) and the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration for working with us in this investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Miller for prosecuting this case.”
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General, and the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Miller, who prosecuted this case.
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Plainfield Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison for Three Armed Robberies of Indy Area BusinessesRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Larry Gibson, 65, of Plainfield, has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to three counts of interference with commerce by robbery.
According to court documents, between August 25 and September 5, 2019, Larry Gibson robbed three different Indianapolis area businesses. On August 24, he robbed an OfficeMax on East Washington Street and stole $320. On August 28, he robbed a CVS on Southeastern Avenue and stole $115. On September 5, he robbed a Wendy’s on Post Road and stole $276. In each robbery, Gibson brandished what the employees believed to be a firearm and demanded cash.
Gibson was arrested on September 6, 2019, and admitted to committing each robbery. During a search of Gibson’s residence, officers located a toy gun that resembled a real firearm.
“Every person deserves to feel safe where they live and work. This defendant terrorized and threatened innocent employees and businesses for weeks,’ said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “These frightening, senseless crimes have no place in our communities, and we are safer with this man behind federal prison bars. I am grateful to the FBI for ensuring that this criminal has been held accountable for his actions.”
The FBI and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jayson W. McGrath, who prosecuted this case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Violent Career Criminal Sentenced to a Decade in Federal Prison for Possession of Sawed-Off ShotgunRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE- Glenn Taylor Tenbarge, 35, of Evansville, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, on December 30, 2023, an Evansville Police Department officer stopped Tenbarge for committing traffic violations while driving a truck. When the officer approached the driver’s side, Tenbarge began acting nervously and leaning forward in his seat, attempting to block the officer’s view of the right side of his body. The officer asked Tenbarge if he had a weapon, to which Tenbarge responded, “it’s not mine but yes.”
When the officer asked Tenbarge to step out of the truck, a short barrel shotgun with a wooden grip could be seen in the seat of the vehicle. The barrel appeared to be modified and possibly cut.
Tenbarge has sustained multiple prior felony convictions in Vanderburgh County, including two counts of attempted robbery, dealing in methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon. Under federal law, these felony convictions prohibit him from ever legally possessing a firearm. Under federal law, it is also unlawful to possess a short-barreled “sawed off” shotgun like the one possessed by Tenbarge.
“Illegally armed, repeat felons drive the gun violence plaguing our state,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “I commend the response by EPD and the work of ATF to protect the public from this dangerous criminal. The sentence imposed by the court demonstrates that those who illegally possess firearms risk serious federal time. Returning to prison isn’t worth it—put down the guns, or we will hold you accountable.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Evansville Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case.
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Newburgh Duo Sentenced to Combined 25 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Pounds of Methamphetamine into EvansvilleRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE- Michael Jimenez, 37, of Newburgh, Indiana and Jordan Jimenez, 30, of Evansville, Indiana, have been sentenced to federal prison for ten and fifteen years, respectively, followed by five years of supervise release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Jordan Jimenez also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, between May and July of 2022, the uncle and nephew duo worked together to buy and sell large quantities of methamphetamine in Southern Indiana. Jordan Jimenez obtained pounds of methamphetamine from his source of supply and then fronted a portion of that methamphetamine to his uncle, Michael, who would repay Jordan upon reselling the methamphetamine to his own customers. The pair often acted as a joint business, sharing a customer base and coordinating drug quantities and prices.
On July 15, 2022, officers with the Evansville Police Department stopped Jordan for speeding and a K9 officer indicated the presence of illegal drugs in the car. During a search of the car, officers located a grocery bag filled with approximately five and a half pounds of methamphetamine.
Law enforcement officer subsequently conducted a court-authorized search of Jordan’s home. During the search, officers found a Taurus 9 mm semiautomatic pistol, an Andro .223 rifle, ammunition for the firearms, and a digital scale.
Over the course of the conspiracy, the Jimenez duo was responsible for the distribution of at least twenty pounds, or more than nine kilograms, of methamphetamine.
