Northern District of Indiana

FORT WAYNE –Calvin Jones, 42 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Jones was sentenced to 151 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in 2017 and 2018, Jones devised a scheme to distribute synthetic marijuana within various correctional institutions. Jones executed the scheme by soaking documents in a synthetic marijuana. Once soaked, Jones put these drug-soaked pages into envelopes addressed to inmates which purportedly were coming from various attorneys or from a state agency. The intent was that the pages be torn into smaller pieces or “doses” and sold to other inmates The inmates would then get high by ingesting the drug-soaked pieces of paper.  Jones was held responsible for a total of 105 pages of drug-soaked pages. 

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshal’s Service, the Indiana Department of Corrections, the United States Postal Inspection Service Laboratory in VA, and the Drug Enforcement Administration North Central Laboratory. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.

SOUTH BEND – Eugene Dawson, 42 years old, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Dawson was sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, between January and February 2023, Dawson brokered the sale of a 9mm firearm to an individual in exchange for $650 dollars.  He also provided cocaine to that individual during the firearm transaction.  On two other dates, additional drug transactions took place.  A search warrant was later executed on Dawson’s home where additional cocaine and marijuana was found in an area accessible to children, under 18, who were in the home.  Dawson was previously convicted of selling cocaine in LaPorte County Superior Court, a felony, and as such, was prohibited from possessing the firearm in this case. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Michigan City Police Department, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department, and the LaPorte City Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Katelan M. Doyle.

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.

HAMMOND- Eduardo Luciano, 35, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by the United States District Court Senior Judge Jon E. DeGuilio, after a jury found him guilty of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute cocaine and marijuana, and two counts of using a firearm to commit murder, announced U.S. Attorney Clifford. D. Johnson.

Luciano was sentenced to two Life sentences in prison for using a firearm to commit each murder.  He was also sentenced to Life in prison for conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity along with 240 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute cocaine and marijuana.  All sentences are to run concurrently.

According to documents in this case, on June 29, 2015, Luciano, who was a leader of the Hammond faction of the Latin Counts, a criminal street gang, and other Latin Count members formulated a plan to shoot and kill members of the Latin Kings, a rival criminal street gang.  The Latin Kings were attending a vigil for a slain member on the 5500 block of Beall Avenue in Hammond, Indiana.  After planning the shooting, gang members drove to the vicinity of the vigil and fired multiple shots into the crowd.  Christopher White (33), who was visiting family on Beall Avenue, was shot in front of the family member’s home, and later died.   Lauren Calvillo (16) was shot and killed while on the front porch of her family’s Beall Avenue home. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives/High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the Hammond, Indiana Police Department with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation/Gang Response Investigative Team, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Marshal’s Service, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, the Indiana State Police, the Gary Police Department, the East Chicago Police Department, the Chicago Police Department, and the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.   The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys David J. Nozick, Caitlin M. Padula, and Kimberly L. Schultz.

This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (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.

SOUTH BEND – Sean Posey, 40 years old, of Elkhart, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty, after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Posey was sentenced to 160 months in prison, 15 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $22,500 in restitution to victims of the offense.

According to documents in the case, between August and September 2021, Posey possessed over 900 photos and 7 videos on his cell phone consisting of child sexual abuse material, including images of minors under the age of 12. Posey had previously been convicted of sexual misconduct with a minor which required him to register as a sex offender.

This case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Indiana State Police Crimes Against Children Task Force.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John M. Maciejczyk and Hannah T Jones.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

HAMMOND – Abigail Dawes, 30 years old, of East Chicago, Indiana, and Alfonso Rodriguez, 30 years old, of Chicago, Illinois, were sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to Producing Visual Depictions of A Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Dawes, sentenced February 1, 2024, and Rodriquez, sentenced today, were both sentenced to 300 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on or about June 2022, Dawes and Rodriquez produced child sexual abuse material. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Philip C. Benson and Emily Morgan.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

SOUTH BEND – Cody Shanks, 29 years old, of Bunker Hill, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to receipt of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Shanks was sentenced to 72 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, between November 2022, and March 2023, Shanks, an elementary school teacher, received child sexual abuse material files via the internet.  

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Indiana State Police, the Miami County Sheriff’s Department, and the Howard County Sheriff’s Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John M. Maciejczyk and Hannah T. Jones.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

FORT WAYNE – Keondre Bradley, 28 years old, of Lexington, Kentucky, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge  Holly A. Brady, after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Bradley was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on or about March 7, 2022, Bradley possessed 400 grams or more of Fentanyl with the intent to distribute.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Indiana State Police and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.

SOUTH BEND – Pedro Gomez Jr., 31 years old, of LaPorte, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to distribution of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Gomez was sentenced to 144 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, during the fall of 2022, Gomez and his co-defendant, Monica Harrington, distributed methamphetamine in the Michigan City area. In October 2022, co-defendant Amanda West supplied Gomez and Harrington with an ounce of methamphetamine. In total, Gomez distributed almost 200 grams of methamphetamine.

Harrington was previously sentenced to 75 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. West was previously sentenced to 57 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the DEA North Central Laboratory and the LaPorte County Drug Task Force.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Katelan McKenzie Doyle.

