Southern District of Indiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Repeat Violent Criminal Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery of an Indianapolis Gas StationRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Damon Smithson, 54, of Indianapolis has been sentenced to twenty-two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to interference with commerce by robbery, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and unlawfully possessing a firearm.
According to court documents, on November 28, 2022, Smithson entered a Shell Gas station located on the northeast side of Indianapolis. Upon entering, he did not find anyone working, so he walked around the building until he found an employee sweeping outside. At that time, Smithson brandished a small revolver and ordered the employee to enter the business and give him all the money in the cash register. The employee complied with the demand and opened the register drawer. Smithson removed all the money from the register and fled the gas station.
On December 13, 2022, Smithson was arrested by IMPD. During the arrest, officers found a small .38 caliber revolver, which matched the revolver brandished during the robbery.
At the time of his arrest, Smithson had been previously convicted of multiple felonies, including armed robbery and two separate counts of robbery. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited under federal law from ever possessing a firearm.
“Many gun crimes are committed by repeat criminals who have no legal business having a firearm,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana “The serious prison sentence imposed here demonstrates that armed, repeat criminals will be held fully accountable in federal court when they terrorize our communities. Our community will be safe from this defendant for decades thanks to the hard work of the FBI, IMPD, and our federal prosecutor.”
“The defendant had a pattern of violent activity including armed robbery and this sentence will ensure residents of our community will no longer have to fear they may be a victim of his violence,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “This is another great example of the power of partnerships between agencies to protect our residents.”
FBI and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson. Judge Stinson also ordered that Smithson be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for three years following his release from federal prison and pay a $700 fine.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States 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.
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Indianapolis Man Sentenced to over 20 Years in Federal Prison After Being Found Guilty of Trafficking Methamphetamine and Fentanyl; Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Steven Lamar Brown, 42, of Indianapolis has been sentenced to 246 months in federal prison. In June of 2023, a federal jury found Brown guilty of seven felony charges: five counts of trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl, one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, between September 2020, and February of 2021, Brown was observed and recorded on video and audio selling more than fifty grams of methamphetamine on three separate occasions. On the recordings Brown can be clearly seen and heard weighing drugs and counting the money he received in exchange.
On February 23, 2021, IMPD officers attempted to stop Brown in his car to arrest him, but Brown refused to comply. Officers eventually stopped Brown, searched his vehicle, and found a loaded .380 caliber pistol in the glove box.
Later that day, law enforcement, including Task Force Officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration and IMPD officers, conducted a court-authorized search of Brown’s residence. Inside, throughout the house, they found a trove of illegal drugs, tools of the drug trade, Brown’s personal documents, and eight firearms, including three assault rifles, four handguns, and a shotgun:
Master Bedroom & Closet
- 52.1 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl and heroin.
- 26.3 grams of fentanyl
- 100.96 grams of heroin
- 165.5 grams of methamphetamine
- 117 Xanax pills
- 10.7 grams of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”)
- 3 loaded semi-automatic assault-style rifles
- A loaded shotgun
- A loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun
- Brown’s birth certificate and social security card
On and Under the Bed
- 1.2 kilograms of synthetic marijuana in gallon-size bags
- 28.0 grams of synthetic marijuana
- A loaded .38 Special caliber revolver
- 2 loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistols
Bedroom #2
- A metal kilo press
- Loaded magazines
- A box of ammunition behind a standalone mirror
Kitchen
- A black digital scale with drug residue
- 407.1 grams of synthetic marijuana
Brown has multiple prior convictions for felony offenses, including robbery, for which he was on parole when he committed these federal crimes. As a result of those convictions, Brown is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
“This violent felon sold fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other drugs in our community—all while illegally armed to the teeth,” 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 two-decade prison sentence imposed here demonstrates that these very serious crimes carry very serious consequences.”
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Indianapolis Field Office, and Chief of IMPD, Randal Taylor, made the announcement.
The DEA and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James R. Sweeney II. Judge Sweeney also ordered that Brown be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years following his release from federal prison and pay a $500 fine.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Pamela S. Domash and 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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Ingredion to Spend $8 Million in Settlement over Violations Involving Emissions of Particulate Matter at Indianapolis Corn Wet MillRead the Press Release
Plant-based ingredient maker Ingredion Incorporated today agreed to a settlement with the Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, to settle claims that it violated the Clean Air Act (CAA) at its corn wet milling facility in Indianapolis. Ingredion will pay a civil penalty of $1,139,600 and implement measures at a cost of nearly $7 million to reduce and offset unpermitted emissions of particulate matter (PM) and to comply with lower future PM limits.
A complaint filed with the consent decree states that Ingredion violated CAA permit limits on PM emissions, including inhalable PMs with a diameter of 10 microns or less, and volatile organic compounds. The complaint also states that Ingredion did not operate and monitor certain equipment as required to minimize air emissions.
“Today’s settlement will not just bring Ingredion back into compliance with the Clean Air Act, it will hold it to more stringent air pollution standards going forward,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “This settlement will result in cleaner air for the residents of Indianapolis, particularly those who live in the overburdened community near the Ingredion facility.”
“This settlement requires Ingredion to both lower its future emissions of particulate matter and take additional steps to offset the excess emissions it has released in prior years,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “To help ensure the Company’s future compliance, the settlement also requires Ingredion to implement a compliance management system that is subject to an independent audit program.”
“IDEM is happy to be a part of this resolution that ensures responsible operations in compliance with the Clean Air Act,” said IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess. “Good air quality is a shared resource that requires partnership between government entities, the public and industry. This settlement will benefit residents in Marion County and Hoosiers across Indiana.”
PM is composed of microscopic solids or liquid droplets. It can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems including coughing, aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis and premature death in people with heart or lung disease.
The settlement requires Ingredion to install and operate new equipment to meet PM limits that are lower than the plant’s current permitted limits. The company completed installation and testing of the new system in advance of today’s filing. The settlement also requires Ingredion to implement a modernized compliance management system to address repeated operation and monitoring failures at the facility, and hire an independent auditor to verify the effectiveness of the system.
Under today’s settlement, Ingredion committed to mitigating the harm associated with past excess PM emissions by paving onsite unpaved and partially paved roads and parking areas to reduce PM emissions generated by vehicle traffic, which Ingredion completed in advance of today’s filing. The company will also replace aging railway locomotives at the facility with two modern locomotives that meet emissions standards.
As a state supplemental environmental project, the settlement requires Ingredion to contribute $560,400 to the State of Indiana to support Brownfields redevelopment in and around Marion County, Indiana.
The EPA and IDEM are investigating the case.
Attorneys from ENRD’s Environmental Enforcement Section and the Indiana Attorney General’s Office are handling the case.
The consent decree, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval. The consent decree will be available for viewing at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.
Bloomington Man Sentenced to Thirty Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting a Child Under His CareRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Joshua Ray Vestal, 40, of Bloomington has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of a child.
According to court documents, on September 5, 2022, Joshua Vestal forced a child to engage in sexually explicit conduct with him, and Vestal filmed the conduct with his cell phone. At the time the video was recorded, the child victim was between 12- and 16-years-old and was under Vestal’s care, custody, or control.
Four days later, a witness discovered the video and multiple nude images of the child on Vestal’s phone. The witness identified Vestal and the child in the video. The witness sent the images and video to her personal phone to preserve the evidence, and then confronted Vestal about what they found.
When the witness confronted Vestal, he took their cell phone and submerged it in a toilet. Vestal then performed a factory reset on his own cell phone and took out the SIM card in an attempt to erase the digital evidence. However, when the witness obtained a new phone, they found the video of Vestal sexually abusing the child synced to their electronic account. The following day, Bloomington Police Department officers arrested Vestal for sexual exploitation of a child.
“Everyone deserves a childhood free from sexual abuse, and it is up to us as adults to do all we can to protect children. This defendant not only sexually abused a vulnerable child entrusted in his care, he then attempted to conceal his heinous acts by destroying the evidence,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana “The serious sentence imposed in this case will ensure that children are protected from this predator for several decades to come. I commend the Bloomington Police Department, FBI, Indiana State Police, and state and federal prosecutors for stopping the abuse of this child, and preventing the abuse of others who may have fallen within his grasp in the future.”
“Indiana State Police investigators work diligently every day, all across Indiana, and in close collaboration with its law enforcement partners, to help bring to justice those who seek to perpetuate the victimization of children”, said Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter.
The FBI investigated this case with valuable assistance provided by the Bloomington Police Department, Indiana State Police, and the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew P. Brookman. Judge Brookman also ordered that Vestal be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for life following his release from federal prison and pay $10,000 in restitution to the child victim. Vestal is also required to register as a sex offender wherever he lives, works, or attends school for the rest of his life.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Kyle M. Sawa, 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 a Decade in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Larry Scott, 49, of Indianapolis has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, on February 23, 2023, investigators executed a search warrant at Scott’s residence following a months-long investigation into his ongoing drug trafficking activities. During the search, investigators located approximately 40.1 grams of fentanyl, two digital scales, a box of baggies, a spoon, a box of razor blades, and $1,309 in U.S. currency. Additionally, investigators located a Smith & Wesson M&P 45 handgun and a Del-Ton, AR-style pistol.
Scott was already a felon at the time of his most recent crimes, with a lengthy criminal history including a prior conviction for illegal gun possession. As a convicted felon, is prohibited under federal law from ever possessing a firearm.
“Again and again, we see illegally armed criminals pushing fentanyl into our neighborhoods. Deadly weapons and deadly drugs cause immense harms and end far too many lives far too soon,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Our office is prioritizing prosecution of criminals like this defendant, whose crimes pose such a danger to our communities. This defendant will now serve a decade in federal prison, a serious sentence that demonstrates that these crimes will not be tolerated.”
DEA, IMPD, and the Hamilton/Boone County Drug Task Force investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Scott be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 4 years following his release from federal prison and pay $500 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States 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.
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Indianapolis Woman Sentenced to 21 Months in Federal Prison for Illegal Purchase of a Firearm she Knew her Son Intended to Use in a Violent CrimeRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Tyesha Clark, 39, of Indianapolis has been sentenced to twenty-one months in federal prison after pleading guilty to making a false statement to a licensed firearms importer and engaging in the unlawful sale or transfer of a handgun to a juvenile who intended to use the gun in a crime of violence.
According to court documents, on March 13, 2021, Tyesha Clark purchased a Glock 19X 9mm handgun from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Indianapolis. During the purchase, Clark completed federal firearms purchase paperwork and falsely certified that she was the actual buyer of the handgun. In fact, she purchased the firearm for her sixteen-year-old son. In her guilty plea, Clark admitted that she knew or had reason to believe that her son intended to use it in the commission of a violent crime when she bought him the gun.
In text messages obtained by the ATF during the investigation, Clark communicated with her son about the model and cost of the Glock, as well as ammunition, as the March 13th purchase was in progress. Additionally, Clark sent text messages showing that she knew her son had a history of trading illegal guns on the street. The text messages further showed that Clark had reason to believe her son was dangerous, shot people, robbed people, and was involved in gang activity.
The messages showed that Clark disposed of firearms she believed were used by her son in illegal activity, purchased firearms to further his alleged illegal activities, and provided guidance on removing potential evidence of illegal activity from social media. Clark’s son is not charged in the federal case, and he remains innocent of any crimes until proven guilty.
“Far too many of the shootings and killings in our communities are committed by people who have no lawful business having a gun in the first place. Many of these dangerous criminals are armed because someone else committed a crime to get them a gun,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Straw purchasers share a measure of culpability for the violence and death they facilitate. The federal prison sentence imposed here demonstrates that illegally arming violent criminals carries serious consequences.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson. Judge Stinson also ordered that Clark be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for two years following her release from federal prison.
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.
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Indianapolis Man Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Manufacturing Counterfeit CurrencyRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Jacob Seyfried, 47, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to manufacturing counterfeit currency.
According to court documents, on November 13, 2021, a Carmel Police Department Officer initiated a traffic stop on a Cadillac with stolen license plates near 96th street. The driver was Jacob Seyfried. Seyfried stated that he had been released from jail about six days prior and had been staying at the nearby Clarion Hotel. He claimed that he borrowed the Cadillac and just finished shopping at Kohls.
The Carmel officer searched the vehicle and found a $100 bill under the console that appeared brighter in color than normal. The officer also found several receipts on the floorboard of the vehicle, a paper shredder in the trunk, and a Kohl’s shopping bag containing a Nike coat and backpack.
The officers searched Seyfried’s person and removed a wad of fifty-dollar bills. Seyfried told officers he had about $400 in cash on him at the time. Officers examined the money and noticed that most of the bills had the exact same serial number. Officers recovered a total of $300 in counterfeit $100 and $50 bills. Officers went to Kohl’s and recovered the bills that Seyfried used to pay for his purchases, which were also counterfeit. A $50 bill Seyfried used at Kohls had the same serial number as the counterfeit bills police later found on his person.
At the Clarion Hotel, law enforcement officers searched the room Seyfried checked out of that morning. During their search, they located items used to manufacture counterfeit bills, including gel pens, double-sided tape, a water proofer, a printing paper booklet, several articles of ink and paint, and two printers. Officers also recovered eight pages of printed, counterfeit $100 bills, and four pages of printed counterfeit $50 bills.
Seyfried has a lengthy criminal history including convictions for forgery, possessing a handgun as a convicted felon, and a prior federal conviction for mail fraud. He was caught with a counterfeit title for a stolen, $50,000 Dodge Charger while on pretrial release in this case.
“Undeterred by multiple convictions and jail time, Mr. Seyfried continued to use fraud and deceit to line his pockets,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Creating counterfeit currency is not a victimless crime, it harms everyone in our economy-stealing income from businesses and raising prices for consumers. The serious prison sentence here demonstrates that fraudsters and forgers will face serious punishment for economic crimes. I commend the Carmel Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service, along with our federal prosecutor, for their diligent work to ensure that this criminal is held accountable.”