“The methamphetamine ravaging our families and neighborhoods doesn’t come from thin air,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Drug traffickers like the two men convicted in this case bring this poison from thousands of miles away and pump it onto our communities. We will continue to work with our partners at the DEA, the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force, and the Evansville Police Department to dismantle these meth trafficking conspiracies and hold these criminals accountable for the harm they cause.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force, and Evansville Police Department investigated this case. This prosecution is also part of the Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Richard L. Young.
U.S Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Matthew B. Miller, who prosecuted this case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Brownsburg Drug Dealer Sentenced to Twelve Years in Federal Prison for Continuing to Sell Methamphetamine While on ProbationRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS-- Scott Planalp, 37, of Brownsburg, has been sentenced to twelve years in in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court documents, in June of 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began investigating Planalp’s methamphetamine trafficking activities.
On three separate occasions in June of 2022, DEA agents observed Planalp deal quantities of methamphetamine to different people in exchange for cash. For example, on June 15, 2022, Planalp sold 72.9 grams of pure methamphetamine to a person for $1,050. Planalp was recorded telling the buyer that he was currently in a drug court program as a result of a prior drug trafficking arrest and that he had to take three drug tests a week.
In total, Planalp distributed 185.1 grams of pure methamphetamine during the DEA’s investigation.
“Meth traffickers must be held accountable for the harm that their poison does to people and families impacted by substance use disorders,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “This defendant was undeterred by prior arrests and shamelessly continued the criminal conduct that landed him in state court in the first place. The federal prison sentence imposed here reflects the seriousness of these repeated crimes and the need to protect the community from a drug dealer who acted with utter disregard for the law, the courts, and the harms he caused. I commend the work of the DEA for their efforts to get this meth trafficker out of our community.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry D. Glickman, who prosecuted this case.
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United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana to Take Part in Community Events During National Night Out 2024Read the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana will join community organizers, neighbors, and law enforcement partners to participate in National Night Out events on August 6, 2024. During this year’s National Night Out, U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers will attend block party events in the surrounding Indianapolis areas and IMPD’s Crime Fighter of the Year ceremony, honoring outstanding civilian leaders in their communities committed to public safety.
“A positive, ongoing relationship between neighbors and law enforcement is vital to building trust and keeping the public safe,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “It is important for people to see that we are a part of the communities we serve, and I am looking forward to visiting with several different neighborhoods for the second year in a row. Through events like National Night Out, community members can place a friendly face to the law enforcement agencies that serve to protect them and engage in meaningful discussions about crime, safety, and responsibility.”
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country.
National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.
Coordinated by local law enforcement agencies and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe.
For more information, visit https://natw.org/.
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New Albany Man Sentenced to Twenty Months in Federal Prison for Stealing over $1.2 Million from his EmployerRead the Press Release
NEW ALBANY- Caleb Keller, 38, of New Albany, Indiana has been sentenced to 20 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to wire fraud and money laundering.
According to court documents, Keller began working for his employer in 2011, soon after graduating college. Between April 2017 and June 2021, Keller created and submitted 101 false and fraudulent invoices to his former employer through his side business, Polyglot Developers. After arranging for his employer to contract with Polyglot, he created two fictitious employees, “Matt Pearson” and “Grant Miller.” He then drafted false invoices that billed his employer for services allegedly performed by the two fake employees.
For example, on April 29, 2019, Keller submitted a $19,940 invoice to his employer for services allegedly rendered by four employees, including $15,200 for services allegedly rendered by the two fictitious employees. When an executive at his employer became suspicious of the fake employees and demanded a meeting with “Matt Pearson,” Keller pretended to be Pearson on a Zoom call by using a video filter. During the meeting, it became obvious that Pearson was not real and that the person purporting to be Pearson was actually Keller. Following the meeting, Keller was fired and his employer’s relationship with Polyglot was terminated.
In April 2022, Keller was interviewed by law enforcement investigators and insisted that Pearson and Miller were actual employees who provided services to his employer. In July 2022, Keller was interviewed again and admitted that the purported employees were fake and that he had impersonated Pearson on the Zoom call.
Due to this years’ long scheme, Keller’s employer was deceived into paying Keller approximately $1,210,120 for work they believed was completed by fictitious employees of Keller’s business. Keller used the fraudulently obtained money to pay for personal expenses.