FORT WAYNE  – On January 25, 2024, Donald E. James, age 65, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to bankruptcy fraud, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

James was sentenced to 24 months of probation.

According to documents in the case, on or about October 9, 2018, James lied in relation to his bankruptcy case filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana. James falsely stated on the Voluntary Petition of Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy, that he had not  filed for bankruptcy within the last 8 years and falsely stated that he had received a briefing from an approved credit counseling agency within 180 days before the filing of the petition, both which were not true.    

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division with assistance from the Northern Indiana Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group coordinated by Region 10 U.S. Trustee Nancy J. Gargula. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey Speith.

The United States Trustee Program is the component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws.  Region 10 is headquartered in Indianapolis with additional office in South Bend, IN and Peoria, IL.

HAMMOND- U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson announced today that the Northern District of Indiana collected $5,214,677.59 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2023. Of this amount, $2,898,640.06 was collected in criminal actions and $2,316,037.53 was collected in civil actions. 

Additionally, Northern District of Indiana worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $43,741,638.66 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. As part of this figure, the Northern District of Indiana recovered $31,251,810.00 from its’ settlement with BP Products North America, Inc.

“When most people think about the work of a United States Attorney’s office, they mainly think about the number of criminals prosecuted and the sentences imposed.  While prosecuting criminal conduct is important, that action alone does not completely advance public safety,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office promotes public safety by vigorously collecting monetary awards imposed by U.S. federal District Courts in civil and criminal judgments to compensate persons injured by criminals and civil violators.   I am so very proud of  my Office’s continued collection efforts.”

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Northern District of Indiana working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $2,171,602.00 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2023. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

###

SOUTH BEND – Quintin Ferguson, 34 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to arson, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Ferguson was sentenced to 240 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in January of 2021, Ferguson intentionally set fire to an apartment unit in Granger, Indiana.  The fire spread from that unit to the rest of the building, affecting over a dozen apartments. Due to the rescue efforts of citizens and police and fire personnel, apartment residents escaped uninjured.  Ferguson was not only captured on video starting the fire, but the coordinates from the GPS monitor he was wearing at the time placed him at the scene of the fire.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fire and Explosives with assistance from the Mishawaka Fire Department, the Mishawaka Police Department, and the South Bend Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kimberly L. Schultz and Jerome W. McKeever.

SOUTH BEND – William McClean, 52 years old, of Mishawaka, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to receipt of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

McClean was sentenced to 78 months in prison, 7 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3000.

According to documents in the case, in 2022, McClean received a visual depiction of child sexual abuse material.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the St. Joseph County Cyber Crimes Unit and the Mishawaka Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John M. Maciejczyk.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

SOUTH BEND – Jeffrey Sredl, 45 years old, of Monticello, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possessing unregistered firearms, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Sredl was sentenced to 51 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, Sredl manufactured multiple destructive devices that functioned as firearms, one of which accidentally discharged and injured a person. During the execution of a search warrant at Sredl’s home, law enforcement recovered a pipe bomb and five other firearms.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Cass County Sheriff’s Department and the White County Sheriff’s Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jerome W. McKeever.

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.

HAMMOND – Every year since 2010, the President of the United States has proclaimed January “National Human Trafficking Prevention Month” and reaffirmed the United States Government’s commitment to combatting human trafficking in all its forms. 

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana joins in this commitment and will continue to prioritize combatting forced labor, domestic servitude, and sex trafficking of children and adults throughout the District. 

“A crucial and necessary step in combatting Human Trafficking is recognizing potential trafficking situations and taking the further step of reporting these activities to law enforcement,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.  “My office is committed to working with its state and local partners both in law enforcement and through non-governmental organizations, advocacy groups, trauma-informed service providers and community leaders to support victims, prevent trafficking where possible, and  prosecute those who are engaging in  human trafficking.  We are most effective in addressing these situations when the community joins with us to recognize and report ‘red flags’ that may indicate a trafficking situation.  We encourage the public to join us in rooting out these crimes, not only during this month of recognition, but each and every day.” 

Below are a few questions that can help identify whether a potential sex trafficking or labor trafficking situation is occurring.

• Has the victim been forced or coerced into performing commercial sex acts?
• Is the victim under the age of 18 and engaged in commercial sex?
• Is the victim free to contact friends or family without being coached or monitored?
• Is someone severely limiting the victim’s freedom of movement? 
• Has the victim or their family been threatened with harm if they attempt to leave?
• Has the victim been harmed, deprived of food, water, sleep, medical care, or other life necessities?
• Is the victim in possession of their own travel/identification documents?
• Are the victim’s wages being unlawfully garnished to pay off a debt or fee?
• Is the victim allowed to socialize or attend religious services?
• Has the victim been threatened with deportation or criminal charges?

If a situation arises where the answer to one or more of the above questions is “Yes”, the U.S. Attorney’s Office asks that you to join in the effort to combat human trafficking and report the information.  

If you are a victim of human trafficking, suspect you know one, or have seen a situation you think may involve trafficking please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733), or your local law enforcement. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911. If you believe a child is involved in a trafficking situation, submit a tip through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s Call Center at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

Information on the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

FORT WAYNE –Tharren Caldwell, 32 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to distributing methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Caldwell was sentenced to 120 months in prison, 3 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $2800 in restitution.