“The sentencing in this case is a testament to the outstanding work of the Carmel Police Department,” said Jeffrey R. Adams, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Indianapolis Field Office. “We would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Carmel Police Department for their partnership in this investigation.”
The Carmel Police Department and U.S. Secret Service investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James P. Hanlon. Judge Hanlon also ordered that Seyfried be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Eakman, who prosecuted this case.
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Cicero Man Sentenced to Thirty Years in Federal Prison After Sexually Exploiting Children He Lured by Offering Vape Pens on SnapchatRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Jacob Glenn, 26, of Cicero, Indiana, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of a child.
According to court documents, Jacob Glenn used Snapchat to communicate with girls between 13- and 15-years-old, falsely claiming to be a teen boy and offering to purchase nicotine or vape pens in exchange for sex. Glenn’s Snapchat username, “theplugfogshyde” was intended to indicate that he could obtain vape pens for others he met online.
On two occasions in 2021, Glenn coerced and enticed a girl between 12- and 15-years-old, to sneak out of her home after midnight to get vapes from him, including on Christmas Eve. Glenn picked the child up and drove her to a nearby truck stop where he told her that he would not accept cash for the vapes. Instead, Glenn stated that they could work out a “deal” where she could pay him with sex. Glenn picked up the same child again on January 17, 2022, and coerced and enticed her to engage in sex acts in exchange for vape pens. He used his phone to record the sexual conduct he engaged in with the child and instructed her to not tell anyone about his abuse. Glenn later used Snapchat to send a copy of the child sexual abuse video to two other minor girls.
Glenn engaged in a similar course of criminal conduct with another minor girl he met on Snapchat between December 2021 and January 2022. The second victim was less than 14-years-old. On January 9, 2022, after a conversation via Snapchat, Glenn picked the second victim up near her home, drove her to a nearby truck stop, and engaged in sexual conduct in exchange for vape pens. Glenn also attempted to convince a child who was a friend of the second victim to engage in sex in exchange for vapes, but they did not meet in person.
A law enforcement review of Glenn’s Snapchat account found conversations between Glenn and multiple other girls between thirteen and fifteen years old. In some of these conversations, Glenn offered nicotine or alcohol in exchange for sex or nude images.
Glenn has a history of engaging in unlawful sex acts with children. In October 2020, Glenn engaged in sex with a girl who was between 14- and 15-years-old. Glenn was 23-years-old at the time. On October 19, 2020, Glenn was arrested and charged in Madison County for crimes related to this abuse. Glenn admitted to law enforcement that he engaged in sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl on multiple occasions, and that he knew her true age during at least some of the time he was engaging in sex acts with the child. Glenn was out on bond for these charges at the time he exploited the two children in December 2021 and January 2022.
“These heinous crimes are one of a family’s worst nightmares. The sad truth is that applications like Snapchat not always safe spaces, they are often hunting grounds for predators who seek gratification from their sexual abuse of our children,” 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 criminal for decades to come. Other online predators should take notice that the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, including the FBI, IMPD, and our federal prosecutors, will work tirelessly to hold them accountable and make our children safer from abuse.”
The FBI and IMPD investigated this case with valuable assistance provided by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, the Madison County Sheriff’s Department and the Chesterfield Police Department. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James P. Hanlon. Judge Hanlon also ordered that Glenn be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for life following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Sawa, who prosecuted this case.
This investigation was conducted by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a multi-agency task force led by the Indiana State Police, charged with the prevention, interdiction, investigation, and prosecution of individuals who use the Internet to exploit children. The Indiana ICAC seeks to combat crimes against children through the Internet by vigorously investigating and prosecuting offenders. The task force aims to educate children and parents on Internet safety and responsibility through community outreach. 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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Repeat Felon Sentenced to over Thirteen Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking and Illegal Possession of Firearms and Glock SwitchesRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Phillip Bonds, 39, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to 160 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, on three separate occasions between April 17 and May 10, 2023, Phillip Bonds sold a total of approximately 364 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine to another individual.
On May 19, 2023, Drug Enforcement Administration agents executed a federal search warrant at Bonds’ home and found approximately 115 grams of methamphetamine and 70 grams of cocaine; 620 grams of marijuana; 10 firearms; ammunition; Glock switches and various drug cutting agents. In pleading guilty, Bonds admitted that he intended to sell the drugs he possessed.
Bonds is prohibited from legally possessing a firearm due to his three previous felony convictions for crimes related to illegally possessing guns and ammunition. At the time of his arrest on May 19, Bonds was on probation for the felony offense of Carrying a Handgun without a License in Marion County.
“Deadly weapons and deadly drugs lead to far too many tragedies for our families and in our neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers. “This defendant continued to illegally arm himself to the teeth, while pushing deadly poisons into our community with no regard for the people they harmed. Thanks to the hard work of the DEA, IMPD, and our federal prosecutor, he has been held accountable for his crimes. The federal prison sentence imposed here should serve as a warning to any who choose to menace our streets—serious crimes warrant serious consequences.”
The DEA and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew P. Brookman. Judge Brookman also ordered that Bonds be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 4 years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick G. Gibson, who prosecuted this case.
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Former Indiana State Representative Agrees to Plead Guilty to Federal Corruption ChargeRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS—Sean Eberhart, 57, a former member of the Indiana House of Representatives, has agreed to plead guilty to conspiring with others to solicit and receive the promise of future, lucrative employment with a gaming company in exchange for his support of legislation beneficial to the gaming company. The United States Attorney’s Office filed the charges along with Eberhart’s agreement to plead guilty.
According to court documents, Eberhart was the elected representative for Indiana House District 57, which included Shelby County and portions of Bartholomew and Hancock counties. Eberhart served on the House Committee on Public Policy, which had jurisdiction over matters concerning casinos and gaming in Indiana.
In late 2018 and early 2019, a gaming company called Spectacle Entertainment sought to purchase the state licenses for two casinos that were located on the waterfront of Lake Michigan, and to relocate those casinos to other areas beneficial to Spectacle. Purchases and relocations of casinos in Indiana must be approved through the passage of a bill by both houses of the Indiana legislature, then signed by the Governor.
A bill to allow Spectacle’s purchases and relocations was introduced in the Indiana House and considered by the House Committee on Public Policy. In addition to approving the purchases and relocations of the casinos, the bill included provisions for Spectacle to pay a “transfer fee.”
According to the federal charges, an owner of Spectacle, identified as Individual A, offered, and Eberhart accepted, the promise of future employment at Spectacle, which included annual compensation of at least $350,000. In exchange, Eberhart allegedly used his position as a member of the Indiana House of Representatives to advocate and ultimately vote for passage of the bill on terms favorable to Spectacle, including to authorize the transfer and relocation of the two casinos, reducing the transfer fee from $100 million to $20 million, and enacting tax incentives that would benefit Spectacle. Additionally, Eberhart allegedly sent text messages regarding his efforts to secure legislation favorable to Spectacle and to “make it right for” Individual A.
The charges were announced by Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, and Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office. The FBI investigated this case.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Brad Shepard, who is prosecuting this case.
Charges are merely allegations, and those accused are presumed innocent until they plead guilty or are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Former Indiana University Foundation Employee Sentenced to One Year in Federal Prison for Embezzling More Than $326,000 in DonationsRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Teresa Maners, 64, of Spencer, Indiana, has been sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud.
According to court documents, Maners was employed with the Indiana University Foundation as a Depositor and Payroll Deduction Associate beginning in 1988. The Indiana University Foundation works to maximize financial support for Indiana University through private donations and on-campus fundraisers. Maners’ job duties included recording cash and checks received from donors and preparing them for deposit in the foundation’s bank account.
During her employment, Maners stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the foundation by taking cash before recording it in the foundation’s accounting systems. To hide the stolen cash, Maners secretly withheld checks from the day’s deposits and substitute those checks in a subsequent day’s deposit to hide the missing cash. She also wrote checks to the foundation from her personal bank account to cover any difference between the substituted donor checks and the stolen cash. This type of fraud is sometimes referred to as a “lapping scheme.” As the only employee in charge of recording cash donations, Maners was able to alter the accounting paperwork to “balance” the books and keep the stolen cash donations for herself. Maners continued the fraud for nearly four years, and stole approximately $326,334 from the foundation. In 2019, the foundation conducted an external audit after discovering accounting irregularities, and confronted Maners who admitted to stealing the money.
“For years, this defendant abused her position of trust to line her own pockets and steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in charitable donations from a foundation dedicated to advancing important educational programs in our state,” said U.S. Attorney, Zachary A. Myers. “Our office and the FBI are dedicated to identifying criminals who steal from and defraud our charities, businesses, and government organizations and holding them accountable. The federal prison sentence imposed here demonstrates that financial crimes cause serious harms and merit serious punishment.”
“Charitable organizations like the Indiana University Foundation count on people in positions of trust to act in the interests of organization and its mission rather than taking advantage of their position for personal gain as the defendant did,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI will continue to identify and investigate those who choose to commit fraud and enrich themselves at the expense of others.”
The FBI investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson. Judge Stinson ordered that Maners be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for two years following her release from federal prison and pay $326,334.64 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Corbin Houston, who prosecuted this case.
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Repeat Bank Robber Sentenced to Twelve and a Half Years in Federal Prison After Robbing Four More Banks in Two-Weeks While on ParoleRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Jaquan Lavon Smith, 31, of Indianapolis has been sentenced to 151 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to four counts of bank robbery.
According to court documents, between October 4 through October 18, 2021, Smith robbed four different federally insured banks, stealing nearly $25,000.
On October 4, 2021, Smith entered the Chase Bank branch near North Keystone Avenue. Once inside, Smith approached a teller and passed a robbery note that stated, “This is a robbery, be quick about it.” The teller gathered $4,058 and passed it to Smith. Over the next two weeks, Smith robbed three more banks in a similar manner, using threatening notes that demanded $10,000 and instructed the victims not to use security measures. During his two-week bank robbery spree, Smith stole nearly $25,000:
DATE
VICTIM
MONEY STOLEN
October 4, 2021
Chase Bank, Indianapolis, IN
$4,058
October 6, 2021
Tri County Bank & Trust, Bainbridge, IN
$10,000
October 11, 2021
Chase Bank, Lawrence, IN
$3,336
October 18, 2021
BMO Harris, Indianapolis, IN
$7,469
FBI Agents arrested Smith shortly after the October 18, 2021, robbery, as he was making his getaway. On Smith’s person, the agents located over $7,000 in cash, and the robbery note used during the robbery of the BMO Harris bank.
Smith has a significant history of robbing banks. In June and July 2018, Smith robbed six banks in Indianapolis and one in Hamilton County over twenty-two days. The demand notes Smith used in the six 2018 bank robberies were nearly identical to the ones he used to rob four banks in 2021. Smith was convicted of the five Indianapolis robberies and sentenced to two years in prison. On July 30, 2021, he was released from the Indiana Department of Corrections to parole. Smith began his latest robbery spree just eight weeks later. The charges related to the 2018 Hamilton bank County robbery were still pending when he robbed four banks in October 2021.
“Again and again, this career criminal chose to terrorize innocent bank employees in his pursuit of what he believed would be easy cash,” Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “He returned to robbing banks soon after getting out on parole, undeterred by his prior prison sentence. Thanks to the hard work of the FBI, IMPD, Lawrence Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, and our federal prosecutor, the public will be protected for many years as he serves a very serious federal prison sentence.”
“The reign of terror of the defendant is over thanks to the outstanding investigative work and collaboration of the FBI and our law enforcement partners,” said Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office. “This sentence clearly demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to ensuring those who threaten bank employees and steal the peace of mind of residents of our community will pay the price.”
“This investigation resulting in US Federal Court conviction represents yet another exemplary collaboration between Federal, State, and Local law enforcement agencies, focusing our considerable resources on holding this offender accountable for his criminal actions,” said Lawrence Police Department Deputy Chief Gary Woodruff. “Thanks to the efforts of each agency who participated, and to the US Attorney’s Office for focusing on those who commit dangerous crimes, these efforts result in safer communities.”
The FBI, IMPD, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, and Lawrence Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James R. Sweeney. Judge Sweeney also ordered that Smith be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jayson W. McGrath, who prosecuted this case.
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Indiana U.S. Attorney’s Offices Announce $6 Million in Department of Justice Funding for Hoosier Public Safety ProgramsRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced several new commitments as part of its Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime. Instituted by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in May 2021, the strategy focuses on harnessing federal resources, intelligence, and expertise as a force-multiplier with state and local law enforcement.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco and Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta highlighted the more than $334 million in critical grant funding to law enforcement agencies and stakeholders nationwide, awarded today by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office).
The COPS grants announced today include funding to help law enforcement agencies hire over 1,730 new law enforcement officers across the country while also providing critical funding to support school safety and continue to advance community policing nationwide.
Through this funding, U.S. Attorney’s Offices for both the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana are pleased to announce that the Department’s COPS Office awarded a total of $6,689,417.00 to combat violent crime and maintain public safety in the state. Specific recipients and amounts are as follow:
Award
Recipient
Amount
COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program
Indiana State Police
$2,000,000
COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program
City of Hobart
$500,000
COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program
Lake Station Community Schools
$375,000
COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program
Logansport Community Schools
$478,843
COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program
New Castle Community Schools
$358,132
COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program
Valparaiso Community Schools
$390,000
COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program
Vincennes Police Department
$337,422
COPS Hiring Program
City of Frankfort
$250,000
COPS Hiring Program
Porter County
$125,000
COPS Hiring Program
Town of Roseland
$125,000
COPS Hiring Program
Tippecanoe County
$1,250,000
COPS Hiring Program
Vincennes Police Department
$500,0000
Lastly, the Deputy Attorney General and Associate Attorney General announced that the Justice Department will host a Violent Crime Reduction Summit December 11-13, in Indianapolis. The summit, organized by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs and Bureau of Justice Assistance will bring together 1,500 local and federal partners from across the country, including community and law enforcement representatives from Project Safe Neighborhoods and the more than 50 jurisdictions that have participated in the National Public Safety Partnership.