“Trusted employees can cause tremendous harm to a business when they exploit their positions to steal and cover it up,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Protecting Hoosiers and Hoosier businesses from fraud is a top priority for federal law enforcement. Thanks to the efforts of the FBI, IRS-CI, and our federal prosecutor, this criminal has been accountable for his actions. The federal prison sentence imposed here should be a warning to would-be fraudsters that economic crimes can lead to paying a very serious price.”
“The defendant betrayed the trust of his company through his deceit and web of lies for his personal gain and this sentence sends a clear message that there are consequences for such greed,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI is committed to continuing to root out these white-collar criminals and ensure they are held accountable.”
“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message: those who engage in wire fraud and money laundering schemes will be held accountable,” said Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “Our dedicated special agents worked tirelessly to uncover this long-running scheme, and this outcome underscores our commitment to bringing justice to individuals like Caleb Keller, who exploit and defraud their employers. IRS Criminal Investigation and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue and prosecute those who violate the trust placed in them, ensuring that financial crimes do not go unpunished.”
The FBI and IRS-CI investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by Chief U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Keller pay $1,210,120 in restitution to the victim business.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Miller, who prosecuted this case.
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Indianapolis Drug Dealer on Community Corrections Sentenced to over 15 Years in Federal Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking and Possessing an Arsenal of GunsRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Clifton Withers, 49, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, on January 7, 2020, Withers was sentenced and placed on home detention and monitoring by Marion County Community Corrections following a conviction for Dealing in a Narcotic Drug. While serving his community corrections sentence, Withers rented two storage units in Indianapolis.
On May 19, 2020, law enforcement officers conducted a court-authorized search of the storage units and located a clear plastic bag containing three large discs of fentanyl, approximately 250 grams, multiple digital scales, a plastic bottle of lactose—a known drug cutting agent, a large metal press, three handgun holsters, and a black bag containing several boxes of ammunition. Officers also found nine firearms. Withers is prohibited under federal law from ever legally possessing a firearm due to his status as a convicted felon.
Additionally, officers searched Withers’ vehicle and found three plastic bags an additional 55 grams of fentanyl that he intended to distribute, a metal press with heroin residue, two more digital scales, and a second metal press inside of a backpack. Officers also recovered a 9mm handgun Withers possessed in his home, as well as an illegal firearm silencer and three books on building military-grade firearms suppressors.
All told, Withers possessed nine guns, a firearm silencer, approximately over 300 grams of fentanyl that he intended to distribute. Withers has an extensive criminal record, including four felony drug trafficking convictions dating back to 1997, and one felony conviction for promoting animal fighting.
“This defendant is a lifelong drug dealer who has failed to rehabilitate despite given numerous chances to do so. After receiving a Community Corrections sentence armed drug trafficking, he immediately returned to trafficking large quantities of fentanyl and illegally possessing a silencer and an arsenal of firearms,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Fentanyl poisoning takes lives and devastates families in all zip codes and walks of life. Traffickers pose even more danger to our communities when they are heavily armed. Thanks to the outstanding work of our partners at the ATF and our federal prosecutors, the defendant’s career of armed drug trafficking has been halted for many years to come.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Matthew P. Brookman.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Gibson and Corbin D. Houston, who prosecuted this case.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, depending on a person’s body size, tolerance, and past usage—a tiny amount that can fit on the tip of a pencil. Seven out of ten illegal fentanyl tablets seized from U.S. streets and analyzed by the DEA have been found to contain a potentially lethal dose of the drug.
One Pill Can Kill: Avoid pills bought on the street because One Pill Can Kill. Fentanyl has now become the leading cause of death for adults in the United States. Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that drug dealers dilute with cutting agents to make counterfeit prescription pills that appear to be Oxycodone, Percocet, Xanax, and other drugs. Fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl are usually shaped and colored to look like pills sold at pharmacies. For example, fake prescription pills known as “M30s” imitate Oxycodone obtained from a pharmacy, but when sold on the street the pills routinely contain fentanyl. These pills are usually round tablets and often light blue in color, though they may be in different shapes and a rainbow of colors. They often have “M” and “30” imprinted on opposite sides of the pill. Do not take these or any other pills bought on the street – they are routinely fake and poisonous, and you won’t know until it’s too late.