According to documents in the case, in late 2020, Caldwell sold methamphetamine on two occasions and then attempted to sell eight ounces of methamphetamine to an undercover officer.      

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Allen County Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratory.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.

FORT WAYNE –Kevieun D. Lewis, 35 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to deliver fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Lewis was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on March 29, 2023, a search warrant was executed at Lewis’s residence after controlled buys of fentanyl were conducted.  During the search, officers found numerous baggies containing fentanyl, cocaine, MDMA, and marijuana.  Officers also located digital scales, a firearm, ammunition, and a substantial amount of U.S. currency.  Lewis has six prior adult felony convictions.    

This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from Fort Wayne Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratory, and the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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.

HAMMOND – Lorraine Duchscher, 50 years old, of Crown Point, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to three counts of wire fraud.

Duchscher was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $490,958.35 in restitution to the victim of the offense.

According to documents in the case, between March 2017 and December 2019, Duchscher worked as an office manager for a company in Crown Point. In this capacity, she had unsupervised access to the company’s bank account, financial records and payroll information. For almost three years, Duchscher made regular adjustments to her paychecks and gave herself additional pay to which she was not entitled. She also wrote over 100 unauthorized business checks to herself and another employee, which were cashed at local banks and currency exchanges. Over the course of the scheme, Duchscher defrauded the company out of $490,958.35; money she used to fund her lavish lifestyle which included the purchase of airline tickets, rental cars, vacation home rentals, entertainment, and cosmetic procedures, among other things.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Chang and Steven J. Lupa.

SOUTH BEND – Opediah Barnett, 31 years old, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to two counts of production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Barnett was sentenced to 292 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release as well as $6000 in restitution.

According to documents in the case, in July of 2021 and January of 2022, Barnett persuaded two separate minors he met online to send him images of child sexual abuse material. Barnett also traveled out of state in an attempt to meet with one of the minors.

This case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Department of Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the Indiana State Police; the Spokane County, Washington Sheriff’s Department; and the Raleigh County, West Virginia, Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Maciejczyk.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

SOUTH BEND – Martin Devalois, 40 years old, of Romeoville, Illinois, was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon following a two-day jury trial presided over by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Devalois is scheduled for sentencing on March 29, 2024. Any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the District Court Judge after consideration of federal statutes and the United States Sentencing Guidelines.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police Laboratory. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jerome W. McKeever and Joel L. Mathur.

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.

SOUTH BEND – Earl D. Miller, 44 years old, of Goshen, Indiana, was sentenced today by United States District Court Senior Judge Jon E. DeGuilio on guilty verdicts returned by a federal jury after a five-day jury trial in May 2022, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

On May 13, 2022, Miller was found guilty by the federal trial jury of five counts of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud.  That same jury acquitted Miller of one count of wire fraud and one count of bankruptcy fraud.

Miller was sentenced to 97 months in prison, 1 year of supervised release and ordered to pay $2,313,873.28 in restitution.

According to documents in the case, Miller became the sole owner of “5 Star”, a real estate investment firm, in July of 2014.  Through 5 Star and it its numerous related entities, Miller obtained funds from multiple investors’ by fraudulently telling them he would invest their funds in certain real estate investments but then actually using their funds in other ways, such as paying interest to other investors, investing in non-disclosed entities, paying for a spiritual advisor and a pontoon boat. From July of 2014 to January of 2016, Miller made over $4.5 million worth of payments from 5 Star accounts to entities not disclosed or approved by investors. Approximately 80% of investors in 5 Star were Amish or Mennonite.

On January 25, 2016, Miller filed petitions for bankruptcy relief on behalf of eleven 5 Star related business entities.  In these bankruptcy proceedings, the United States Trustee appointed a chapter 11 trustee to administer the cases, and the chapter 11 trustee was able to recover some improper payments Miller had made and, on July 2, 2018, negotiate an agreement with Miller to pay $600,000 to the bankruptcy estates.  As of April 2021, he had only paid approximately $36,000.00 of the agreed amount to the bankruptcy estates.

United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson said, “The essence of this defendant’s crime is that he convinced people to invest in businesses by telling them a lie: that their money would be invested one way, while he used those funds in other ways.  Mr. Miller’s crimes are particularly offensive because trial evidence showed that he perpetrated his fraud against Amish and Mennonite community members. This case shows that my office will vigorously prosecute affinity frauds.”

“Today’s sentencing should serve as a strong reminder that there are consequences for this illegal behavior and those who choose fraud will be held accountable,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI and our partners will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those engaging in criminal behavior.”