“We are excited to announce this important Justice Department funding to help make our communities safer, and to host the Department’s 2023 Violent Crime Reduction Summit right here in Indianapolis,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “I welcome the many dedicated community and law enforcement leaders from across the country to our wonderful city as we work together to reduce violent crime. The work done at this summit will help make our communities safer by sharing interventions and strategies to prevent violence and hold violent criminals accountable.”
“These grants will help departments, in my District and throughout the State, address a myriad of issues that undermine public safety, such as violence in schools, illicit methamphetamine activities, and a shortage of law enforcement officers.” Said Clifford D. Johnson, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana. “These grants also exhibit yet another way the Department of Justice provides support to our public safety partners.”
“Law enforcement officers across the country are showing up every day to protect their communities in the face of unprecedented challenges,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “These grants, which support the hiring of more than 1,700 new officers and make critical investments in school safety and crisis intervention efforts, will help provide local law enforcement agencies with the resources they need to keep their communities safe, support officers, and build public trust.”
Complete lists of all program award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found at cops.doj.gov/grants.
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Former Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officer Sentenced to A Year in Federal Prison for Accepting Bribes from Inmates to Smuggle TobaccoRead the Press Release
TERRE HAUTE- Shauna N. Boatright, 36, of Fisher, Illinois, has been sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison after pleading guilty to accepting a bribe as a public official.
According to court documents, for nine years, Shauna Boatright was employed with the United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, as a correctional treatment specialist at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana.
In late 2021, Boatright was assigned to monitor an inmate in the facility’s Residential Drug Abuse Program. Boatright told the inmate that she was in financial distress and asked him how she could make some money. Boatright agreed to take bribes to smuggle tobacco into the prison for the inmate. Inmates are prohibited from possessing tobacco in federal prisons. Boatright later took bribes to smuggle tobacco into the prison for a second inmate. After the inmates received the contraband, they directed their associates outside of the facility to transfer money to Boatright using CashApp. Between September 30 and October 27, 2021, Boatright received five CashApp payments from the inmates’ associates totaling $9,800.
“The defendant took an oath to enforce the law and protect those in her care. Instead, she abused her position for her own financial gain—risking the health and safety of her fellow correctional officers and the facility’s inmates,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Public service is a public trust, especially for those entrusted with positions in corrections and law enforcement. The vast majority of corrections officers serve with honesty and integrity, and those who instead choose to break the law themselves must be held accountable. Our office is committed to working closely with the FBI and DOJ-OIG to root out all forms of corruption or abuse in our federal prisons.”
“We trust Federal Bureau of Prisons employees to conduct themselves with honesty and integrity. Ms. Boatright compromised her integrity for a bribe, and in the process, endangered her fellow Correctional Officers by introducing contraband into the prison,” said William J. Hannah, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General’s Chicago Field Office.
The FBI and Department of Justice- Office of Inspector General’s Chicago Field Office investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, James P. Hanlon. Judge Hanlon also ordered that Boatright be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 2 years following her release from federal prison and pay a $500 fine.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney, James M. Warden, who prosecuted this case.
Convicted Drug Dealer Sentenced to 16 ½ Years in Federal Prison for Dealing Fentanyl and Cocaine while on Probation.Read the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Walter Mays, 52, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to 198 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and admitting to violating his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.
According to court documents, on October 26, 2022, IMPD officers stopped Walter Mays for numerous traffic violations on the east side of Indianapolis. Officers searched the vehicle and located 189.2 grams of cocaine in the center console. During a conversation with officers, Mays admitted that he had more drugs at his residence and another 5.5 ounces of cocaine in the back of his truck. Mays also stated that he was on his way to sell the cocaine to a customer for $3,000.
Drug Enforcement Administration Agents searched Mays’ home and found a Bath and Body Works bag containing over 1.1 kilograms of fentanyl and 83.6 grams of crack cocaine. Agents also found a black 9mm handgun and two digital scales.
Mays is prohibited under federal law from ever possessing a firearm due to his previous felony conviction for possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. Mays was on federal supervised release at the time of this most recent offense.
“Fentanyl is the deadliest drug our country has ever faced, and those who seek to profit from this poison must be held accountable,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “The federal prison sentence imposed against this repeat drug dealer demonstrates that there will be serious consequences for those who traffic in deadly drugs with utter disregard for human life. Our federal prosecutors are committed to working closely with the DEA and IMPD to take fentanyl and fentanyl dealers off our streets because just one pill can kill.”
DEA and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Sarah Evans Barker. Judge Barker also ordered that Mays be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Patrick A. Gibson, 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. One kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people. 6 out of 10 illegal fentanyl tablets sold on U.S. streets now 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 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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Indiana U.S. Attorney’s Offices Celebrate Funding for Survivors Announced During Domestic Violence Awareness MonthRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- As part of a monthlong observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Southern and Northern Districts of Indiana are proud to announce that the Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) awarded $790,618 to the state of Indiana to bolster coordinated community responses aimed at bringing an end to domestic violence, as well as sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
Data from the most recent National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey indicate about 41% of women and 26% of men experienced sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner. Domestic violence rates are even higher for people of color, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ individuals.
The announced grants will reach historically marginalized and underserved communities, college and university campuses, rural towns, culturally specific communities, Tribal nations, and more. The funding prioritizes increasing access to justice, improving survivor safety, holding perpetrators accountable, and offering training and technical support to professionals addressing these crimes.
Indiana received the following funds for the 2023 fiscal year:
- OVW awarded $340,618 under State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program to enhance the coordination between courts, child protective services agencies, advocates, law enforcement, and community programs to encourage trauma-informed, survivor-centered responses to domestic violence and sexual assault.
- OVW awarded $450,000 under the Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Program (Transitional Housing Program) to support programs that provide 6 to 24 months of transitional housing or housing assistance to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
“No one should be subjected to abuse, especially by those closest to them. Whether or not we’re aware, everyone knows someone impacted by domestic and intimate partner abuse, said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “This trauma leaves an indelible mark on survivors and their families, from physical harm and psychological distress to negative impacts on housing, employment, and education. U.S. Attorney Johnson and I celebrate the Office of Violence Against Women’s support programs serving survivors across the state of Indiana.”
“I am pleased to announce, along with U.S. Attorney Myers, that our State has been awarded funding from the Office on Violence Against Women. Domestic Violence, in all forms, undermines the safety and security that one should have in their homes and intimate relationships. These grant funds will support the ongoing work being done to create communities free of domestic violence,” said Clifford D. Johnson, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana.
“Every day, a vast network of dedicated individuals helps domestic violence survivors access multiple pathways to safety, justice, and healing,” said OVW Director Rosie Hidalgo. “OVW understands that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing domestic violence. These funds will enable communities to increase capacity and strengthen a coordinated community approach to prevent and address violence in more comprehensive ways tailored to their communities. Together, with our grantees, we are building a future where individuals and families can live and thrive without the threat of intimate partner violence.”
The Department of Justice joins survivors, victim service providers, advocates, and communities nationwide in recognizing October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This is a time to center the experiences of survivors; honor those who lost their lives to domestic violence; express gratitude to the countless individuals in the movement to end violence; and raise awareness on the issues of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
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Sex Offender Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Hundreds of Thousands of Child Sex Abuse Images and Stealing Thousands of Rounds of Ammunition from U.S. MilitaryRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE- Timothy Guy, 76, of Martin County, Indiana, has been sentenced to 5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, receiving stolen U.S. government property, and possession of child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, from 1966 through 2004, Timothy Guy was employed as an explosive’s handler at the Crane Army Ammunition Activity. While working at Crane, he falsified documents to make it appear that ammunition had been destroyed, when in reality, he stole the ammunition and smuggled it out of the facility.
In 2018, Guy was found guilty of possessing child sexual abuse material after he was caught viewing the material at a Wendy’s restaurant—where he went to utilize the free Wi-Fi.
On April 30, 2021, a community corrections officer found an unregistered computer in Guy’s home during a routine sex offender check. Guy admitted to having flash drives that contained child sexual abuse material. A Martin County Sheriff’s deputy assisting the corrections officers quickly located over 250,000 images of children under 12 years old, on 875 data storage discs and 60 thumb drives. Guy was again arrested for possession of child sexual abuse material.
Indiana State Police investigators and Martin County Sheriff’s deputies began a search of Guy’s property following his April 30 arrest and discovered a cellar door. When a deputy checked the cellar, he located a large amount of ammunition and other material. Investigators later obtained a search warrant and recovered 10,000 rounds of ammunition, valued at over $1,000 and five firearms including three rifles and two pistols.
Guy is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his previous felony conviction of possession of child sexual abuse material.
“Undeterred by a prior conviction, the defendant possessed an enormous number of images of the most horrendous traumas inflicted upon countless innocent children, collected over many years, involving countless victims,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “Even worse, he abused the position he was entrusted with to help keep our country safe, and instead stole an enormous quantity of deadly ammunition, despite being a convicted felon and forever barred by law from having guns or ammunition. I commend the work of the ATF, ISP, Department of Defense, and Martin County Sheriff’s Office and our prosecutor for their work to hold this criminal accountable and make our community safer by getting him off our streets.”
“I applaud the investigative team and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their commitment to bring dangerous individuals like Mr. Guy to justice, putting an end to his reprehensible actions,” stated Special Agent in Charge Darrin K. Jones, DoD Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southeast Field Office. “This significant sentencing demonstrates our commitment to root out criminals associated with the DoD and safeguard the most vulnerable among us.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Department of Defense, Criminal Investigative Service, Indiana State Police, and Martin County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Richard L. Young. Judge Young also ordered that Guy be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 6 years following his release from federal prison and register as a sex offender wherever he lives, works, or goes to school.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States 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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Bloomington Man Sentenced to over Three Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Steal over $669,000 from Businesses and COVID-19 ProgramsRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE- Robert K. Hall, 73, of Bloomington, Indiana, has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to court documents, from September 2019 to December 2020, Hall conspired with others to defraud multiple businesses through business email compromise schemes, and to defraud multiple states and the Small Business Administration by taking advantage of COVID-19 loan and unemployment programs. Hall also worked with his co-conspirators to launder the stolen money through his bank accounts.
In September 2019, an employee of Victim Business 1 received a fraudulent email purporting to be a recognized vendor that the business previously worked with. The purported vendor explained that due to an audit involving its’ primary bank account, future payments should be made to a different account. The account that was named belonged to Hall under the guise of an electric company. This fraudulent email caused Business 1 to unknowingly transfer $113,550 into Hall’s personal account.
In July 2020, following the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), a fraudulent application was submitted to the Small Business Administration for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan without the knowledge or consent of the purported beneficiaries. Instead, the proceeds of the loans were deposited into an account controlled by Hall. Hall conducted a similar scheme when his co-conspirators fraudulently applied for three Economic Injury Disaster Loans using the names of an individual and two businesses, directing benefits to again be deposited into Hall’s personal accounts.
Additionally, between May 2020 and December 2020, applications for unemployment benefits were submitted to the states of Washington, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, Colorado, and Arizona on behalf of more than a dozen individuals whose identities had been stolen. The unemployment benefits were deposited into accounts controlled by Hall and then disbursed to his co-conspirators.
After receiving the fraudulent deposits in his accounts, Hall retained roughly 20% of the funds as compensation for his role in the schemes. He transferred the remaining money to his co-conspirators via checks and Bitcoin purchases.
In total, Hall attempted to steal $668,746.14. Some of the fraudulent transactions were blocked or reversed, and Hall only successfully received $399,868.36 in proceeds of the fraud schemes.
“This defendant played a critical role in multiple fraud schemes, including stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from vital relief programs created to support individuals and businesses in the midst of a global pandemic,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “We will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who defrauded COIVD-19 relief programs. My thanks to the U.S. Secret Service and our prosecutors for their efforts to hold fraudsters accountable and recover money stolen from the American public during this unprecedented crises.”
“Hall and his co-conspirators took advantage of government programs intended to assist small businesses and individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jeffrey R. Adams, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Indianapolis Field Office. “The Secret Service remains committed to aggressively pursuing fraudsters who target the financial infrastructure of the United States."
The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Richard L. Young. Judge Young also ordered that Hall be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Matthew B. Miller, who prosecuted this case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID 19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID 19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.###
Serial Robber Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Robbery of an Indianapolis BusinessRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- James Bennett, 44, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to 9 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to attempted commercial robbery.
According to court documents, on November 4, 2022, Bennett entered a PetSmart store on the East side of Indianapolis. Once inside, Bennett pointed what appeared to be a firearm at the cashier’s head and hit her with the weapon as he demanded she give him money, but she was unable to open the cash register. Bennett then unsuccessfully attempted to open the register himself by banging on it with his firearm. Bennett left the store. The entire attempted robbery was captured on video.
Before attempting to rob the PetSmart, Bennet was convicted of five separate robberies and a burglary, and one prior conviction for sexual intercourse with a minor. He was sentenced to prison in 2007 and released on July 30, 2022, just 3 months before he attempted to rob the PetSmart.
“This defendant assaulted and terrorized an innocent woman just doing her job,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “The sentence imposed here demonstrates that robbery is not a quick way to make some money—it’s a quick way to end up in prison. Our office, the FBI and IMPD, are committed to protecting the public by taking repeat, violent criminals off our streets.”
FBI and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson. Judge Stinson also ordered that Bennett be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States 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.
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Serial Child Predator Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Coercion and Enticement of Children as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Isaiah Austin, 21, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to coercion and enticement of two minors while required to register as a sex offender, and illegally possessing a firearm.