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Armed Warrick County Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to Fifteen Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE- Brian Marchand, 39, of Tennyson, Indiana, has been sentenced to fifteen years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to two counts of distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court documents, law enforcement officers in Evansville observed Marchand selling methamphetamine on three separate occasions between July 6 and 25, 2023. On July 6, Marchand arrived at a residence and handed the buyer three small baggies, each containing one ounce of crystal methamphetamine, in exchange for $900 cash. On July 10, 2023, Marchand sold approximately four ounces of crystal methamphetamine for $1,275 in cash, from his home in Tennyson. As Marchand was counting the money, he displayed a loaded semi-automatic handgun. On July 25, 2023, Marchand “fronted” another four ounces of crystal methamphetamine to another individual, which was to be paid for with the proceeds of further sales of the drug.
Laboratory analysis found that the drugs distributed by Marchand during three deals observed by law enforcement officers they contained approximately 293 grams of pure methamphetamine.
“Methamphetamine and other controlled substances are have devastating impacts on users, their loved ones, and our communities,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “These poisons harm our neighbors in every community, and we are committed to holding serious traffickers accountable in federal court, wherever they are found. Our office will continue to work with our partners at the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Trask Force, the Warrick County Sheriff’s Office, and the DEA to make our communities safer by getting meth and meth dealers off our streets.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Trask Force, and the Warrick County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Matthew P. Brookman.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Miller, who prosecuted this case.
This prosecution is part of the Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program.
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Former U.S. Postal Service Maintenance Manager Sentenced in Federal Court for Stealing Cash from the Mail at Indianapolis Distribution CenterRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Barry Gallon, 54, of McCordsville, has been sentenced to one year of probation after pleading guilty to theft of mail matter by officer or employee, a felony criminal offense.
According to court documents, Gallon was employed as a Maintenance Manager at the United States Postal Service’s Indianapolis Processing and Distribution Center for seven years. Between August 31, 2023, and September 20, 2023, Gallon stole cash from letters, packages, bags, and mail within the mainstream at the distribution center. The total amount of money stolen by the defendant was found to be no more than $6,500.
“Since the founding of our country, the U.S. Postal Service has been a vital resource for all Americans—a resource that requires that Americans are able to trust that their mail will reach its intended destination,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “When public servants criminally exploit their positions for their own gain, they must be held accountable. The felony criminal conviction here will ensure that the defendant will never again be in a similar position of trust.”
The United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Matthew P. Brookman.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Corbin D. Houston, who prosecuted this case.
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Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to More than Eleven Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material While on ProbationRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Tyler Edward Davis, 35, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 140 months in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, in August 2022, Davis was convicted in Marion County of two counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. Just four weeks into his probation period, and a little over a week after he registered as a sex offender, probation officers conducted a field visit and discovered Davis in possession of an unapproved smartphone. A review of the search history revealed searches such as “8-year-old bikini models” and “underground content.” Davis removed his GPS ankle bracelet and fled shortly after probation officer discovered the phone and search history.
A detailed forensic examination of Davis’s cell phone revealed additional graphic internet search history, including searches for sexually explicit content depicting incest and violence. Investigators also found over 2,000 images and videos containing sexually explicit conduct involving minors, including adult men raping toddlers. At least one file contained a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving an infant; bestiality; and sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence.
“Not even one month after being sentenced to probation for possession of child sexual abuse material, the defendant began collecting more heinous material, including images depicting the graphic sexual abuse of toddlers,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “There is no higher law enforcement priority than protecting our children from those who would do them harm. We will continue to work closely with our partners at the FBI to hold child sex offenders accountable and removing them from our communities.”
The FBI investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Wood, who prosecuted this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
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Indiana Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Sending Violent Antisemitic Threats to Anti-Defamation League Offices Across the CountryRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Andrezj Boryga (An-dre-g Bor-egg-ah), 67, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to willfully transmitting in interstate commerce threats to injure other people and for choosing his victims because of their religion.
According to court documents, between July 9 and Dec. 14, 2022, Boryga left voicemails at Anti-Defamation League offices located in New York, Texas, Colorado, and Nevada. Boryga used antisemitic slurs on eight voicemails as he threatened to assault or kill Jewish people.
