Northern District of Indiana

FORT WAYNE- Austin L. Williams, age 33, of Fort Wayne, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady, on his plea of guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Williams was sentenced to 156 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in this case, in July 2021, following a tip, Williams was observed by law enforcement along with multiple individuals coming and going from his apartment.  In that same time period, a controlled buy of methamphetamine from Williams took place, and a handgun was observed in his proximity.  In August 2021, Williams reportedly pulled a handgun during an altercation.  When police arrived, they stopped Williams who had a loaded 9mm handgun under the passenger seat of his car and over 6 grams of methamphetamine on his person.  Williams criminal history revealed he had a prior felony conviction for burglary.  This conviction prohibited him from possessing a firearm or ammunition.  

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

HAMMOND- Courtney Lewis, 41 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon on his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Lewis was sentenced to 50 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on August 28, 2020, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Lewis.  An officer observed a firearm between Lewis’ leg and tried to remove it but Lewis resisted, pulled the gun from the officer and sped away.  While fleeing, Lewis threw the gun from the vehicle.  Lewis’ criminal history revealed he had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including robbery, cheating at a gambling game, and possessing a firearm as a felon, and as such, was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.          

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

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

SOUTH BEND – Kelvin Franklin, 39 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio on his plea of guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Franklin was sentenced to 108 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in the case, in May of 2019, Franklin agreed with others to obtain methamphetamine from California. Franklin flew out to California with cash and was present when 15 kilograms of methamphetamine were delivered. The methamphetamine was subsequently loaded into a car that was stopped by law enforcement while it was enroute to the Midwest.

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

HAMMOND- Taequan Richardson, 23 years old, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon on his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Richardson was sentenced to 41 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on July 10, 2021, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on the Indiana Toll Road on a vehicle.  During the search of the car, law enforcement recovered a firearm underneath the front passenger’s seat at Richardson’s feet. Richardson’s criminal history revealed he has a prior Michigan conviction for manufacturing/delivering controlled substances, and as such, was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Hobart Police Department.   This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin M. Padula.      

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

HAMMOND- Matthew Burton, 20 years old, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio on his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Burton was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on May 17, 2021, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Burton and recovered a firearm from under the front passenger seat which he possessed. Burton’s criminal history revealed he had a prior felony conviction for robbery, and as such, is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.   

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

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

HAMMOND- Omarr Williams, 43, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio on his plea of guilty to bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Williams was sentenced to 235 in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in the case, on October 8, 2019, Williams robbed a bank in Hammond, Indiana.  Upon entering the bank, Williams pointed a firearm at a bank teller and demanded money.  At the time of his arrest. Williams was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm and $1,597.   

At the time he committed the bank robbery, Williams was on probation for a prior armed robbery conviction.  Based on his criminal history, Williams was determined to be a career offender which resulted in an increase to his sentence.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Hammond Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Caitlin M. Padula and Jennifer S. Chang.    

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

SOUTH BEND – Sven Eric Marshall, Jr., 64 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio on his plea of guilty to mail fraud, securities fraud, and bank fraud, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Marshall was sentenced to 121 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,938,193.15 in restitution to the various victims of his offenses. 

According to documents in this case, Marshall practiced law as an attorney in South Bend in the area of wills, trusts, estates, and other elder law matters. He also provided financial accounting services and sold investment securities. From approximately 2003 until its collapse in December 2017, Marshall’s investment business, Trust & Investment Advisory Services of Indiana, Inc., defrauded investors by paying their supposed investment returns with other investors’ money. He also used investors’ money for his personal expenses. Marshall stole more than $730,000 from 16 different investors over the course of his scheme. Many of Marshall’s victims invested their entire life savings and suffered substantial financial hardship after they lost their money.

In addition to defrauding investors, Marshall also embezzled more than $1.3 million from seven clients who had hired Marshall to prepare their wills and estates. Marshall did not distribute the victims’ money according to their directives, but instead, used the estates’ money for his own personal and business expenses.  The beneficiaries of these wills never received the money the victims wanted to leave them. These beneficiaries included numerous local churches, schools, religious communities, and charitable organizations.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Luke N. Reilander and John M. Maciejczyk.