On December 3, 2020, Isaiah Austin was convicted in state court of the criminal confinement and sexual battery of a minor. He was sentenced to a total of five years in prison, with the time he served in pretrial detention executed, just less than a year, and the remaining four years to be served on probation. He was released from custody on the same day and was required by Indiana law to register as a sex offender.
In February 2021, Marion County probation officers conducted a compliance visit on Austin at his home. During their search, officers located a cell phone which contained multiple images and videos of child sexual abuse, as well as images of Austin holding firearms. Officers also uncovered text and Snapchat messages between Austin and a 14-year-old girl, beginning in early January 2021, less than a month after he was released from custody. In these text and Snapchat messages, Austin detailed sexual acts he wanted to engage in with the child and instructed her to send him sexually explicit images of herself.
On November 10, 2021, Austin engaged in a Facebook chat in which he agreed to sell a handgun. On November 17, 2021, Lawrence Police Department officers went to an address where Austin had been staying for the past week. Austin fled the residence by running out of the house and jumping the fence as police arrived. The homeowner and their partner turned Austin’s 9mm handgun over to officers, which was the same make and model as the gun Austin agreed to sell.
On January 14, 2022, Austin was arrested on federal charges resulting from his exploitation of the 14-year-old girl. While detained in pretrial custody, Austin began sexually exploiting a second minor victim using the jail’s phone and messaging systems. Beginning in March 2022 and continuing through September 2022, Austin directed the second minor to engage in sex acts with an adult male relative of Austin’s and send videos of the conduct to Austin.
Over the next few months, Austin attempted to coerce and entice the second minor into engaging in commercial sex acts, instructing her to “Look up this (adult pornography) website please we need to start making money. Please, for me.” Austin arranged for an adult male to meet up with the second minor for sex and told her that he would get her name tattooed on his face if she recorded the sexually explicit conduct. Austin can be heard on recorded jail calls directing the adult and the minor to engage in sex acts and confirm that they were being recorded.
“This serial sexual predator engaged in years of heinous sexual abuse and exploitation of children, undeterred even while he was on probation and in custody,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “He exploited vulnerable, underage girls for his own sick gratification with utter disregard for the dignity or safety of his child victims. Together with the U.S. Secret Service, IMPD, and Indiana’s outstanding Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, our federal prosecutors are committed to identifying and prosecuting these dangerous criminals. The sentence imposed here will ensure that our children are protected from this defendant for decades to come.”
The case was investigated by U.S. Secret Service and IMPD as part of Indiana’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with valuable assistance provided by the Lawrence Police Department. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Jane Magnus-Stinson. Judge Stinson also ordered that Austin be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 15 years following his release from federal prison and pay $5,000 in restitution to each victim.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence D. Hilton, 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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Brothers Sentenced to a Total of 27 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery Using OfferUpRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Jessie Dixson, 23, and his brother, Joqeis Dixson, 22 of Indianapolis, Indiana, have been sentenced to a total of 27 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to commercial robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.
According to court documents, on May 14, 2020, Jessie and Joqeis Dixson used OfferUp, an online marketplace, advertise the purported sale of a PlayStation game console. Victim N.B. agreed to purchase the console from the Dixson brothers in the vicinity of 4440 Jamestown Court, in Indianapolis. When N.B. arrived at the agreed location, Jessie Dixson pointed a shotgun in the victim’s face, and Joqeis Dixson took the victim’s cell phone and wallet. Both Dixson brothers fled the scene.
Law enforcement officers later obtained a warrant to search Dixson brothers’ residence. During the search, investigators located the gun used during the robbery in Joqeis Dixson’s bedroom.
Jessie Dixson was sentenced to 18 years and 7 months’ imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release and a fine of $500. Joqeis Dixson was sentenced to 9 years imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release. Joqeis was also ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution to the victim.
“For years, violent criminals have been using online marketplaces like OfferUp to set up armed robberies, sometimes leading to injuries and deaths,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Most local police departments will allow people to use their properties as a safe place to meet when buying and selling online, which can help keep everyone safe during these transactions. You often don’t know who is on the other end of an online communication, or what their intentions might be. I want to thank the FBI and our federal prosecutors for their work to ensure that these armed criminals were identified and held accountable.”
This case was investigated by the FBI. The sentences were imposed by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence Hilton, 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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U.S. Attorney’s Office Partnering with Indiana Disability Rights to Ensure Early Voting Sites are Accessible for All VotersRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana (USAO) and Indiana Disability Rights (IDR) are partnering to survey the accessibility of early polling sites for 2023 General Election. The project, “Access the Vote,” uses survey results to inform County Clerks about individualized solutions to ensure their polling places are accessible to voters with disabilities.
IDR has conducted accessibility surveys, based on the United States Department of Justice’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Checklist for Polling Places, during early voting in several primary and general elections. The USAO’s participation provides needed additional personnel to survey more counties and helps to raise awareness of the Access the Vote project.
The ADA requires all aspects of in-person voting – both early and on Election Day – to comply with accessibility requirements, including those for accessible parking and the route of travel to the voting area. The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) mandates additional accessibility measures, such as the provision of a working accessible voting machine at each polling place. Using a combination of IDR and USAO staff, as well as trained community partners, Access the Vote identifies potential ADA and HAVA violations and opportunities to remedy them.
“Voting is a fundamental right and civic duty. Everyone who wishes to vote in-person deserves to do so without barriers,” said Kristin Dulaney, IDR’s Project Manager for Access the Vote. “We welcome the support of the USAO to expand our Access the Vote initiative and serve more voters with disabilities who will cast their ballot this fall throughout Indiana.”
“Having your voice heard at the ballot box is a fundamental part of being an American. Every voter deserves the opportunity to cast their ballot in-person without barriers—and our laws require election officials to ensure access to the polls,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Through the Access the Vote project, we are teaming up with Indiana Disability Rights to help ensure that polling places comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and to educate election administrators on how to make their polling sites accessible. We will work together to see that all eligible Hoosiers are able to fully participate in our elections.”
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s initiatives to protect Civil Rights, please visit our website.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey D. Preston, who leads the office’s civil enforcement of civil rights laws and the Access the Vote project. Myers also thanked all the office’s professionals who volunteered to help ensure voters’ rights under law.
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Indy Man Sentenced to Six Months in Federal Prison for Falsely Identifying Robbery Suspect in Order to Claim Cash RewardRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Carl Davis, 25, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to six months in federal prison after pleading guilty to making a false statement or representation in a matter within the jurisdiction of the executive branch of the government of the United States.
According to court documents, on April 1, 2022, a letter carrier with the United States Post Office was robbed in the 1200 block of South Reisner Street in Indianapolis. Immediately following the armed robbery, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced that it was offering a $50,000 reward to anyone who provided information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction.
On April 7, 2022, Carl Davis called the tip line and claimed that he witnessed the robbery. In an interview with USPIS agents, under oath, Davis stated that he witnessed a man named M.S. hold a tan knife or gun to the letter carrier, take something from him and knock him down.
Further, Davis stated that he and M.S. communicated through Facebook Messenger. During this conversation, M.S. purportedly admitted to robbing the letter carrier. Davis provided investigators with images showing the purported conversation between him and M.S.
These statements were lies. Postal Inspectors discovered that the M.S. Facebook account—the one in which M.S. allegedly admitted to the robbery—was created by the Davis to set M.S. up. Davis admitted that he disliked M.S. for personal reasons and lied in hopes of getting M.S. incarcerated and collecting the $50,000 reward. M.S. did not commit the armed robbery.
“Greed and a petty personal beef do not entitle someone to lie and fabricate evidence in a federal investigation. The defendant’s attempt to frame an innocent person for a violent crime and collect the reward money was despicable,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “The prison sentence imposed here demonstrates that serious crimes like this carry serious consequences. I commend the work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to quickly debunk the defendant’s lies and ensure that he is held accountable.”
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Matthew P. Brookman. Judge Brookman also ordered that Davis be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 18 months following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Eakman, who prosecuted this case.
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Indiana Man Indicted for Sending Violent, Anti-Semitic Threats to Four Offices of the Anti-Defamation LeagueRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Andrzej Boryga, 67, with sending threatening communications to Anti-Defamation League offices around the country.
The indictment charges Boryga with four counts of willfully transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure another person. The defendant was also charged with choosing his victims because of their actual or perceived religion. According to the indictment, Boryga is alleged to have left voicemails containing threats to kill Jewish people at Anti-Defamation League offices located in New York, Texas, Colorado and Nevada.
If convicted on all counts, Boryga faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
“Preventing and prosecuting hate crimes is a top priority for the Justice Department and my office,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “We want to ensure the public that if a crime is motivated by bias, it will be investigated, and the perpetrators held responsible for their actions. We encourage anyone impacted by a hate crime to report violations to the FBI or through the U.S. Attorney’s Office website.”
Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office, Herbert Stapleton made the announcement.
The FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office investigated this case.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter A. Blackett and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section, who are 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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Indiana Man Indicted for Sending Violent Anti-Semitic Threats to Four Offices of the Anti-Defamation LeagueRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Indiana returned an indictment charging Andrzej Boryga, 67, with sending threatening communications to Anti-Defamation League offices around the country.
The indictment charges Boryga with four counts of willfully transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure another person. The defendant was also charged with choosing his victims because of their actual or perceived religion. According to the indictment, Boryga is alleged to have left voicemails containing threats to kill Jewish people at Anti-Defamation League offices located in New York, Texas, Colorado and Nevada.
If convicted on all counts, Boryga faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana and Special Agent in Charge Herbert Stapleton of the FBI Indianapolis Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Indianapolis Field Office investigated this 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 are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Boryga IndictmentChicago Man Sentenced to Six Years in Federal Prison for $1.5 Million Scheme to Obtain Two Dozen Luxury Vehicles Using Stolen IdentitiesRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Alexander Weatherspoon, a/k/a “Tyler Simmons,” 28, of Chicago, Illinois, has been sentenced to 6 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making false statements.
According to court documents, from December 2017 to August 2019, Weatherspoon participated in a scheme using other individuals’ names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth, to finance luxury vehicles. Weatherspoon was able to obtain four Dodge Charger Hellcats and a Porsche Panamera GTS from dealerships in Miami, Florida, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Jamestown, North Dakota. Once the vehicles were purchased and delivered to Weatherspoon, he defaulted on the loans he took out in other’s names and either kept or sold the vehicles for less than retail value.
On August 27, 2019, FBI agents interviewed Weatherspoon about the scheme. During the interview, Weatherspoon lied to the agents about his identity and falsely stated he purchased one of the vehicles for $25,000. In fact, Weatherspoon used a stolen identity to finance the purchase from a dealer for $56,443.
In total, investigators found that Weatherspoon was responsible for securing $1,450,646 in fraudulent financing for 24 vehicles.
“For nearly two years, this defendant operated a nationwide scam—fleecing car dealerships and damaging the credit and security of innocent identity theft victims,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “Identity theft can cause lasting economic harm and shake victims’ sense of security in their financial lives. The defendant compounded his crimes by lying to investigators. This investigation and prosecution demonstrate that the FBI, USPIS, Social Security Administration, and our federal prosecutors will continue to unravel complex financial crimes and work together to hold fraudsters accountable.”
“This sentence clearly demonstrates the severity of the illegal activity the defendant perpetrated all in an effort to enrich himself at the expense of unwitting victims,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI and our partners will continue to aggressively pursue swindlers who wreak havoc on the lives of others through identity theft.”
“By stealing the identities of consumers to obtain credit lines to purchase expensive vehicles, Mr. Weatherspoon’s criminal actions caused significant financial loss to individuals and businesses, as well as damaged the integrity of the Social Security number,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. “Identity theft is not victimless, and this sentence holds him accountable for his harmful actions. I thank the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their extensive work in this investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their efforts in prosecuting this case.”
The FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Richard L. Young. Judge Young also ordered that Weatherspoon be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 2 years following his release from federal prison and pay $972,591.40 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney MaryAnn Mindrum, who prosecuted this case.
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Drug Dealer Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm and Trafficking Meth While on ParoleRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Joseph Lloyd, 37, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) were dispatched to Joseph Lloyd’s Indianapolis residence to assist the Marion County Probation Office with an address verification and compliance check. At the time, Lloyd was on probation for dealing cocaine.
Lloyd was notified of the purpose for the visit and allowed officers into the residence. Once inside the home, officers found a handgun directly underneath Lloyd’s wallet. In the bedroom, officers found another handgun inside a hidden compartment in the closet. In the same compartment, officers found controlled substances, including a total of 53.5 grams of methamphetamine, 2.43 grams of Oxycodone, and 5.81 grams of Alprazolam. Officers also found $1,960 in cash and two digital scales with white drug residue in his closet. Lloyd admitted in court that he possessed the methamphetamine with the intent to sell it.
Lloyd was previously convicted of felony dealing in cocaine and possession of a narcotic drug. These felony convictions prohibit him from ever legally possessing a firearm under federal law.
“Even on parole for drug trafficking, this defendant persisted in dealing in deadly drugs while armed with deadly weapons,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “Our neighborhoods deserve to be protected from these crimes and those who commit them must be held accountable. Armed drug dealers are a high priority for federal prosecution. I encourage everyone returning to our communities from prison to engage with available services to turn their lives around, rather than returning to conduct that will land you right back behind bars.”
“Unfortunately, firearms and drugs are often found together,” stated Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “In this case, the defendant clearly did not reform his ways after serving time and returned to the community intent on putting poison on the streets and keeping a firearm to ‘protect’ his business. ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to break this destructive cycle.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge, Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Lloyd be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 4 years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Gibson, 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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Woman Sentenced to over Six Years in Federal Prison for Back-to-Back Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Shamiya Hunt, 37, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to 76 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to bank robbery and attempted bank robbery while on supervised release for a previous heroin trafficking conviction.
According to court documents, on October 25, 2022, at approximately 9:30 a.m., Hunt entered a Chase Bank in Speedway, Indiana, approached the bank teller and gave her a note demanding that she put money in the bag, and if she did no one would get hurt. In response, the teller pressed her panic button alarm and walked away from her station. Hunt left the bank without receiving any money.