“Today’s sentence shows that abusive and fraudulent conduct will not be tolerated, and the bankruptcy system and its integrity will be protected through the commitment of U.S. Attorney Johnson and our law enforcement partners,” said Nancy J. Gargula, the United States Trustee for Indiana and the Central and Southern District of Illinois (Region 10).  The United States Trustee Program is the component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws.  Region 10 is headquartered in Indianapolis with additional office in South Bend, IN and Peoria, IL.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Northern Indiana Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group coordinated by Region 10 U.S. Trustee Nancy J. Gargula.  The U.S. Security Exchange Commission along with the Fairfax County Virginia and Salinas California Police Departments also assisted in the investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John M. Maciejczyk and Jerome W. McKeever

HAMMOND- Kenneth Christopher McGhee a/k/a “Sonny” and “Angel,” age 74, of Merrillville, Indiana, Richard White a/k/a “Ignorant Bastard,” age 56, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Brandon Romand Parks a/k/a “Baywatch,” age 45, of Chicago, Illinois, and Herman Troy Jefferson a/k/a “G-Rilla,” age 51, of Jacksonville, Arkansas, were each found guilty of various felony charges following an eighteen-day jury trial presided over by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

The jury found McGhee and Jefferson guilty of the racketeering conspiracy and the drug conspiracy and additionally found McGhee guilty of possessing a firearm while being an unlawful user of controlled substances.  The jury further found White and Parks guilty of the racketeering conspiracy.

According to the Second Superseding Indictment, the Sin City Deciples, originally formed in 1967 in Gary, Indiana, is a motorcycle organization in which its members and associates engaged in acts of violence, extortion, and narcotics distribution in the Northern District of Indiana and elsewhere.

The agencies involved in the Sin City Deciples prosecution are: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the East Chicago Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Gary Police Department, the Griffith Police Department, the Hammond Police Department, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area officers and agents, the Merrillville Police Department, the Munster Police Department, and the Schererville Police Department.   The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Northern District of Illinois, Southern District of Indiana, Western District of Kentucky, and Western District of Pennsylvania also provided assistance.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David J. Nozick, Michael J. Toth, and Kimberly L. Schultz.  

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (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.

SOUTH BEND – Damone McFerren, 28 years old, of Mishawaka, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

McFerren was sentenced to 102 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in October 2022, following a verbal argument in a South Bend residence, McFerren fired three gunshots at one of the persons inside the house. Officers who responded to the scene were able to recover the firearm McFerren attempted to hide in a discarded tire in the alley he ran to after leaving the residence.  At the time of the offense, McFerren was on federal supervised release for a felony drug conviction, and he had multiple prior felony convictions, any one of which prohibited him from possessing the firearm.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department and the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Katelan McKenzie Doyle.

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.

HAMMOND - United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson and Purdue University announced a pre-suit settlement resolving allegations that an associate professor of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology in Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine falsified documentation provided to the National Institutes of Health and Department of the Army. The university will pay the government $737,391, to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act, which includes restitution and punitive damages.

Between February 2014 and June 2020, Dr. Alice C. Chang (formerly named Chun-Ju Chang) of West Lafayette, Indiana, formerly an Associate Professor of Basic Medical Sciences at Purdue University, falsified and fabricated data in two (2) published papers and in multiple (17) grant applications submitted to the National Institutes of Health and Department of the Army.

When the university received evidence from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services calling into question the authenticity of research that Dr. Chang had included in submissions to federal agencies, Purdue University cooperated and thoroughly investigated the alleged misconduct. Purdue, based on its findings, agreed with the federal government that the funding was not deserved and should be returned.

“Academic integrity is the cornerstone of scientific research, and we take our commitment to protect U.S.-funded research grants seriously,” said U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. “Failure to be truthful on an application for U.S.-funded grants is a violation of the law and my office will continue to make it a priority to pursue cases to recover grant funds awarded through fraud.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Research Integrity has also entered into a Voluntary Exclusion Agreement with Dr. Chang banning her from any contracting or subcontracting with any agency of the United States for ten years.  As part of this agreement, she will also request that her published papers be corrected.

The settlement was reached as a result of an investigation by United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana with assistance from the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Dirk D. De Lor.

FORT WAYNE –Gregory Johnson, 47 years old, of Franklin, Ohio, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady on his conviction for Attempted Child Exploitation following a two-day jury trial, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Defendant Johnson was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in April 2020, Johnson engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with an undercover officer who Johnson believed to be sexually active with a minor.  Over the course of several online conversations, Johnson made sexual comments about the minor and expressed an interest in watching a livestream of the minor engaged in sexual activity with the undercover officer.  Johnson attempted to commit this crime by providing the undercover officer with graphic detail about exactly what he wanted to see.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lesley J. Miller Lowery and Justin Sheridan.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

WASHINGTON – A former officer with the Gary, Indiana, Police Department (GPD), was sentenced today to one year and a day in prison, and one year of supervised release after pleading guilty to violating the civil rights of an arrestee. Terry Peck, 48, previously admitted to having used unreasonable force during the arrest of the victim, a man the defendant had stopped for an alleged traffic infraction.

“All people in our country have a right to be free from excessive force by police officers,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The sentencing of this defendant makes clear that officers cannot violate people’s civil rights with impunity.  The Justice Department will continue to aggressively prosecute any law enforcement officer who willfully violates the civil rights of the people they are sworn to serve and protect.”

“When interacting with members of the public, even when those public members may have engaged in criminal activity, law enforcement officers are under an obligation to conduct themselves within the limits of the Constitution,” said U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana. “This successful prosecution demonstrates how justice can prevail when victims and witnesses bravely report criminal misconduct by those who took an oath to serve and protect.”