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HAMMOND- Raheri Boyd, 45 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon, on his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Boyd was sentenced to 36 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on June 8, 2021, a vehicle operated by Boyd was involved in a hit and run accident.  When officers arrived, Boyd was found to be asleep in the driver’s seat.  During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement recovered a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol in the center console.  Boyd’s criminal history indicates that he has previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a firearm by a felon, and aggravated discharge of a firearm.  These convictions prohibit him from possessing a firearm or ammunition.             

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with the assistance of the Lake Station Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Toth.       

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

HAMMOND- George McKown, age 71, of Carmel, Indiana was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon on his conviction for Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

McKown was sentenced to 84 months in prison and ordered to pay over $5,212,159.45 dollars in restitution to the victims of his securities fraud and wire fraud schemes.

According to documents filed in this case, between 2008 and 2013, McKown partnered with Richard Gearhart to operate Asset Preservation Specialists (APS) a company they claimed would make profitable market investments for its clients.  McKown and Gearhart recruited over 40 individuals to invest their savings, pensions, death benefits, and IRAs with APS, ultimately collecting millions of dollars.  McKown, representing himself as the President of APS, promised his investors there was no risk to their initial deposit, they would receive a return of 6% to 8% on their investments and, upon request, their initial investment would be returned within thirty days.

After receiving the investors’ money, McKown and Gearhart abandoned the plan to invest money in the market and began using their clients’ investments to fund their own personal business projects and projects of their associates.  By 2013, McKown and Gearhart had squandered over $5,000,000 of their investors’ money. 

The individuals, through APS, kept its investors in the dark about the losses by sending fraudulent financial statements and 1099s to investors which falsely showed they were making a consistent profit on their investments. Through APS, the pair further continued to recruit new investors to hide the losses and keep the scheme afloat.   Many of the victims first learned that APS had lost their savings when Gearhart filed for bankruptcy in 2013.

Co-defendant, Richard Gearhart pled guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud in December of 2019.  He was sentenced to five years imprisonment and ordered to pay over $5 million in restitution in July of 2021. McKown was convicted of his fraud offenses following a jury trial in October 2021. 

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Indiana Secretary of State Securities Division. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas McGrath and former Assistant United States Attorney Toi Denise Houston.

FORT WAYNE- Eduardo A. Arguelles, Jr., age 20, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady, on his plea of guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin, maintaining a drug-involved premises and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents in this case, in September 2021, a series of search warrants were executed on a Fort Wayne address at which Arguelles was staying and a storage locker he was renting.  During service of the search warrant in the home, authorities found approximately one pound of fentanyl pills and 100 grams of heroin, along with guns, cash, and an apparent drug ledger. In Arguelles’s storage unit, law enforcement recovered approximately six kilograms of cocaine. 

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of Allen County Sheriff’s Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah E. Nokes. 

HAMMOND – Milton L. Harvey, Jr, age 42, of Gary, Indiana, was found guilty of a firearm offense following a 2-day jury trial in front of United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Harvey was found guilty by the jury of being a felon in possession of a firearm in August of 2016.

Harvey’s sentencing will be set for a later date.  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. 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Gary Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nick Padilla and Kevin Wolff. 

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SOUTH BEND – Earl D. Miller, age 43, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was found guilty of 5 counts of wire fraud and 1 count of securities fraud following a 5-day jury trial, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio presided over the trial.

Miller’s sentencing will be scheduled August 25, 2022.  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. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Office of the United States Trustee (Region 10), the Indiana Secretary of State Securities Division, and the Indiana State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John M. Maciejczyk and Jerome W. McKeever. 

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HAMMOND— In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson salutes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement.  This year, the week is observed Wednesday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said Attorney General Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”

“It is my solemn duty to honor all law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.  “Law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to protect others.  These selfless acts deserve the upmost respect and honor.  On behalf of my Office, I want to say to all law enforcement officers, we are grateful for the good work that you perform each day.” 

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.  Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021.  Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19.  Three officers from the Northern District of Indiana will be added this year with nine total throughout the State of Indiana.   

Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 56 died in accidents.  Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year.  In 2021, unprovoked attacks[1] were the cause of 24 deaths significantly outpacing all other line of duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting.  Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program. 

The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. Those who wish to view the vigil live online, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website.

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[1] An unprovoked attack is defined as an attack on an officer not prompted by official contact at the time of the incident between the officer and the offender.  Source:  Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program

FORT WAYNE- Adam N. Bock, age 43 of Avilla, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady, on his plea of guilty to removing, obliterating, tampering or altering a vehicle identification number of a motor vehicle, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Bock was sentenced to 30 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $251,948.59 in restitution to victims of the offense. 