An hour later, Hunt entered the Regions Bank located at 86th Street in Indianapolis. Again, she approached the bank teller and gave her a note demanding that she put the money in the bag so no one will get hurt. After receiving the note, the teller gave Hunt $750 in cash.
As she left the Regions Bank, an employee saw her get into the back seat of a maroon Honda Accord with body damage and a busted taillight. FBI agents located the getaway car approximately an hour later and arrested her. During questioning, Hunt admitted to the attempted robbery of the Chase Bank and the robbery of the Regions Bank.
Hunt was released from federal prison in March 2022, after serving a 10-year sentence for heroin trafficking. She was sentenced to 30 months in prison for violating the terms of her supervised release.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office Herbert J. Stapleton, made the announcement.
“Robbing banks won’t get you some quick cash, it will get you time in federal prison,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “It is especially important to hold repeat offenders accountable, to protect the public from their ongoing refusal to abide by our laws. Thanks to the quick investigative work of the FBI, this defendant has been held accountable for her decision to rob and intimidate innocent bank employees simply doing their jobs.”
This case was investigated by the FBI. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge, Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Hunt be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following her release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy C. Fugate, who prosecuted this case.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Targets Straw Purchasers of Firearms, Including Man Who Illegally Purchased the Handgun Used to Kill 6-Year-Old Chicago GirlRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Eric Lamar Keys, Jr., 25, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced for making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. He is the latest of several defendants to be federally prosecuted for gun trafficking offenses as the U.S. Attorney’s Office partners with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and other federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, to target illegal sources of guns used in crime.
According to court documents, on April 18, 2021, Chicago Police Department Officers were dispatched to a report of shots fired in the parking lot of a McDonald’s restaurant. When they arrived, they found one man shot in the stomach and a 6-year-old girl who had been shot and killed. The suspect in the shooting was ultimately arrested by law enforcement officers and found to be in possession of multiple guns. A ballistics analysis later confirmed that one of the guns, a Glock .40 caliber pistol, was used to murder the 6-year-old girl. That gun was purchased by Eric Lamar Keys in Indiana 48 days before it was used to shoot and kill the little girl.
Investigation by the ATF found that on February 21, 2021, Keys purchased a Taurus 9mm pistol from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Indianapolis, Indiana. Keys intentionally made a false statement by declaring on a required federal firearms purchase form that he was the actual buyer of the firearm, when in fact, he intended to purchase it for an individual prohibited by law from possessing a firearm in return for $750.
This form of gun trafficking is frequently referred to as “straw purchasing.” 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.
This sentencing comes on the tail-end of a series of similar straw purchasing cases prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana within the last year:
Defendant
Charge(s)
Sentence
Abdul Hadi, 34, Toronto, Canada
Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime
6.5 years’ imprisonment, 2 years supervised release, $500 fine.
Amru Hasani, 34, Indianapolis
Aiding and Abetting the Making of a False Statement during the Purchase of a Firearm
2.5 years’ imprisonment, 2 years supervised release, $500 fine.
Stephen King, 67, Indianapolis
Dealing Firearms without a License
18 months’ imprisonment, 2 years supervised release.
Ryan White, 21, Indianapolis
Dealing Firearms without a License
18 months’ imprisonment, 2 years supervised release.
Xavier Wilson, 24, Otterbein, IN
Making a False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm
18 months’ imprisonment, 3 years supervised release.
Tashia Overton, 23, Indianapolis
Making a False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm
15 months imprisonment, 2 years supervised release, $250 fine.
Traven Armstrong, 26, Indianapolis
Making a False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm
1 year and 1 day imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, $500 fine.
DeAngelo Carnell, 25, Indianapolis
6 counts of Making a False Statement in Connection with the Acquisition of a Firearm and 1 count of Dealing in Firearms without a Federal License
1 year and 1 day imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, $500 fine.
Ariel Campbell, 28, Bloomington
Making a False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm
10 months’ imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, $250 fine.
Kwamay Armstrong, 31, Indianapolis
Making a False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm
3 months’ imprisonment, 2 years supervised release, $250 fine
Jayte Davis, 24, Indianapolis
Making a False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm
3 months’ imprisonment, 2 years supervised release, $1000 fine.
Jordan Henry, 24, Indianapolis
Making a False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm
3 months’ imprisonment, 3 months supervised release
Sierra
Vasquez, 27, Indianapolis
Making a False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm
11 months served, 3 years supervised release, $500 fine.
Victor Anderson, 26, Indianapolis
Making a False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm
5 days served; 2 years supervised release, $1000 fine.
Stephany Irby, 28. Indianapolis
Making a False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm
4 days served; 2 years supervised release
Erniesha Collins, 23, Indianapolis
Making a False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm
3 days served, 3 years supervised release, $250 fine.
Latasha Davis, 30, Anderson
Making a False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm
3 days served, 3 years supervised release, $100 fine
Charles
Hunter, 24, Indianapolis
Making a False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm;
Making a False Statement with Respect to Information Required to Be Kept by Licensed Firearms Dealers
2 days served; 3 years supervised release.
Destiny Langston, 23, Indianapolis
Making a False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm
3 years’ probation, $500 fine.
Eric Lamar Keys Jr., 25, Indianapolis
Making a False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm
2 years’ probation, $800 fine
Ryanne Godfrey, 40, Indianapolis
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by Person Under Felony Indictment; Making a False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm
2 years’ probation, $250 fine
Edward Wilson, 24, Indianapolis
Making a False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm
2 years’ probation, $250 fine.
Jacob Tomlin, 28, Indianapolis
Making a False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm
2 years’ probation.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated these cases, with valuable assistance provided by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, The Cook County Sheriff’s Department, and the Chicago Police Department
“The tragic loss of a little girl’s life is an unfortunate example of how those who straw purchase firearms can be directly responsible for gun violence plaguing our communities,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “Gun traffickers help arm criminals who should never have had access to deadly weapons in the first place. Our office is committed to working closely with the ATF and local law enforcement agencies to address the sources of crime gun to reduce gun violence—and to hold gun traffickers accountable in federal court.”
“Purchasing firearms for prohibited people is a major source of crime guns around the country and here in Indiana,” stated Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “In all of these cases investigated by the ATF Chicago Trafficking Strike Force, firearms were purchased by straw buyers and ended up in the wrong hands. The hard work of Strike Force with support of the Columbus Field Division and our law enforcement partners represents ATF’s commitment to stop the flow of firearms from legal purchases to illegal commerce.”
U.S. District Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson imposed the sentence on Keys. Judge Stinson also ordered that Keys be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 2 years following his release from federal prison and pay an $800 fine.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Lawrence D. Hilton, Kelsey L. Massa, Jayson W. McGrath, Patrick J. Gibson, Peter A. Blackett, and Abhi Kambli, who prosecuted these cases.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana is pursuing these prosecutions as a part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Chicago Gun Trafficking Strike Force. On July 22, 2021, the Department of Justice launched five cross-jurisdictional strike forces to help reduce gun violence by disrupting illegal firearms trafficking in key regions across the country. These gun trafficking strike forces are designed to ensure coordination across jurisdictions and help stem the supply of illegally trafficked firearms from source cities, through other communities, and into five key market regions: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area/Sacramento Region and Washington, D.C.
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Westfield Child Predator Sentenced to 38 Years in Federal Prison for Seeking Sex with a 14-Year-Old and Trafficking in Child Sex Abuse MaterialsRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Erik Hanson, 31, of Westfield, Indiana, has been sentenced to 38 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of a child, conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child, and transportation of child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, after an online undercover investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation alerted detectives with the Westfield Police Department to evidence that Erik Hanson was using the Kik communications application solicit sex with a 14-year-old girl. In fact, an undercover FBI Special Agent was communicating with Hanson posing as the child and the child’s father. In the conversations, Hanson stated that 14-year-old girls were his “favorite age” for sex, and that it was not a fantasy, but something he intended to act on. Hanson asked the ‘girl” for sexually explicit photos, sent her images of his penis, and attempted to meet with her for sex at a hotel in Tennessee. Hanson asked how soon he could meet with the 14-year-old girl because he wanted her to be “as young as possible.”
Investigators obtained a warrant to search Hanson’s Kik account and located 91 91 photos and videos of child sexual abuse material including the sexual abuse of infants, child bondage, and child bestiality.
On April 22, 2022, Hanson’s Westfield home was searched by HCMCETF and Homeland Security agents, who located multiple electronic iPhones and an iPad Hanson admitted contained child sexual abuse material. During an interview with agents, Hanson admitted to owning two Kik accounts for the purpose of viewing child sexual abuse material, and that he belonged to many online groups that traded these images. Over a period of three months, Hanson used CashApp multiple times to pay another individual a total of $75 to produce child sexual abuse material involving Minor Victim 1, who Hanson believed was the producer’s 11-year-old daughter. Hanson directed the other user to engage in specific sex acts with the child, and distributed some of this material to another individual.
“Child predators wrongly believe that the internet will protect them. This defendant’s actions demonstrate that he is a dangerous pedophile, who must be kept away from our children in person and online,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “The sentence imposed here ensures that the defendant will not be in a position to exploit or abuse any more children for many years. I commend the work of the dedicated investigators at the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the Hamilton County Metropolitan Child Exploitation Task Force, and the Westfield Police Department, to hold this predator accountable and remove him from our community.”
“Today’s sentencing of Hanson sends an important message to all would-be predators: we will not allow this type of crime against children to go unpunished,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Sean Fitzgerald. “HSI, along with our law enforcement partners, is dedicated to the eradication of sexual exploitation and will continue to pursue those who seek gratification from the abuse and pain of the most vulnerable members of society, our children.”
FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Hamilton County Metropolitan Child Exploitation Task Force, and the Westfield Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Chief Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Hanson be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for life following his release from federal prison. Hanson must also pay $30,000 in restitution to his victims.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Sawa, 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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Gun Dealer Employee Sentenced to Federal Prison After Using Employee Discount to Illegally Purchase Firearms for Three MinorsRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Traven Armstrong, 24, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to 1 year and 1 day in federal prison after pleading guilty to making false statements in connection with a firearm purchase.
According to court documents, between September 1, 2020, and March 10, 2021, Traven Armstrong worked as an employee of a federally licensed firearms dealer. During that time, Armstrong purchased numerous handguns for other individuals from businesses in Carmel, Indiana, using his employee discount. On federal firearms purchase documents, Armstrong intentionally misrepresented that he was the actual buyer of the firearms.
When questioned by ATF agents, Armstrong admitted to straw purchasing the firearms for three specific individuals, all under the age of 21. A straw purchase scheme is when a person not prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm falsely states to a federally licensed gun dealer that they are purchasing a firearm for themselves, when they know that the gun is actually intended for someone else, frequently someone who is prohibited from purchasing or possessing the firearm themselves.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division made the announcement.
“Gun traffickers like this defendant fuel violence in our communities by putting deadly weapons in the hands of people who have no business having them,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “Cutting off the supply of illegally transferred guns is critical to making our communities safer. Our office will continue to work with ATF and other law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute straw purchasers and others responsible for criminal gun trafficking.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Chicago Group IV investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, James P. Hanlon. Judge Hanlon also ordered that Armstrong be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison and pay a $500 fine.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence D. Hilton, 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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California Man Charged with Trafficking over 70,000 Fentanyl Pills from Mexico into EvansvilleRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE- A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Javier Moreno-Garibaldi, 37, of Salinas, California, with distribution of fentanyl.
According to court documents, in May of 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration began an investigation into a-Mexico based drug trafficking organization operating in Mexicali, Mexico, trafficking large quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine. During the investigation, law enforcement officers purchased or intercepted thousands of fentanyl pills shipped or transported by the drug traffickers into Southern Indiana and Western Kentucky.
As part of the investigation, undercover law enforcement officers arranged to purchase 100,000 fentanyl pills and 50 pounds of methamphetamine from a supplier based in Mexicali, Mexico. On August 31, 2023, the Mexican supplier told the undercover officer that his drug courier was leaving from Calexico, California, enroute to Evansville with 50,000 fentanyl pills in exchange for $100,000. The next day the supplier stated that the courier would now be delivering 60,000 pills to an Evansville hotel for $120,000 and a $2,500 delivery fee. For the next three days, the Mexican supplier and the undercover officer exchanged messages about the arrival of the courier and how to handle counting the money and the pills. The supplier indicated that the courier would arrive at the Evansville hotel at 10:00 am on September 4, 2023.
At 10:07 a.m., September 4, 2023, the Mexican supplier told the undercover officer that his courier would be driving a gray Honda, and later provided the courier’s cell phone number. At 10:30 a.m., a gray Honda SUV with California plates arrived at the hotel. At 10:31, the undercover officer called the number the supplier provided for the courier and arranged to meet the courier at the hotel. The undercover officer met the gray Honda in the hotel parking lot, and got into the front seat with the driver, later identified as Javier Moreno-Garibaldi. The undercover officer gave Moreno-Garibaldi the $2,500 delivery fee, and Moreno-Garibaldi stated that the pills were in a dog kennel box in the back seat. Moreno-Garibaldi agreed to go with the undercover officer to a safehouse to count the pills and the $120,000 owed for the drugs. Moreno-Garibaldi put the dog kennel box of pills into the undercover officer’s car and was arrested without incident. A search of the box revealed five separate bags containing a large amount of small blue pills marked “M” on one side and “30” on the other, apparent counterfeit “M-30” pills containing fentanyl. The field weight of the seized pills was 15.7 pounds (7.064 kilograms), or approximately 70,000 pills.
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. One kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people. Last year, six out of ten illegal fentanyl tablets seized and analyzed by the DEA contained a potentially lethal dose of the drug.