“Hate-fueled threats of violence seek to fracture our society and isolate communities from one another,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This defendant made heinous, repeated violent threats targeting Jewish people and organizations. His actions were not just heinous, they were unlawful. This case represents the latest effort by the Justice Department to combat the disturbing increase in threats against Jews and Jewish institutions across the United States that we have seen in the wake of October 7th. We will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute threats and acts of violence motivated by antisemitism and by hatred of any kind.”
“The defendant’s vile and graphic threats demonstrated his hate-filled mindset, and the death threats levied caused genuine fear for the people who received them,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This type of antisemitic, hate-fueled conduct offends our most basic values and has no place in our society. This sentence should send a clear message to perpetrators and would-be perpetrators of hate crimes that we will not hesitate to prosecute those who threaten violence against the Jewish community.”
“Everyone in our country should be able to sit in safety regardless of how they worship, free from bigoted threats meant to make them afraid,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana. “This criminal’s horrific threats sought to put fear into Jewish communities. Violent antisemitism and bigotry must be given no sanction in this country. Our office will continue to work closely with our partners at the Civil Rights Division and the FBI to hold criminals accountable for hate-based threats and violence.”
The FBI Indianapolis Field Office investigated the case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter A. Blackett for the Southern District of Indiana and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
If you have concerns regarding Civil Rights violations in the Southern District of Indiana, you can now report them to our office via email [email protected] or using our online form.
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Indiana Man Pleads Guilty and Is Sentenced for Sending Violent Antisemitic Threats to Anti-Defamation LeagueRead the Press Release
Andrezj Boryga, 67, pleaded guilty and was sentenced today to 24 months in prison and two years of supervised release for willfully transmitting in interstate commerce threats to injure other people and for choosing his victims because of their religion.
According to the records filed in the case, between July 9 and Dec. 14, 2022, Boryga left voicemails at Anti-Defamation League offices located in New York, Texas, Colorado, and Nevada. Boryga used antisemitic slurs on eight voicemails as he threatened to assault or kill Jewish people.
In the last few months, the Justice Department has brought charges, obtained plea agreements, and obtained sentences for more than 30 defendants for criminal acts motivated by antisemitic hate.
“Hate-fueled threats of violence seek to fracture our society and isolate communities from one another,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This defendant made heinous, repeated violent threats targeting Jewish people and organizations. His actions were not just heinous, they were unlawful. This case represents the latest effort by the Justice Department to combat the disturbing increase in threats against Jews and Jewish institutions across the United States that we have seen in the wake of October 7th. We will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute threats and acts of violence motivated by antisemitism and by hatred of any kind.”
“The defendant’s vile and graphic threats demonstrated his hate-filled mindset, and the death threats levied caused genuine fear for the people who received them,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This type of antisemitic, hate-fueled conduct offends our most basic values and has no place in our society. This sentence should send a clear message to perpetrators and would-be perpetrators of hate crimes that we will not hesitate to prosecute those who threaten violence against the Jewish community.”
“Everyone in our country should be able to sit in safety regardless of how they worship, free from bigoted threats meant to make them afraid,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana. “This criminal’s horrific threats sought to put fear into Jewish communities. Violent antisemitism and bigotry must be given no sanction in this country. Our office will continue to work closely with our partners at the Civil Rights Division and the FBI to hold criminals accountable for hate-based threats and violence.”
The FBI Indianapolis Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter A. Blackett for the Southern District of Indiana and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
Alabama Man Sentenced to Nearly Five Years in Federal Prison for Setting Fire to his Father’s Connersville Home, Killing Family’s Dog and CatRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Tommy Lee Harrison Sr., 34, of Birmingham, Alabama, has been sentenced to 57 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to crossing state lines to commit arson.
According to court documents, on October 28, 2021, Harrison left Birmingham, Alabama, with the intent to travel to Connersville, Indiana to set fire to the home where Harrison’s father lived with his wife, children, and the family’s pets. During the nearly eight-hour drive, Harrison stopped at a Walmart in Elizabethtown, Kentucky and purchased a can of black spray paint.