According to documents in this case, in 2017 and 2018, Bock and an accomplice stole 25 travel trailers from businesses in Indiana and Michigan.  They then replaced the VIN numbers and rebranded the trailers in Bock’s company name.  Thereafter, Bock and his accomplice sold many of the rebranded trailers to innocent third-party purchasers. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Indiana State Police with the assistance of  the Michigan State Police, the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Office and the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith. 

SOUTH BEND – Javier Gil, 37 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty on his plea of guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents in the case, Gil conspired to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.  Gil and his co-defendants took several trips to California to obtain drugs for distribution.  During the final trip in December 2017, Gil and two other individuals flew to California, where they obtained 11 kilograms of methamphetamine and cocaine that were loaded into a vehicle headed for the Midwest.  The drugs were discovered when the vehicle was stopped by police.

Saul Leal, Gil’s co-defendant, was sentenced to 108 months in prison earlier in April.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Oklahoma State Police.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joel Gabrielse and Kimberly L. Schultz.

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HAMMOND-Nestor Ochoa, 29, of Berwyn, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio on his plea of guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. 

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

According to documents filed in the case, between January 11 and 24, 2019, Ochoa conspired with others to distribute ounce quantities of heroin within the Northern District of Indiana.  As part of the conspiracy, Ochoa delivered heroin on three occasions.  Ochoa also admitted that he agreed to assist others in the delivery of fentanyl in March of 2019. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration/Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. McGrath.

FORT WAYNE- Timothy Cannon, age 37, of Lima, Ohio, was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, transferring a firearm to a felon, and distribution of cocaine following a 3 day jury trial before United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Cannon’s sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.  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. 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department, Indiana State Police, and the Auburn Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery. 

This case was being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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HAMMOND- Terrence McCray, 22 years old, of East Chicago, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon on his plea of guilty to conspiracy to make false statements to a federally licensed firearms dealers in connection with the acquisition of multiple firearms, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

McCray was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in 2019, McCray conspired with three other persons to straw purchase 17 firearms on 14 occasions.  In each of the transactions, a buyer falsely certified on the federal forms that he/she was the actual buyer of the firearms.  However, the buyer was really making the purchase of the firearms for McCray, who had selected and provided the funds for the purchase of the firearms.             

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin F. Wolff and Michael J. Toth.      

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

HAMMOND- Bruce Leipart, 39 years old, of Hobart, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James T. Moody on his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of  firearms, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Leipart was sentenced to 57 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in the case, in October 2018, law enforcement recovered six firearms and multiple extended magazines from Leipart’s residence. Leipart’s criminal history revealed he had a prior felony conviction for a controlled substance offense, and as such, was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.              

This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Porter County Sheriff’s Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin M. Padula.  

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

HAMMOND- Charles Devon Byron Cook, 32 years old, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James T. Moody on his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents in the case, on July 15, 2020, law enforcement was dispatched to a disturbance and upon arrival, observed Cook toss a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol into a vehicle.  Law enforcement recovered a loaded extended firearm magazine from Cook’s pocket.  Cook’s criminal history indicates that he had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including failing to register as a sex or violent offender, auto theft, carrying a handgun without a license, and felon in possession of a firearm.  These convictions prohibited him for possessing a firearm or ammunition.          

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive/Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force with assistance of the East Chicago Police Department.   This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Padilla.      

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

HAMMOND-Elizabeth Harris, 40, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James T. Moody on her plea of guilty to mail fraud, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Harris was sentenced to 36 months’ probation with 12 months’ home detention and ordered to pay $192,659 in restitution to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

According to documents filed in the case, in March 2009, Elizabeth Harris became a Representative Payee for her father, who received benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, and later the Retirement Insurance Benefits Program. As a representative Payee, Harris was responsible for using the money for the benefit of her father and was required to report any change in circumstances to the SSA.  Harris’ father died in September 2010, but she never reported his death to the SSA.  She continued to fraudulently collect benefit to which her deceased father was not entitled, in the total sum of $192,659.

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang and former Assistant United States Attorney Molly Kelley.

HAMMOND- Michael Thedford, 29 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James T. Moody on his plea of guilty to possessing an unregistered machinegun, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Thedford was sentenced to 63 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release 

According to documents in the case, on March 21, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Thedford’s residence and recovered narcotics, five loaded firearms with high capacity magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.  Also recovered was a Glock firearm that contained a conversion device also known as a “Glock Switch” that converted the semi-automatic firearm to a fully automatic weapon.   This weapon was required to be registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Records in accordance with the National Firearms Act but was not.   