“Fentanyl is such a deadly drug that just one counterfeit pill can be fatal. Every death, overdose, and addition fueled by these fentanyl pills is devastating to our families, neighbors, and friends,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “We know these drugs are flooding into our communities in astonishing quantities because of the Mexican cartels, aided by overseas chemical suppliers and traffickers and dealers nationwide. These criminals act with utter disregard for human life and must be held accountable. Our office will continue to work with our outstanding partners in DEA, Evansville Police Department, Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force, and Owensboro Police Department to prioritize investigation and prosecution of the members of these criminal enterprises.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Evansville Police Department, Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force, and Owensboro Police Department investigated this case. If convicted, Moreno-Garibaldi faces up to life in federal prison and a fine of up to $10,000,000. 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 Attorney Lauren M. Wheatley, who is prosecuting 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 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.
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.
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Former Crawford County Substitute Teacher Sentenced to Ten Months in Federal Prison for Sending Hoax Bomb Threats to Two Indiana Schools and A NewspaperRead the Press Release
NEW ALBANY- Mary Fortner, 35, of Milltown, Indiana, has been sentenced to ten months in federal prison after pleading guilty to two-counts of making hoax bomb threats.
According to court documents, on January 19, 2023, Mary Fortner sent a bomb threat to a Milltown, Indiana, police officer using an anonymous messaging application. The threat targeted a Crawford County school, where she was employed as a substitute teacher at the time.
That same day, FBI agents and Crawford County Sheriff’s Deputies interviewed Fortner at her residence and executed a search warrant, recovering her cell phone and other devices. During multiple interviews with law enforcement officials, Mary Fortner denied any knowledge of the bomb threat.
On February 21, 2023, Fortner sent an email to the Corydon Democrat, a local news outlet in Corydon, Indiana, again threatening to bomb a list of several addresses, including Milltown Elementary School in Milltown, Indiana and the Corydon Cinemas.
Later that evening, the HCSD executed a search warrant at the Fortner’s residence and took her into custody. The FBI determined that the threat came from a mobile device that had been factory reset in attempt to conceal the crime.
“This series of bomb threats shook the sense of safety that all of our children, teachers, and families deserve—and are especially egregious coming from an adult trusted to educate our children,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “These hoax threats needlessly caused an urgent and expansive law enforcement response. I commend the FBI, Harrison and Crawford County Sheriff’s Departments, and the Milltown Police Department for working together to quickly identify the perpetrator. The federal prison sentence imposed here demonstrates that threats of violence and terror are serious crimes that will not be tolerated in our communities.”
“The Crawford County Sheriff’s Department would like to thank all the departments involved in resolving this case.,” said Crawford County Sheriff, Jeff Howell. “School safety should be a high priority for all agencies. Our nation’s youth is our greatest treasure. A special thanks to the Assistant U.S. Attorneys and federal agencies for their work ensuring that justice was served.”
The FBI, Crawford and Harrison County Sheriffs’ Offices, and Milltown Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Sarah Evans Barker. Judge Barker also ordered that Fortner be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for three years following her release from federal prison, the first two months to be served on home detention.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Rinka and Kathryn Olivier, who prosecuted this case.
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Straw Purchaser Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison for Illegally Purchasing 12 Firearms, One Landing in the Hands of a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Xavier Wilson, 24, of Otterbein, Indiana, has been sentenced to a year and a half in prison for making a false statement in connection with the purchase of a firearm.
According to court documents, in February of 2021, ATF agents received a report from the Lafayette Police Department regarding a possible straw purchaser. A straw purchase scheme is when a person not prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm falsely states to a federally licensed gun dealer that they are purchasing a firearm for themselves, when they know that the gun is actually intended for someone else, frequently someone who is prohibited from purchasing or possessing the firearm themselves.
The individual, later identified as Xavier Wilson, purchased twelve guns from federally licensed firearms dealers in Marion and Boone Counties within one month. On federal firearms purchase forms, Wilson indicated that he was the actual buyer of the guns and provided an out-of-date address, where he had not lived for two years.
On March 31, 2021, one of the firearms Wilson purchased, a Glock 45 handgun, was recovered by law enforcement officers in Chicago, Illinois, in the hands of a convicted felon. Wilson had purchased that firearm just seven days earlier.
On April 14, 2021, ATF agents interviewed Wilson at his actual residence in Lafayette. Wilson admitted that he bought the firearms with the intent to resell them quickly on Discord and Armslist.com to make a profit. Wilson also admitted to providing a false address on ATF form 4473.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division made the announcement.
“Illegal gun traffickers flood our streets with firearms and drive the violence plaguing too many of our neighborhoods, and saving lives requires us to stop the flow of crime guns at their source,” said U.S. Attorney Myers. “This defendant repeatedly lied to obtain firearms and profited by putting them into the hands of people prohibited from legally purchasing them. Now he will pay for his crimes in federal prison. This prosecution demonstrates that our office will work tirelessly with the ATF to identify illegal gun traffickers and hold them accountable.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, James P. Hanlon. Judge Hanlon also ordered that Wilson be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Kelsey L. Massa, who prosecuted this case.
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Trafficker of 3D-Printed “Glock Switches” and “Auto-Sears” Sentenced to over Seven Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Micah Moore, 31, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of a machine gun.
According to court documents, on July 18, 2022, investigators with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department executed a search warrant at Micah Moore’s residence in Indianapolis. In the dining room area, police recovered two machinegun conversion devices, also known as “Glock Switches.” Police also recovered three black auto-sears that were created to function as machinegun conversion devices if installed on a semiautomatic rifle.
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 to possess or sell in almost all cases.
In a recorded interview with investigators, Moore stated that that he was making and selling switches and auto sears using a 3D printer. Moore also stated that he was reselling firearms that he bought from people off the street. Court documents and evidence presented at sentencing further showed that, in addition to manufacturing machinegun conversion devices and selling firearms, Moore was also manufacturing counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl.
“Criminals who put illegal machineguns onto our streets add fuel to the fire of gun violence already devastating far too many of our families,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Possession and sale of these extremely dangerous devices is a serious crime which can result in years in federal prison. Our office will continue to work with the ATF, IMPD, and all our partners in law enforcement to get illegal machineguns out of our communities and hold gun traffickers accountable.”
“The proliferation of machine gun conversion devices adds another, even more deadly, layer to the firearms violence in our community,” stated Daryl McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “These devices, because they fire more quickly and are more difficult to control, greatly increase the danger to innocent bystanders and law enforcement. ATF will continue to work with our partners to take these devices off the streets.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge, Sarah Evans Barker. Judge Barker also ordered that Moore be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison and pay a $750 fine.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Kelsey L. Massa, 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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Federal Jury Finds Evansville Man Guilty of Dealing Heroin and Fentanyl Resulting in the Overdose of a 28-Year-Old Kentucky WomanRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE- A federal jury has found Johntavis Matlock, 31, of Evansville, Indiana, guilty of distribution of heroin and fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury. The jury found Matlock not guilty of distribution of heroin and fentanyl resulting in death.
According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, on December 11, 2020, Kentucky law enforcement officers responded to the overdose of 28-year-old, Lindsey Wiley in her Kentucky residence.
On February 28, 2021, EMS and local law enforcement responded to another overdose at the same residence. This time, they found Wiley deceased. The cause of death was determined to be an overdose caused by fentanyl intoxication.
An examination of Wiley’s cell phone revealed that Wiley frequently purchased controlled substances from the defendant, Johntavis Matlock. From June of 2020 through February of 2021, Matlock coordinated with Wiley to sell her both heroin and fentanyl out of his home in Evansville, Indiana.
On the day of Wiley’s first overdose, at 7:05pm, Wiley texted Matlock that she was at Matlock’s residence to pick up drugs. At 10:27pm, Wiley texted “I overdosed and died, had an ambulance called and everything, be careful with that s**t,” to which Matlock responded “Damn please don’t over do it. I don’t wanna have that on my conscience. I’ve lost to many people to this stuff. Wtf were you thinking.” Following the first overdose on December 11, Matlock continued supplying Wiley with substances.
“The tragic death in this case highlights the tremendous danger posed by trafficking of fentanyl and other opioids. The defendant continued to seek profits pushing these poisons with utter disregard for human life—even after Ms. Wiley had already overdosed once,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “Substance use disorder is a devastating disease that international drug cartels and local dealers greedily exploit. Thanks to the hard work of our prosecutors, the DEA, EPD, ISP, and local Sheriff’s Offices, no more families will lose a loved one because of this defendant while he is serving his sentence in federal prison.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Indiana State Police, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, Evansville Police Department, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force investigated this case. U.S. District Court Judge, Matthew P. Brookman presided over the trial and will sentence Matlock at a later date. Matlock faces 20 years to life in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Kristian Mukoski and Todd S. Shellenbarger, 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. One kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people. 6 out of 10 illegal fentanyl tablets sold on U.S. streets now 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 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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Four Sentenced to Total of over 42 Years in Prison for 24 Hour String of Armed Robberies in IndianapolisRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Crystal Daniels, Detavion Daniels, Brandon Brinson, and Aaron Collier have all be sentenced for their roles in a series of armed robberies that took place in Indianapolis.
Crystal Daniels, 23, was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to three counts of interference with commerce by robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. She was also ordered to pay $1,420 in restitution.
Detavion Daniels, 22, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to three counts of interference with commerce by robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He was also ordered to pay $1,420 in restitution.
Brandon Brinson, 25, was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to interference with commerce by robbery and was ordered to pay a $500 fine.
Aaron Collier, 21, was sentenced to 135 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and was ordered to pay $1,420 in restitution.
According to court documents, on April 21, 2021, at approximately 3:45pm Collier, C. Daniels, and D. Daniels entered the Cricket Wireless on Arlington Avenue in Indianapolis, wearing face masks, ball caps, and carrying backpacks. C. Daniels pretended to shop while D. Daniels distracted a female employee at the service counter. Collier entered the store last, walked directly to the female employee and held her at gun point while demanding her to open the register. The trio was unsuccessful in their attempt to rob the store and quickly fled in a Chevy Suburban.
Just 15 minutes after the attempted robbery at Cricket Wireless, the trio drove 4 miles north to a Dollar General, located on N. Shadeland Avenue, to commit another robbery. At approximately 4:00pm, the three robbers entered the store, Collier brandished a black semiautomatic pistol, jumped over the counter, and forced a female employee on her knees while he held her at gunpoint, demanding her to open the registers and the safe. The other two robbers took an employee to the safe behind the counter and demanded her to open it. Once she did, C. Daniels took the money and dumped it into a yellow Dollar General bag. Additionally, D. Daniels approached a male customer standing in line and robbed him of $40 cash and GMC car keys.
Later that same day, IMPD detectives and FBI agents located the getaway Suburban parked in the parking lot of the Liquor Cabinet. The trio robbed a nearby Family Dollar, using the same process as before, and leaving in the getaway vehicle. IMPD officers conducted a traffic stop on the van and searched it. Located inside the vehicle were four suspects: getaway driver, Brandon Brinson, and all three robbers. Officers also located the following items:
- a 10mm semi-automatic handgun.
- Black handgun magazine containing 15 live rounds of 10mm ammunition.
- 6 packs of Newport cigarettes taken from the Family Dollar.
- Collier’s face mask.
- 4 Swisher Sweet cigar packs taken from the Family Dollar.
- Blue PPU box of 10mm ammunition containing 5 live rounds.
- $187 in loose cash
Officers placed all four individuals under arrest and located the following cash amounts on each person:
- Brinson – $521 in cash and a black ski mask.
- Collier – $753 in cash
- C. Daniels – $497 in cash
- D. Daniels - $25 in cash
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers and Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office made the announcement.
“Every person deserves to feel safe where they live and work. These defendants terrorized and violently robbed innocent employees and customers,’ said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana Zachary A. Myers. “Their violent, senseless crimes have no place in our communities, and we are safer with these individuals behind federal prison bars. I am grateful to the FBI and IMPD for ensuring that they are held accountable for their actions.”
The FBI and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge, Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that the defendants be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office following their release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence D. Hilton, 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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Suspended Indianapolis Police Sergeant Sentenced to 1 Year in Federal Prison for Using Excessive Force During ArrestRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Suspended Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant, Eric Huxley, 44, has been sentenced to 1 year and 1 day in federal prison after pleading guilty to violating the civil rights of an arrestee by using excessive force.
According to court documents, on Sept. 24, 2021, Huxley, was on patrol in downtown Indianapolis when another officer requested his assistance in confronting a disorderly person on Monument Circle. After officers placed the victim, identified as J.V., under arrest for disorderly conduct, Huxley assisted other officers with conducting an inventory of J.V.’s property.
When officers began to remove J.V.’s belt, he became confrontational with the officers. The primary arresting officer used a department-approved takedown maneuver to bring J.V., who had already been handcuffed, to the ground. The arresting officer held J.V. down with one hand while a second officer restrained his legs. This reasonable and appropriate use of force effectively overcame J.V.’s resistance and rendered him physically unable to move.
Despite knowing that J.V. had been effectively restrained and posed no further danger to officers or the public, Huxley then intentionally raised his right foot and drove it down onto J.V.’s head and face.
“This sentence holds a former police officer accountable for abusing his authority when he violently assaulted a homeless man who posed no threat,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting law enforcement officials who violate federal civil rights laws.”
“In addition to the trauma inflicted on victims, police officers who break the law and use excessive force damage the community’s trust in the law enforcement profession,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana. “Officers put themselves at risk every day doing a difficult and sometimes dangerous job to uphold the law and protect their communities. Those who instead commit crimes must be identified and prosecuted. This sentence demonstrates that the FBI, Department of Justice, and our U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to seeking accountability for those who violate people’s civil rights under the color of law.”
“Every day, law enforcement officers in this country face dangerous situations which require the application of reasonable force to protect themselves and others. Unfortunately, some officers fail to adhere to the applicable standards of law and policy, inflicting harm instead of preventing it,” said Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton of the FBI Indianapolis Field Office. “This sentence reflects the FBI’s commitment to protecting the civil rights of all citizens, and I commend the work of the Special Agents and prosecutors who helped ensure the defendant was held accountable for his illegal conduct.”