At 1:40 am on October 29, 2021, Harrison arrived at his father’s Connersville home. Video surveillance from the area showed Harrison parking next door to the victim’s house, exiting the vehicle, placing a container on the ground, and driving away. Harrison returned approximately twenty minutes later, and repeatedly drove around the residence for approximately twenty minutes until he backed his car into the yard.
Over the next hour, Harrison used gasoline to light the inside and outside of his family’s home on fire, destroying their master bedroom, rendering the bedrooms of the family’s children unlivable, and killing two of the family’s beloved pets, a cat and a dog. Harrison also used the spray paint he purchased to deface the property with a racial slur. Harrison departed the scene of the crime and returned to Alabama, where he was later arrested.
“This defendant’s actions had a devastating impact not only on the immediate victims, but on the community of Connersville as well. His actions uprooted a family, destroyed their peace of mind, and shook the small town in which his father was a prominent community leader,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Crossing state lines to commit a violent crime is a serious offense that merits a serious federal prison sentence. Thanks to the talents and persistence of investigators at the FBI, the Indiana Fire Marshal’s Office, and our federal prosecutor, this arsonist was successfully identified and held accountable.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office investigated. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley P. Shepard, who prosecuted this case.
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Brownsburg Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for Selling Stolen Firearms to Pawn ShopRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Jason Compliment, 42, of Brownsburg, Indiana, has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. In February of 2024, a federal jury found Compliment guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon following a two-day trial.
According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, on July 16, 2022, the defendant sold three firearms to a north Indianapolis pawnshop for $725. Video surveillance footage captured him selling the firearms and receiving the pawn ticket in his own name.
Mr. Compliment has numerous prior felony convictions in Hendricks and Marion Counties—including eight burglaries, resisting law enforcement, and possession of methamphetamine, making him an Armed Career Criminal under federal law. In one prior case, the defendant burglarized a church and stole funds meant for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Each one of these previous felony convictions prohibits the defendant from ever legally possessing a firearm again.
“The defendant’s long list of prior criminal sentences, ranging from probation to incarceration, have failed to deter him from continuing to illegally possess guns,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “He showed so little respect for the law he was even willing to sell the guns under his own name. Much of the gun violence inflicted on our communities is caused by individuals who are prohibited by law from having a firearm in the first place. Thanks to the work of the ATF, IMPD, and our federal prosecutors the public will be protected from this career criminal for years to come.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S District Judge James P. Hanlon.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Jeremy C. Fugate and Bradley A. Blackington, who prosecuted this case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Former Indiana State Representative Sentenced to Federal Prison for Accepting Bribes from Casino CompanyRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Sean Eberhart, 58, of Shelbyville, has been sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud.
According to court documents, from 2006 to 2022, Sean Eberhart served as the elected representative of Indiana House District 57, which includes Shelby County and portions of Bartholomew and Hancock counties. During his tenure, Eberhart served as a member of the House Committee on Public Policy, which has jurisdiction over matters concerning casinos and gaming in Indiana.
From January to May of 2019, Eberhart conspired with Individual A to devise a scheme to use Eberhart’s official elected position to benefit that person’s company, Spectacle Entertainment. Spectacle Entertainment was formed by Individual A after Centaur, a company that owned and operated off-track betting facilities in Indiana, including the Shelbyville Casino in Eberhart’s District, was acquired by Caesars Entertainment in July of 2018. After that acquisition, Individual A formed Spectacle Entertainment and many of the same executives of Centaur continued in substantially similar roles as executives of Spectacle.
As part of the illegal scheme, Eberhart agreed to use his position in the Indiana House of Representatives to advocate and vote for a Gaming Bill that positively impacted Spectacle. Terms in the bill would authorize the transfer of the licenses for two casinos on Lake Michigan to Spectacle’s ownership in Gary and Terre Haute, Indiana, while reducing the usual $100 million transfer fee that Spectacle was originally set to pay, to only $20,000.
On March 27, 2019, during an Indiana House Public Policy Committee hearing, Eberhart vocally advocated to remove the $1 million transfer fee from the Gaming Bill entirely. At a hearing on April 23, 2019, hearing, Eberhart advocated in favor of a 20% tax rate that would save Spectacle tens of millions of dollars. The next day, Eberhart voted in favor of the Gaming Bill and those associated tax provisions.