“This sentence should send a clear message the FBI won’t tolerate the abuse of power of those who took an oath to serve and protect,” said Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton of the FBI Indianapolis Field Office. “The action of this officer not only violated the victim’s civil rights but damaged the community’s trust in law enforcement. When there is excessive use of force that rises to a federal crime, the FBI will investigate, and those individuals will be held accountable.”

According to the plea agreement, Peck admitted that, on March 19, 2019, while on duty and acting as an officer for GPD, he conducted a traffic stop and placed the driver under arrest. While the driver was handcuffed and not posing a threat to Peck or anyone around him, Peck slammed the driver’s face and head against a police vehicle, breaking the man’s tooth and causing him bodily injury.

The Merrillville Resident Agency of the FBI Indianapolis Field Office investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas McGrath and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Chang for the Northern District of Indiana prosecuted the case.

The United States Attorney’s Office encourages anyone who may have been a victim of a civil rights or hate crime violation to contact the FBI at (219) 769-3719 or submit a tip to tips@fbi.gov.

A former officer with the Gary, Indiana, Police Department (GPD) was sentenced today to one year and a day in prison and one year of supervised release for violating the civil rights of an arrestee.

Terry Peck, 48, previously pleaded guilty to having used unreasonable force during the arrest of the victim, a man the defendant had stopped for an alleged traffic infraction.

“All people in our country have a right to be free from excessive force by police officers,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The sentencing of this defendant makes clear that officers cannot violate people’s civil rights with impunity. The Justice Department will continue to aggressively prosecute any law enforcement officer who willfully violates the civil rights of the people they are sworn to serve and protect.”

“When interacting with members of the public, even when those public members may have engaged in criminal activity, law enforcement officers are under an obligation to conduct themselves within the limits of the Constitution,” said U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana. “This successful prosecution demonstrates how justice can prevail when victims and witnesses bravely report criminal misconduct by those who took an oath to serve and protect.”

“When a police officer uses excessive force, it erodes the trust between law enforcement and the community they are sworn to protect,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI and our partners will work to ensure law enforcement officers who use unreasonable force are held accountable under the law.”

According to the plea agreement, Peck admitted that, on March 19, 2019, while on duty and acting as an officer for GPD, he conducted a traffic stop and placed the driver under arrest. While the driver was handcuffed and not posing a threat to Peck or anyone around him, Peck slammed the driver’s face and head against a police vehicle, breaking the man’s tooth and causing him bodily injury.

The FBI Indianapolis Field Office, Merrillville Resident Agency investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas McGrath and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Chang for the Northern District of Indiana prosecuted the case.

Anyone who may have been a victim of a civil rights or hate crime violation should contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip to tips@fbi.gov.

SOUTH BEND – Nathan Keosackdy, 24 years old, of Elkhart, Indiana, was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon following a two-day jury trial presided over by United States District Court Senior Judge Jon E. DeGuilio, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Keosackdy is scheduled for sentencing on March 14, 2024. Any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the District Court Judge after consideration of federal statutes and the United States Sentencing Guidelines.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department and the Mishawaka Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jerome W. McKeever and Lydia T. Lucius.

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.

HAMMOND- Larry D. Carter III, 30 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to possessing an unregistered machinegun, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Carter was sentenced to 51 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release. 

According to documents in the case, on October 18, 2022, law enforcement responded to a call of a domestic battery and determined Carter had an outstanding arrest warrant.  From Carter’s possession, law enforcement recovered a loaded semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine and a machinegun conversion device attached to it.  The machinegun conversion device made the pistol capable of firing multiple shots with a single pull of the trigger.  The machinegun was not registered to him in the National Firearm Registration and Transfer record, making his possession of the firearm illegal.  Additionally, Carter’s criminal history revealed he had three felony convictions, including a 2018 conviction for trafficking in stolen weapons, and as such, he was prohibited from possessing the firearm.   

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force and the Gary Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eamonn P. Sheehan.              

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.

FORT WAYNE–David L. Westfall, 44 years old, of Angola and Hamilton, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty to illegally possessing an unregistered sawed-off shotgun and for possession of a firearm by a felon, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Westfall was sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on February 19, 2023, officers responded to a rural area east of New Haven, Indiana, regarding a suspicious occupied vehicle.  When Officers arrived, they located Westfall who had active warrants for his arrest.  They attempted to detain Westfall, but he retreated to his vehicle, indicating he had a firearm.  Westfall then fired a shotgun, shattering the driver’s window of his truck.  Officers called the Allen County SWAT team for assistance, and the officers eventually convinced Westfall to surrender after a standoff of at least 10 hours. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance of the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, the New Haven Police Department, the Woodburn Police Department, the Allen County Sheriff’s Department Special Weapons and Tactics Team, and the Fort Wayne Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.

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.

HAMMOND- 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. 