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers and Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Indianapolis Field Office investigated the case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson. Judge Stinson ordered that Huxley be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 2 years following his release from federal prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Preston for the Southern District of Indiana and Trial Attorney Alec Ward of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
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21 Charged in Federal Indictment Following Takedown of Armed International Drug Trafficking and Dog Fighting Rings in Central IndianaRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Twenty-one individuals were charged in a federal indictment alleging trafficking of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine; money laundering; illegally possessing firearms; and dog fighting. The charges follow an extensive law enforcement operation in which 18 of the 21 individuals were arrested and federal agents seized over 40 firearms; quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine; over $55,000 in cash; and approximately 90 dogs. The following lists the individuals indicted and the charges they face:
Defendant
Charge(s)
TYRONE BELL, 52
Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
DAVID BENNETT, 40
Conspiracy to Traffic
Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
EDWARD BRONAUGH, 57
Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture
JAMES CROONS, 34
Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture
RAMIRO RICO DE LEON, 31, Mexico
Conspiracy to Traffic
Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine; and Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering
ERICK FOSTER, 33
Conspiracy to Traffic
Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
GREGORY EASTER, 35
Conspiracy to Traffic
Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
LAUREN EGGERT, 32
Conspiracy to Traffic
Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
MAURICE ERVIN, 44
Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture
DONTORIA GILBERT, 36
Conspiracy to Traffic
Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
GREGORY HENDERSON, JR., 43
Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine; Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering; and Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture
MARVIN JOHNSON, JR., 46
Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture
LANDON JONES, 39
Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture
CHRISTOPHER NORFOLK, 48
Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture
CHARLES RICHARDSON, III, 43
Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
MICHAEL SANDERS, 45
Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture.
J.C. SMITH, 38
Conspiracy to Traffic
Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
QUOSHAWN STEWART, 34
Conspiracy to Traffic
Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
GEORGE TAYLOR, 44
Conspiracy to Traffic
Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
DONOVAN TIPLER, 30
Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture
OCTAVIO VICENCIO, 32
Conspiracy to Traffic
Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
This was a multiagency operation, involving over 300 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, who executed arrest and search warrants at 25 locations in Central Indiana on the morning of August 31, 2023. Eighteen individuals were arrested and are in federal custody. Two remain fugitives: Gregory Henderson, and Jr. Maurice Ervin
In particular, law enforcement has asked the public for assistance in locating fugitive Gregory Henderson Jr. The FBI is providing a $5,000 reward for information leading to Henderson’s arrest. Those with information are asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or they can submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov.
According to court documents, Gregory Henderson Jr. and Ramiro Rico De Leon worked together to smuggle fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine into the United States from Mexico. Henderson served as the main source of supply to lower-level dealers, Vicencio, Foster, Taylor, Smith, Gilbert, Bennet, Easter, Eggert, and Stewart, who dealt the drugs to buyers in Indianapolis and surrounding communities. Vicencio and Taylor were responsible for driving controlled substances from Kentucky to Indiana. Henderson and De Leon used wire transfers to pay for the costs of drug distribution and Henderson paid his dealers using CashApp.
During the course of this investigation, law enforcement agents uncovered a significant dog fighting and illegal gambling ring based in Indianapolis. Gregory Henderson Jr., Christopher Norfolk, Maurice Ervin, Michael Sanders, James Croons, Charles Richardson III, Landon Jones, Edward Bronaugh, Donovan Tipler, and Marvin Johnson Jr. were identified as dog owners who maintained dogs for the purpose of fighting. Maurice Ervin also participated as a referee, weighing the dogs and holding the money until fights were complete. Ervin, Tipler, and Croons served as handlers, responsible for motivating the dogs to fight. Jones and Norfolk served as sponsors, providing a space for the fights to be held.
Members of this group have a long history of dog fighting. In 2001, IMPD officers found seven pit bulls in need of medical attention due to lack of food and water and fresh wounds consistent with dog fighting located at Michael Sanders’ Indianapolis home. In 2005, Christopher Norfolk was convicted for torturing an animal after officers seized four dogs from his home. On more than four occasions, officers found Richardson III and Ervin engaging in dog fighting activities. Both Richardson III and Ervin have sustained multiple convictions for animal torture and promoting dog fighting.
This investigation began in 2022, and in 2023 multiple search warrants were executed and the following evidence was seized:
- 537 grams of methamphetamine
- 459 grams of heroin
- 667.3 grams of cocaine
- 532.8 grams of fentanyl
- Over 230 grams of marijuana
- 16 scales
- 43 firearms
- Over $55,650.00 in cash
- Approximately 90 dogs (including puppies)
- Dog fighting training paraphernalia including treadmills, bite sticks and weights.
If convicted, each defendant charged with conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture faces up to 5 years in federal prison. Each defendant charged with conspiracy to traffic controlled substances faces up to life. The following investigative agencies collaborated to make this investigation and the recent warrant execution possible:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation- Indianapolis
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigation
- Indiana Gaming Commission
- Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle P. Brady and Adam J. Eakman, 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.
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Brothers Sentenced to a Combined 15 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Desmond Breedlove, 34, and DaJaun Breedlove, 23, of Indianapolis, Indiana, have both been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
DaJuan Breedlove was sentenced on September 1, 2023, to over 6 years in federal prison. Desmond Breedlove was sentenced in August to a total of 7 years in federal prison for the current heroin trafficking and firearms charges and an additional 2 years for violating the terms of his federal supervised release. At the time he committed the current crimes, Desmond Breedlove was serving 3 years of federal supervised release. Desmond Breedlove was released from federal prison on April 23, 2019, after serving 30 months in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, on May 29, 2021, IMPD officers were patrolling the area of E. 38th Street near the Conoco gas station on the east side of Indianapolis when two individuals, later identified as Desmond Breedlove and DaJaun Breedlove, were seen conducting a drug deal. Officers also saw handguns protruding out of each man’s pants pockets. After the deal concluded, IMPD officers stopped the men after observing their vehicle commit a traffic violation.
Desmond Breedlove was the driver, and admitted to officers that he did not have a valid driver’s license. DaJuan Breedlove was in the front passenger seat. During a lawful search of the vehicle, officers located two 9-millimeter handguns in the glovebox, three additional magazines loaded with 9-millimeter ammunition, a .380 caliber magazine and a 30-round extended magazine, as well as two small baggies containing 21.27 grams of heroin and a digital scale.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myerys, Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division, and Randal Taylor, Chief of Police for IMPD made the announcement.
“Our families continue to suffer far too many tragedies stemming from substance abuse and gun violence. Everyone deserves a neighborhood that is safe and free from armed drug dealers like these defendants,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “I commend the IMPD, ATF, and our federal prosecutors for their work to make us safer with these prosecutions. The serious federal prison sentences imposed here show that those who deal deadly drugs armed with deadly weapons will be held accountable for the damage they do to our communities.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and IMPD investigated this case. The sentences were imposed by Chief United States District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. Chief Judge Pratt also ordered that both men be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for three years following their release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Jeremy C. Fugate and Peter A. Blackett, 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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Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Dealing Drugs While on Bond for State Dealing ChargesRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Jimmie Ray Harris, 42, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
According to court documents, on September 8, 2021, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents arrested Jimmie Ray Harris after he led IMPD officers on a vehicle pursuit. During the chase, Harris threw 907.18 grams of cocaine, 28 grams of methamphetamine and 28 grams of heroin from his vehicle. Harris also had $22,147.50 in cash on his person and in his vehicle at time of arrest. He was charged in Marion County, Indiana with three felonies for dealing in cocaine, methamphetamine, and a narcotic drug, and was placed in custody at the Marion County Jail.
The next day, Harris made an outgoing phone call from jail to another person asking about the drugs and money remaining in his home and discussing efforts to “clean up” the house. Harris asked about customers coming to the house to pay drug debts, and directed the other person to keep track of who owes him money for drugs. Harris told the other person not to worry about the police searching the residence because he gave them the wrong address.
On September 10, 2021, Harris posted an $80,000-surety bond and was released from jail. On September 13, 2021, officers obtained a search warrant for the home Harris referenced on the jail call. During a search of the residence, officers located a total of nearly 5 pounds of methamphetamine hidden throughout the house, including on top of the dryer in the laundry room, in a desk drawer, in a DeWalt floor vacuum and a DeWalt bag, in a bedroom closet, and inside of a purse. The search also uncovered a glass meth pipe with burn marks, a loaded 9mm magazine, and $13,909 in cash. A young child was living with Harris in the home at the time of the search. Harris admitted he possessed the methamphetamine in his home with the intent to distribute it to others.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office, Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Indianapolis Field Office, and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Randal Taylor made the announcement.
“This defendant was determined to keep making money pushing poison into our neighborhoods even while he was in jail for dealing drugs,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “The serious federal prison sentence imposed here demonstrates that there are serious consequences for fueling the devastation that deadly drugs cause in our communities.”
The FBI, IMPD, DEA, and Indiana Crime Guns Task Force investigated the case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Matthew P. Brookman. Judge Brookman also ordered that Harris be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Peter A. Blackett, who prosecuted this case.
This case was brought as part of the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force (ICGTF). ICGTF is a partnership of law enforcement officers and analysts from several central Indiana law enforcement agencies in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan, Johnson, and Shelby counties. In cooperation with state, local, and federal partners, ICGTF collaborates to address violent crime through a comprehensive strategy including innovative approaches to locating suspects and evidence related to violent crimes and illegal possession of firearms.
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Armed Speedway Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Charles Marshall, 45, of Speedway, Indiana, has been sentenced to 5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to court documents, on August 11, 2022, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration executed federal search warrants at Marshall’s Speedway apartment as a part of an investigation into his drug trafficking activities. In the home, agents located approximately 57.6 grams of fentanyl, a loaded .44 caliber revolver under the bed, a digital scale with drug residue in the bedroom closet, and a blender with drug residue under the kitchen sink. Agents also located 24.9 grams of fentanyl in the headliner of the Chevrolet Equinox Marshall drove just prior to execution of the warrants.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Indianapolis Field Office, and IMPD Chief Randal Taylor made the announcement.
“Fentanyl dealers value their profits far more than the lives of our families and neighbors,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “We must fight to save lives by investigating and prosecuting criminals who exploit the epidemic of substance use disorder to satisfy their own greed. Our office, the DEA, and IMPD are committed to holding fentanyl traffickers accountable for pushing deadly poison on our streets.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigated. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Marshall be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 4 years following his release from federal prison and pay a $500 fine.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Corbin Houston and Patrick Gibson, 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. One kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people. 6 out of 10 illegal fentanyl tablets sold on U.S. streets now 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 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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New Jersey Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison After Grooming Minor Online and Transporting Her Across State Lines via Uber for SexRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Arnold Castillo, 23, of Paterson, New Jersey, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity and Coercion and Enticement of a Minor.
According to court documents, from January to May 2022, Castillo used a false identity, “Jacob Shedletsky,” to communicate with and groom a 15-year-old girl via social media and gaming applications such as Instagram, Roblox, and Discord.
Castillo engaged in grooming behaviors such as buying the girl’s anime artwork using CashApp and purchasing other high-value items on Amazon such as an Artist’s Glove for Drawing Tablet, a Max Smart Tablet Drawing Stand, and a Wacom Mobile Studio Pro 13 Windows 10 computer to be delivered to her parents’ home in Indiana.
Castillo intentionally led the girl to believe that he had the ability to connect her to employment opportunities in the online gaming industry and used this leverage to engage in sexually explicit conversations with her. Castillo coerced and persuaded the girl into believing they were in love and that her family was her enemy.
During these conversations, Castillo discussed his plans to arrange for the girl to travel from Indiana to New Jersey so they could be together and engage in sexual activity. Castillo used the Uber application to find and hire a driver in New Jersey to transport the girl the 700 miles to his residence. Castillo paid the driver $500 through CashApp before they left New Jersey, and another $500 in cash when they returned with the victim.
When the girl arrived at Castillo’s New Jersey residence, Castillo sexually abused her on multiple occasions and used Uber to have others purchase or attempt to purchase the “Plan B” pill to prevent the child from becoming pregnant.
For days, Castillo kept the girl in New Jersey and continued to abuse her, knowing that her family and law enforcement were desperately searching for her. In a recorded phone interview on May 5, 2022, Castillo lied to law enforcement officers, stating that he had no idea where she was and that she must have run away.
On May 11, 2022, eight days after the girl was reported missing, FBI agents recovered her from Castillo as the two were walking in front of his residence. At the time of his arrest, Castillo had several unopened condoms in his pocket. Castillo admitted to law enforcement agents that he kept the victim in his care, custody, and control in a small room and controlled her movements in and out of the room. He also controlled her access to food and basic necessities, knowing that she had no financial resources or ability to travel back to Indiana.
“No parent should have to endure eight torturous days not knowing if their child is alive or dead, only to learn that a stranger used social media and other online tools to groom their child and spirit them across the country,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “This defendant is a stone-cold, manipulative, child predator who used the tools of social media and gaming to abuse a vulnerable child and then obstructed the efforts of law enforcement officers to secure her safe return home. I commend the outstanding work of local law enforcement agencies along with the FBI’s Indianapolis and Newark Field Offices for working around the clock for eight days to bring the victim home safely. Thanks to the outstanding work of these law enforcement officers and our federal prosecutor, this dangerous predator will be unable to harm another child.”
“This was a horrible nightmare for both the child lured away from home under false pretenses and the family who was left to worry about where she was, if she was safe, and if they would ever see her again,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI and our partners will always do everything in our power to safely recover a child and reunite them with their loved ones.”