In return for his advocacy and vote for the Gaming Bill, Eberhart accepted the promise of future employment at Spectacle, which included an annual salary of $350,000 and equity stake in the company.
“This criminal’s former constituents, and all Hoosiers, rightfully expect elected officials to act on the public’s behalf, and not to line their own pockets. Legislation must not be for sale to the highest bidder, especially when they have such a tremendous impact on our state and its economy,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Public office is a public trust, and those who break that trust by taking bribes will be identified and held accountable. The federal prison sentence imposed today demonstrates our office’s commitment to root out public corruption at all levels of government and uphold the law regardless offenders’ status or position.”
The FBI investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Matthew P. Brookman. Judge Brookman also ordered that Eberhart pay $25,000 in fines and $60,000 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley P. Shepard, who prosecuted this case.
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Terre Haute Sex Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Images of the Sexual Abuse of Babies and ToddlersRead the Press Release
TERRE HAUTE- Joshua Lee Schatz, 33, of Terre Haute, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, on February 3, 2023, Indiana State Police Troopers received a tip that Joshua Lee Schatz had sent anime and computer-generated images of child sexual abuse material to another individual through text messages. The obscene images were extremely graphic, and some depicted toddlers being raped and sexually abused by adult men.
On March 10, 2023, investigators executed a search warrant and seized Schatz’ phone and electronic devices from his home in Terre Haute. Investigators discovered hundreds of child sexual abuse images and videos on his devices, including images and videos depicting the rape and sexual abuse of babies, toddlers, and other prepubescent children—some of the victims appearing to be babies under 6-months-old.
Investigators also located text messages sent by Schatz in which he described sexual activity he wanted to perform on children known to him.
At the time of his 2023 arrest, Joshua Schatz was a registered sex offender as a result of his 2016 conviction for sexually abusing a child under 14-years-old in Vigo County.
“There is no greater responsibility for a society than to protect our children from harm—especially the youngest and most vulnerable, unable to speak for themselves,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Repeat offenders like this defendant demonstrate their unwillingness or inability to stop committing these crimes, and a serious term of imprisonment is needed to protect the public and hold the offender accountable. Together with our partners at the FBI, IMPD, and Indiana’s exemplary ICAC Task Force, we will continue to make our children safer by ensuring that these dangerous predators are in prison where they belong.”
The FBI, Indiana State Police, and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha Spiro, who prosecuted this case.
This investigation was conducted by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a multiagency task force led by the Indiana State Police that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to sexually exploit or entice children. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators evaluate thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse. Visit https://www.in.gov/isp/icactf/ to learn more about their efforts.
This case was also brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
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Illegally Armed Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to Five Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- LaDarien McGee, 27, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession of fentanyl and cocaine with intent to distribute.
According to court documents, on January 9, 2024, IMPD executed a state search warrant and a fugitive arrest warrant on LaDarien McGee at a gas station, located at West Washington Street in Indianapolis. As law enforcement officers approached McGee, he fled on foot. Officers arrested McGee after a short chase and found a small bag of fentanyl pills, weighing approximately 3.2 grams, on his person. The officers also seized a 9-millimeter Glock handgun from McGee’s vehicle at the gas station.
Immediately after McGee’s arrest, officers executed a state search warrant at McGee’s residence. The officers found a red shoebox in McGee’s bedroom, which contained a 39.04 grams of fentanyl pills, a digital scale with cocaine residue, and 13.4 grams of cocaine. The officers also found a 5.7 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun and a .357 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver under the pillows on the bed, a 5.56 caliber Kel-Tec AR variant pistol along the wall beside the bed, and a .380 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun in a clothing rack.
McGee has sustained a previous felony conviction for trafficking with an inmate in Hendricks County, Indiana, which prohibits him from ever legally possessing a firearm.
“Fentanyl is devastating our communities at an unprecedented rate. Illegally armed fentanyl dealers pose an even greater danger to the public,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “We continue to work diligently with the ATF, IMPD, and other agencies to counter these deadly drugs and remove armed fentanyl dealers from our neighborhoods.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley A. Blackington, who prosecuted this case.
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