###

SOUTH BEND – Tonya Robinson, 60 years old, Albert Smith, 47 years old, and Douglas Donley, 42 years old, were each found guilty of various federal felony charges following an eight-day jury trial presided over by United States District Court Senior Judge Jon E. DeGuilio, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

The jury found Robinson, Smith, and Donley guilty of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud.  Donley was also found guilty of a single count of bank fraud.  Robinson and Smith were found guilty of 6 counts of bank fraud, one count of wire fraud along with a single count of federal program theft. Smith was also found guilty of an additional wire fraud count. Three counts were dismissed against Donley during the trial and he was acquitted of four counts while Robinson was acquitted of one count. 

Robinson, Smith, and Donley are all scheduled for sentencing on February 29, 2024. Any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the District Court Judge after consideration of federal statutes and the United States Sentencing Guidelines.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Luke N. Reilander, Joel Gabrielse, and Jerome W. McKeever.

FORT WAYNE–Lydell E. Trainor Jr., 30 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Trainor was sentenced to 63 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on or about April 29, 2022, Trainor traveled to his in-laws’ residence in the early morning hours while possessing a loaded 9mm firearm.  During an argument, Trainor pointed the firearm which he later hid underneath a vehicle.  Based on his prior felony convictions for battery and possession of cocaine, Trainor was prohibited from possessing the  firearm in this case. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin Sheridan and former Assistant United States Attorney Brent Ecenbarger.

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.

HAMMOND-The Department of Justice joins survivors, victim service providers, advocates, and communities nationwide in recognizing October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). 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.

As part of its’ monthlong observance of DVAM, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern and Southern 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 contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner and reported an intimate partner violence-related impact during their lifetime. Domestic violence rates are even higher for American Indian and Alaska Native populations, Black individuals, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ individuals.

The announced grants will reach Tribal nations, historically marginalized communities, underserved communities, college and university campuses, rural towns, culturally specific communities, 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.

Specifically, 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.

United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson said, “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.”

“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 U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers. “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. The grants provided by the Office of Violence Against Women this fiscal year will fund valuable resources bolstering the many dedicated organizations serving survivors across the state 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.”

###

OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through implementing VAWA and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities nationwide that are developing programs, policies, and practices to end domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.

HAMMOND – Richard Allan Joesph Crowley, 32 years old, of Lafayette, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to Production, Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Crowley was sentenced to 240 months in prison, 15 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $15,000 assessment for victims of these crimes.

According to documents in the case, on or about May 16 through May 17, 2021, Crowley produced sexually explicit content of a minor by persuading, inducing and enticing the minor to photograph their genitals and send those images to Crowley through the internet.  Crowley further distributed at least one of these images through a group chat.  On multiple occasions between May 1 and June 30, 2021, Crowley received child sexual abuse material of another minor through the internet.  And finally, on or about June 8, 2022, Crowley possessed child sexual abuse material of an additional minor that was produced using a cell phone.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Indianapolis Field Office/Lafayette Resident Agency, with assistance from the FBI Criminal Investigation Division/Child Exploitation Operational Unit, the FBI Boston Field Office/Portland Resident Agency, the City of Sioux Falls Police Department, the West Virginia State Police, the Indiana State Police Digital Forensic Unit, the Tippecanoe County High Tech Crime Unit, the Lafayette Police Department, and the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily Morgan.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

SOUTH BEND – Elijah Jackson, 34 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Jackson was sentenced to 64 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in June 2022, Jackson forced his way into a home, struggled with a resident, and then fired a gunshot after leaving the home. Police officers located him walking in the area of the incident, at which point he fled from officers and dropped a backpack. After a foot pursuit, Officers recovered a loaded handgun from his waistband and another loaded handgun from his pocket.  His backpack contained a loaded extended magazine for a firearm as well as marijuana and pills.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the South Bend Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jerome W. McKeever.

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.

HAMMOND- Allen Crouse, 47 years old, of Griffith, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Senior Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a destructive device, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Crouse was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in the case, on July 21, 2021, law enforcement purchased from Crouse  two destructive devices that he had manufactured.  The destructive devices were intended to work as explosives or bombs and would have functioned as designed if detonated.  His criminal history revealed ten prior felony burglary convictions between 1995 and 2002, and as such, he was prohibited from possessing the destructive device.    

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force and the Griffith Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin M. Padula.               

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.

HAMMOND- Devontae Martin, age 30, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after a jury found him guilty of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and using a firearm to commit murder.

Martin was sentenced to Life in prison for using a firearm to commit murder.  He was also sentenced to 240 months in prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.  Both sentences are to run concurrently.

According to documents in the case, between June 2016 and February 2018, Devontae Martin and numerous others conspired to distribute cocaine from a car wash located in Gary, Indiana.  Additionally, on July 28, 2017, Martin and a codefendant discharged a firearm during and relation to a drug trafficking crime that resulted in the murder of K.H.  

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Gang Response Investigative Team, the Gary Police Department, and the Lake County Sheriff’s Department.  The trial was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys David J. Nozick, Caitlin M. Padula, and Kimberly L. Schultz.

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.

HAMMOND- Dwight Culver, 30 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Culver was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on April 6, 2022, during a traffic stop, Culver admitted to possessing a pistol that was located on the passenger floorboard.  A trace of the firearm revealed that it was reported stolen from Indianapolis.  Culver’s criminal history revealed that he had prior felony convictions for possession of marijuana in 2012 and criminal recklessness in 2015, and as such, is prohibited from possessing the firearm in this case.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force and the Gary Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Toth.  