The FBI Indianapolis and FBI in Paterson, New Jersey investigated this case along with local law enforcement. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Matthew P. Brookman. Judge Brookman also ordered that Castillo be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 20 years following his release from federal prison and pay $10,000 in restitution to the victim.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States 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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc
If you are a victim of child sexual exploitation, please contact your local police department. Resources for victims of child exploitation can be found on our website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/project-safe-childhood
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Convicted Sex Offender and Domestic Abuser Sentenced to over 5 Years in Federal Prison After Being Caught with FirearmRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Shaylor Goer, 47, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to 5 years and 3 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm.
According to court documents, on March 31, 2022, IMPD officers were dispatched to Dearborn Street in Indianapolis, Indiana at 6 a.m. to investigate complaints of a suspicious individual. Upon arrival, officers saw Goer and requested that he stop. Goer did not comply, and instead ran down an alley, leading officers on a brief foot chase. Goer was eventually stopped and arrested. During a search of Goer’s person, officers found an empty gun holster on his hip. Officers searched the surrounding area and found a Kimber .45 caliber semiautomatic firearm on top of a trash can, belonging to Goer.
Goer is prohibited by federal law from ever possessing a firearm due to his fourteen previous felony convictions including two counts of failure to register as a sex or violent offender, two counts of domestic battery, aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a minor between the age of 13-17, manufacture/distribution of a look-alike substance, unlawful possession of a syringe, possession of cocaine, and burglary.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division, and IMPD Chief Randal Taylor made the announcement.
“Individuals with a history of violence and criminal activity should never be able to get their hands on a firearm,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “Under the L.E.A.T.H initiative, it is a priority of our office, IMPD, and ATF to weed out those who pose the highest risk to those closest to them and the community as a whole. Holding dangerous, repeat offenders accountable for illegally possessing firearms is a critical part of this initiative.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, James R. Sweeney. Judge Sweeney also ordered that Goer be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy C. Fugate, who prosecuted this case.
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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Three Kokomo Men Sentenced to Federal Prison After Heist of over $200,000 from Armored Truck Aided by Inside ManRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Keith Martin, 43, Edwin Sims, 31, and James Alexander, 36, of Kokomo, Indiana, have all been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to a coordinated bank theft of $204,918. Edwin Sims also pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
According to court documents, on November 16, 2021, at approximately 2: l7pm, officers with the Kokomo Police Department (KPD) responded to a bank near West Jefferson Street after the armed robbery of a Garda armored truck. Upon arrival, officers spoke to the driver of the armored truck, Keith Martin, who stated that while an employee went into the bank to service the ATM, an armed robber, later determined to be Edwin Sims, entered the back of the Garda truck. Sims approached Martin and took his firearm and cell phone, then stole $204,918 in cash from the armored truck. Sims fled the scene in a red Cadillac driven by co-conspirator, James Alexander.
While investigating the robbery, officers received additional video from inside the armored truck for the entire day of November 16th. At two different stops prior to the robbery, Martin can be seen on his phone, as the same red Cadillac drives past the armored truck.
When Sims entered the truck, Martin immediately leaned to the left, making it simple to remove his firearm. Martin handed his cell phone and firearm to Sims, without any coercion. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the cell phone records of Martin and discovered that Martin had made several calls with James Alexander prior to the robbery.
On November 30, 2021, FBI agents arrested Alexander on an outstanding warrant for Criminal Recklessness. During an interview with investigators, Alexander stated that after the bank theft, the trio met at a Motel 6 to split the money and give Martin his cell phone back.
On December 1, 2021, Martin was arrested while driving a GMC Yukon. FBI agents recovered $32,278 in a shoebox and a Glock 19 inside the vehicle. An additional search of the red Cadillac used in the getaway was also conducted, uncovering $35,387 inside a backpack.
On December 8, 2021, officers attempted to arrest Sims in Indianapolis. Sims fled but was taken into custody at East l6th Street and Campbell Avenue. Officers located 17.9 grams of cocaine base and 52 grams of cocaine individually bagged for sale next to Sims at the time of his arrest.
Keith Martin was sentenced in July 2023 to seven months in federal prison. Edwin Sims was sentenced in March 2023 to 12.5 years’ imprisonment. James Alexander was sentenced in August 2023 to 27 months’ imprisonment. The three defendants were each ordered to pay $135,792.85 in restitution.
“This brazen conspiracy was quickly unraveled by the outstanding investigative efforts of the FBI, Kokomo Police, and DEA,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers. “Federal prosecutors and law enforcement agencies will continue to prioritize working with our local partners to address violent crime in our communities. The convictions and sentences in this case demonstrate that that these serious crimes carry serious consequences.”
“The FBI is committed to investigating violent crime and pursuing those who commit these offenses which this sentence clearly demonstrates,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The rapid response and outstanding investigative work by the FBI, the Kokomo Police Department, and the DEA ensured these three defendants are behind bars where they belong.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigations, Kokomo Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, James R. Sweeney. Judge Sweeney also ordered that Martin, Sims, and Alexander be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office following their release from federal prison for 2, 3, 3, years respectively.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Peter A. Blackett, who prosecuted this case.
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Evansville Man Sentenced to 21 Years in Federal Prison After Recording Himself Sexually Abusing a 4-Year-OldRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE- Michael Hines, 39, of Evansville, Indiana, has been sentenced to 21 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to production and attempted production of child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, on May 17, 2017, Michael Hines used his smart phone to record videos of himself engaging in sexual acts with Minor Female A. At the time of the offense, the Minor Victim was 4 years old.
“The sexual abuse of a toddler is as heinous a crime as a person can commit,” said United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “The public and the victim are safer today because this defendant will spend many years in federal prison. I commend the work of the FBI, the Evansville Police Department, and our federal prosecutor to ensure that this dangerous pedophile is held accountable for his actions.”
“This sentence ensures the defendant can no longer prey on innocent children and our community will be a much safer place without him on the streets,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “We are committed to working alongside valued partners like the Evansville Police Department to protect our children from predators such as this.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Evansville Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Richard L. Young. Judge Young ordered that Hines be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years following his release from federal prison. Additionally, Hines must register as a sex offender wherever he lives, works, and goes to school.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Lauren M. Wheatley, 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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc
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Posey County Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE- Gabrial Isaac Appel, 28, of Cynthiana, Indiana, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Gabrial Appel trafficked methamphetamine in the southwest Indiana area from November 2019 through 2020. On October 20, 2020, Appel orchestrated the shipment of over 1.4 pounds of crystal methamphetamine from California to his parents’ house in Cynthiana, Indiana. Law enforcement officers intercepted the methamphetamine before delivering the package to the home. Appel’s mother received the package and informed officers that she was getting it for her son, who sent him text messages inquiring about the delivery. Appel also tracked the status of the package using his cellular phone.
The investigation revealed that Appel had shipped multiple packages containing methamphetamine to the same residence over the past year.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers and Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Indianapolis Field Office made the announcement.
“Drug traffickers like this defendant seek to make easy money by bringing poisons from across the country to harm all of our communities, including smaller towns right here in southwest Indiana,” said U.S. Attorney, Zachary A. Myers. “Methamphetamine and other deadly drugs have devastating impacts on the lives of families in every community. I am grateful for the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration and our federal prosecutor to disrupt this drug trafficker and hold him accountable.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Richard L. Young. Judge Young also ordered that Appel be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Lauren M. Wheatley, who prosecuted this case.
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Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Evelio Santana, 40, of Indianapolis, Indiana has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, on November 15, 2021, investigators with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Indiana State Police, and the FBI, were conducting surveillance on Evelio Santana who had six outstanding warrants for his arrest. Investigators watched Santana pull into the parking lot of a gas station on 38th street in a Polaris UTV. This Polaris UTV was later discovered to have been stolen in Marion County, Indiana.
IMPD officers approached Santana and attempted to place him in custody. As the officers made their presence known, Santana took off running. Eventually, officers arrested him after he fell during the foot pursuit. During a search of Santana’s person, a loaded, semi-automatic handgun fell out of his waistband.
That same day, investigators searched a stolen motorhome which had been in Santana’s possession and recovered a Sig Sauer M400 rifle. The defendant admitted to knowingly possessing both firearms.
Santana is prohibited from ever lawfully possessing a firearm due to his previous felony convictions of two counts of robbery, burglary, auto theft, and multiple thefts.
“Deadly weapons in the hands of violent criminals fuel the shootings and deaths that have devastating impacts on our families,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “I commend the FBI, ISP, and IMPD for their efforts to make our communities safer and hold illegally armed criminals accountable. This sentence should send a message to everyone returning to the community after a conviction for a violent felony. We want you to be successful, contributing, and law-abiding. If you choose to pick up a gun instead, you face a serious term in federal prison.”
“The message sent by this sentence is clear—if you have a prior conviction that makes possessing a firearm illegal and you choose to ignore that prohibition, you will face significant prison time,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “In partnership with other federal, state, and local law enforcement, the FBI will continue to work diligently to protect our communities from those who have no regard for the law.”
“The Indiana State Police will continue to work with its law enforcement partners at all levels to help keep firearms out of the hands of those who are not legally allowed to possess them, and to hold them accountable for their unlawful actions,” said Captain Ron Galaviz of the Indiana State Police.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, IMPD and Indiana State Police investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Matthew P. Brookman. Judge Brookman also ordered that Santana be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States 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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All 20 Members of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization Sentenced to a Total of More Than 265 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS –Richard A. Wells, a/k/a Council, 30, of Indianapolis, Indiana has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Wells was the final of 20 defendants to be sentenced in this conspiracy.
According to court documents, Wells was a member of a methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking organization that operated in the Indianapolis area from February 2019 through July 14, 2021. The organization was led by Jason Betts, a resident of Indianapolis, who coordinated the receipt of methamphetamine and fentanyl from Los Angeles, California and organized the distribution of the controlled substances in Indianapolis. Betts was previously sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment by Judge Hanlon following his guilty plea.
In February of 2023, Rick P. Coley, 36, of Indianapolis, and David K. Duggar, 40, of Greenwood, were convicted of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon following a two-week jury trial. Both Coley and Duggar served as upper-level drug distributors for Betts. Judge Hanlon sentenced Coley to 30 years’ imprisonment and Duggar to 23 years.
The investigation resulted in the indictment and conviction of twenty total defendants for their roles in the organization’s drug trafficking activity. The organization distributed approximately 350 pounds of methamphetamine and 15 kilograms of fentanyl during its operation.
Other sentences include the following:
Defendant
Charge
Sentence
Jennifer J. Black, 41, Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
21 years’ imprisonment
Aleshalia Boss, 43, Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and Distribution of Fentanyl
22 years’ imprisonment
Brittany Cocco, 33, Indianapolis
Unlawful use of a cell phone
Time Served
Kenneth K. Fielder, 28, Bloomfield
Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
4.5 years’ imprisonment
Stephen Grider, a/k/a Compton, 42, Los Angeles, California
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
14 years’ imprisonment
Donta L. Hampton, 36, Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
18 years’ imprisonment
Justin Helms, age, Spencer, Indiana
Conspiracy to distribute controlled
4.5 years’ imprisonment
Colin Johnson, 30, Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
5 years’ imprisonment
Brian McGee, 44, Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
10 years’ imprisonment.
William K. Mosier, 43, Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
10 years’ imprisonment.
Christina Pennington, 26, Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
1.5 years’ imprisonment
Mar-Kel Sampson, 31, Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
2 years’ imprisonment
Marco Uribe, 43, Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
10 years imprisonment
Asa Vetters, 32, Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
10 years’ imprisonment.
Montez L. Wells, 32, Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
20 years’ imprisonment
Carl T. Wilson, a/k/a Bud, 36, Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
10 years’ imprisonment
“Drug trafficking organizations who push fentanyl and methamphetamine into our communities seek profits without regard for the deaths and lasting trauma they cause,” said United States Attorney for the Southern District for Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “Dismantling these criminal networks through comprehensive investigations and prosecutions is a top priority for federal, state, and local law enforcement. The convictions and sentences imposed here demonstrate that trafficking in these very deadly drugs carries very serious consequences.”
“Due to extraordinary investigative work by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, a significant drug trafficking organization has been dismantled, and 20 of its members have been brought to justice,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “These criminals profited from peddling illegal drugs that destroy lives and families. The sentencing of the final defendant in this case closes the book on this criminal enterprise, preventing them from bringing further harm to the community.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case, with valuable assistance provided by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Indiana State Police, National Guard of the United States, and Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Bradley A. Blackington and Kelsey L. Massa, who prosecuted this case.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Terre Haute Child Molester Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material Using KikRead the Press Release
TERRE HAUTE- Paul Hoopingarner, 62, of Terre Haute, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to three counts of distribution of child sexual abuse material, three counts of receiving child sexual abuse material, and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, beginning in at least January 2021, and continuing to at least February 2021, Hoopingarner used Kik to distribute and receive images and videos of the sexual abuse of children as young as eight-years-old. Hoopingarner used the screenname “domeeasey69” to communicate and share images and videos of adults engaged in sex acts with children with others who were also sexually interested in children. The material Hoopingarner shared and stored included depictions of the sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence as well as depictions of the sexual abuse of toddlers and infants.
Hoopingarner is a repeat and dangerous sex offender against children, following his 1996 conviction for Child Molesting in Morgan County, Indiana.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, Indiana State Police Superintendent, Douglas Carter, and Jeffrey R. Adams, Special Agent in Charge of the USSS Indianapolis Field Office made the announcement.
“Pedophiles use the perceived anonymity of communications apps to share horrific images of child sex abuse and communicate with like-minded criminals,” said United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “This defendant engaged in a series of horrific crimes and abuses against children, online and off, and he has now been held accountable for his actions. Thanks to the outstanding work of the Secret Service, Indiana State Police, and our federal prosecutor, the serious federal prison sentence imposed here ensures that he will never again harm a child.”
The United States Secret Service and Indiana State Police Investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, James P. Hanlon. Judge Hanlon ordered that Hoopingarner be supervised by the U.S. Probation office for the rest of his life following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States 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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc
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