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.

HAMMOND- Dwight Culver, 30 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Culver was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on April 6, 2022, during a traffic stop, Culver admitted to possessing a pistol that was located on the passenger floorboard.  A trace of the firearm revealed that it was reported stolen from Indianapolis.  Culver’s criminal history revealed that he had prior felony convictions for possession of marijuana in 2012 and criminal recklessness in 2015, and as such, is prohibited from possessing the firearm in this case.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force and the Gary Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Toth.  

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.

    

WASHINGTON-A former police officer with the Elkhart Police Department, Joshua Titus, 34, was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in federal prison followed by one year of supervised release for his role in assaulting a handcuffed detainee in his custody.

On Dec. 8, 2022, Titus’s co-defendant, former Elkhart Police Officer Cory Newland, 40, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for his role in the same offense. Titus and Newland were both sentenced by District Court Judge Phillip P. Simon, in the Northern District of Indiana, after pleading guilty to their respective roles in the assault.

“When officers abuse their power by assaulting handcuffed and defenseless arrestees, it erodes the public trust and tarnishes the reputation police officers everywhere,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No one is above the law, and the Justice Department will continue to ensure that officers who violate the rights of individuals in their custody are held accountable.”

“To have effective law enforcement, the public must be confident that the officers will perform their duties consistently, within the boundaries of the constitution and federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana.  “Instead of honoring their duties by protecting and serving the public, these defendants engaged in criminal behavior. When this happens, my office will fulfill our duties by vigorously prosecuting those officers.”

“The majority of law enforcement officers are well trained professionals who uphold their oath to serve and protect and do so with the utmost integrity. But the few who violate that oath and betray public trust will be held accountable,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert “Alex” Middleton of the FBI Indianapolis Field Office. “There is no acceptable level of abuse of power and the FBI will vigorously investigate those officers who violate that oath.”

According to court documents, on Jan. 12, 2018, while on duty, Newland assisted in the arrest of an individual identified by the initials M.L. and transported him to the booking area at the police department. Once at the police department, M.L. was placed in a chair with his hands handcuffed behind his back, with both arms behind the back of the chair. While seated in the chair, M.L. spat in the direction of Newland, at which point both Titus and Newland began punching M.L. in the face, causing him to fall backwards onto the concrete floor. Titus and Newland then hunched over M.L. and punched him approximately 10 more times in the face and body. Both former officers have acknowledged that they knew at the time of the assault that their use of force on M.L. was unjustified and unlawful under the circumstances.

The FBI Indianapolis Field Office investigated this case.

Trial Attorney Katherine G. DeVar of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and General Crimes Unit Chief Abizer Zanzi for the Northern District of Indiana prosecuted the case.

# # #

FORT WAYNE–Julian Muriera, 30 years old, of Hillsboro, Oregon, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after being found guilty by a jury of Attempted Child Exploitation, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Muriera was sentenced to 192 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, between April and May 2019, Muriera engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with an undercover Officer who Muriera believed to be related to a minor with whom he was sexually active. Over the course of several online conversations, Muriera expressed his preference for teenage girls and an interest in watching a livestream of the purported relative engaging in sexual activity with the minor. Muriera also provided graphic detail he wanted to see in the anticipated sexual activity.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

HAMMOND - United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson announced today a pre-suit settlement for $1.25 million to resolve civil claims of the United States of America and the State of Indiana against Edgewater Systems for Balanced Living, Inc., a healthcare provider in Gary, Indiana that provides mental health services, for fraudulently billing the Indiana Medicaid program.

The Indiana Medicaid program provides healthcare for low income, often uninsured, Indiana residents who cannot otherwise afford needed medical care.  Indiana Medicaid is jointly funded by the United States and the State of Indiana.  The case involves Indiana Medicaid’s requirement that, before conducting, and billing Indiana Medicaid for, mental health counseling sessions, the provider first must draft an Individualized Integrated Care Plan (Care Plan), and the Care Plan must be signed and approved by either a physician or a Health Service Provider in Psychology, which is a provider with a Ph.D. Degree in Psychology.  Despite knowing of the requirement because of negative Indiana Medicaid audits during prior time periods, during the period from November 1, 2012 through and including December 31, 2017, Edgewater repeatedly billed Indiana Medicaid for mental health counseling sessions that failed to meet the requirement.

The False Claims Act prohibits an entity from knowingly submitting claims for payment to a Medicaid program that fail to comply with required billing standards. Under the False Claims Act such non-compliant billing constitutes a fraudulent claim even though services were in fact rendered. Edgewater has agreed to pay the United States and the State of Indiana $1.25 million for falsely billing Indiana Medicaid for the mental health counseling sessions.

The settlement was reached as a result of an investigation initiated by United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana with assistance from the Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit within the Indiana Attorney General’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Wayne T. Ault handled the settlement negotiations.

                                                                          # # #                                                                         

HAMMOND- Yesterday, Gary Burnett, 62 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Senior Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Burnett was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in April 2021, law enforcement purchased cocaine from Burnett.  Later, during the execution of a search warrant conducted on his residence, law enforcement recovered 5 grams of heroin, 44.6 grams of cocaine, 22 grams of methamphetamine, a drug ledger as well as a .223 rifle with an extended magazine and multiple handguns.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin M. Padula.        

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.

SOUTH BEND – Pablo Pedraza, 30 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Pedraza was sentenced to 198 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in February 2023, Pedraza sold 1 pound of methamphetamine. When law enforcement later executed a search warrant at his residence, they recovered over 2 kilograms of methamphetamine and over $18,000 cash.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Mishawaka Police Department, the Indiana State Police, the St. Joseph County Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration North Central Laboratory.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.

HAMMOND, IN– Last week, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana partnered with the Gary Indiana Police Department and, hosted its first “United Against Hate” Community Outreach Event, bringing together local and federal law enforcement and the community to discuss effective strategies to prevent, report, and respond to hate crimes and incidents.

“United Against Hate” is a nationwide Department of Justice initiative to combat unlawful acts of hate. “We are excited to bring this initiative to the Northern District of Indiana and thankful to our law enforcement partners and community leaders for joining us in this necessary step to help provide education on combating hate and protecting civil rights,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

The event, held Thursday, September 14, 2023, at the New Friendship Baptist Church in Gary, Indiana, featured remarks by U.S. Attorney Johnson and Gary Chief of Police, Anthony Titus, as well as presentations from Assistant U.S. Attorneys, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and a representative from the Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service (CRS) on the topics of identifying hate crimes and incidents, the importance of reporting, and resources available to help communities dealing with such crimes. 

“Combating hate crimes and bias incidents is one of the top priorities of the Department of Justice and our office,” said U.S. Attorney Johnson. “It is very fitting to be discussing strategies to tackle these issues on this day and in this forum, as September 15th marks the 60th anniversary of the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama by members of the KKK.  Addressing and defending against hate crimes requires all of us to be attentive and vigilant.” 

As part of its United Against Hate Program, the U.S. Attorney’s Office hopes to engage with diverse communities across the District to further education and prevention efforts and encourage reporting of hate crimes, bias incidents, and discrimination to local and federal authorities. By convening community forums and providing education about civil rights statutes and incident reporting mechanisms, the goal is to build relationships and root out hate in the district. 

Community Organizations or Leaders that wish to partner with the United States Attorney’s office to explore holding such an event in their community should contact the District via the following link: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndin/northern-district-indiana-us-attorney-speakers-bureau. 

Finally, if you believe you are the victim of a hate crime or have witnessed a hate crime, immediately report the crime to your state or local police by dialing 9-1-1, then quickly report the incident to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). You can report to the FBI online at tips.FBI.gov or by  calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). If you believe a bias incident or act of discrimination may not involve a hate crime, you should still report such incident to the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division at civilrights.justice.gov or by contacting the Civil Rights Coordinator in the Civil Division at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

HAMMOND- Bobby Wright, 41 years old, of Gary, Indiana was sentenced by United States District Court Senior Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to one count of distribution of fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Wright was sentenced to 130 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, Wright sold fentanyl on two separate occasions in September and October 2021.  At the time of the sale, Wright was on federal supervised release for his 2019 felony conviction for distributing heroin and fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a school.  Wright was also previously convicted in 2009 for felony dealing in cocaine in Lake County, Indiana. 

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration and DEA North Central Laboratory. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin F. Wolff and Eamonn P. Sheehan.     

FORT WAYNE –Devin J. Weaver, 19 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Weaver was sentenced to 144 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on January 18, 2023, Weaver, a convicted felon, was riding around Fort Wayne in a vehicle waving a Glock pistol while live-streaming on social media.  Weaver discharged the firearm several times outside the vehicle in a populated area.  Officers were able to locate and arrest Weaver and recovered the firearm.  Weaver has been convicted of firearms related offenses on two prior occasions.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with assistance from the Fort Wayne Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.

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.

SOUTH BEND – Christopher C. Myers, 42 years old, of Elkhart, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to receipt of child sexual abuse material and transferring obscene material to a minor, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Myers was sentenced to 90 months in prison, 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $4296.89 in restitution to the victims of the offense.

According to documents in the case, Myers used social media account to chat with a minor. During online chats in September 2021, Myers requested the minor send him child sexual abuse material of themself, which they did. Myers also sent the minor videos of himself performing sex acts on himself.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from Salinas, California Police Department and the Fairfax County (VA) Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John M. Maciejczyk.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

FORT WAYNE–Gerardo Nino Romero, 41 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Uriangato, Guanajuato, Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Nino Romero was sentenced to 97 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, Romero was operating a drug premises at his Fort Wayne residence where he was storing and trafficking large amounts of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Fort Wayne Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana State Police, the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, the Fort Wayne Police Department; and the DEA North Central Regional Laboratory.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.

FORT WAYNE –Joshua R. Letner, 42 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Letner was sentenced to 220 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, between March 2020 and October 2021, Letner distributed and possessed with intent to distribute controlled substances in Fort Wayne, including over 50 grams of methamphetamine.  Letner, a convicted felon, who could not legally possess the firearm in this case, also possessed a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with assistance from the Fort Wayne Police Department and the New Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.

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.