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Caitlin M. Padula and Kevin Wolff.     

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

HAMMOND- Morris Burdette, 30 years old, of East Chicago, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James T. Moody on his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Burdette was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on September 10, 2020, Officers responded to a shots fired call in East Chicago and encountered Burdette at the scene.  While possessing a firearm, Burdette fled from law enforcement, and was arrested as he attempted to throw the firearm over a fence.  According to his criminal history, Burdette had a prior felony conviction for robbery, making his possession of a firearm or ammunition illegal. 

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

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

FORT WAYNE- Mandell D. Strawter, age 30, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced, April 25, 2022, by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady, on his plea of guilty to distributing a controlled substance, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Strawter was sentenced to 168 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, in February 2019, Strawter distributed heroin. Strawter was determined to be a career offender based on his prior felony convictions for armed robbery and dealing cocaine. 

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

HAMMOND- Kevin Chevrette, 40 years old, of Wheatfield, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James Moody on his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Chevrette was sentenced to 21 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on February 10, 2021, while responding to a drug overdose call, officers encountered Chevrette.  During their response to this call, officers also recovered a 5.56 caliber rifle.  Chevrette admitted he had obtained that particular firearm two months ago, despite knowing he could not possess a firearm.  His criminal history revealed he had previously been convicted of multiple prior felony offenses.   

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Newton County Sheriff’s Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Nozick.        

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

HAMMOND- Edward Timothy Rzasa, 49 years old, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James Moody on his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Rzasa was sentenced to 33 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on August 2, 2021, Officers with the Griffith Police Department arrested Rzasa based on an outstanding arrest warrant.  During a search incident to his arrest, Officers recovered a loaded .380 caliber pistol which they learned had previously been reported as stolen.  According to his criminal history, Rzasa had multiple prior felony convictions.      

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives/High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force and the Griffith Police Department.   This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Padilla.      

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

HAMMOND- Luis Carlos Marin, Jr., 31 years old, of Portage, Indiana, was sentenced by  United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon on his plea of guilty to making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Marin was sentenced to 27 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release.   

According to documents in the case, between March 26, 2020, and July 13, 2020, Marin  purchased a total of 24 firearms from federally licensed firearm dealers.  While purchasing the firearms, Marin made false statements on the ATF Form 4473 in violation of federal law.  

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with the assistance of the Chicago Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Padilla.    

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

SOUTH BEND – Colton Crawford, 33 years old, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty on his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents in this case, in August 2020, Crawford was stopped by police.  During the stop, police discovered a handgun, magazines, and a holster, which DNA verified he possessed.  Crawford has a June 2015 felony conviction in LaPorte County Superior Court which prohibits him from possessing any firearm and/or ammunition. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Michigan City Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geovanny Martinez and Kimberly Schultz.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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FORT WAYNE – Christina M. Morris, 50 years old, of Marion, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady on her plea of guilty to mail fraud, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Morris was sentenced to 27 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release and was also ordered to pay $338,278.17 in restitution to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

According to documents in this case, beginning in 2007, Morris worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at the VA Medical Center in Marion, Indiana. In February 2008, Morris suffered a fall while working. She then filed a worker’s compensation claim and began receiving benefits, including payment for medical care related to her injury and expenses. As late as  2018 and 2019, Morris was regularly submitting claims through the U.S. Mail for reimbursement alleging that she traveled roughly 200 miles roundtrip to a clinic for treatment six days per week and had incurred out of pocket expenses. Agents spoke with employees at the clinic who revealed that Morris had not received treatment at the clinic for years and that her claims and the receipts submitted to support them were fraudulent. The fraudulent claims began in January 2014 and continued until July 2019, when Morris was confronted by investigators and admitted that she had filed false claims for reimbursement for treatment, mileage and expenses. The investigation revealed that Morris had filed 670 fraudulent claims for a total of $338,278.17.

This case was investigated by the Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah E. Nokes.

FORT WAYNE- James J. Goheen, III, age 39, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady, on his plea of guilty to maintaining a drug-involved premises, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Goheen was sentenced to 110 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, between September and November 2020, Goheen maintained a residence in Fort Wayne for the purpose of distributing and manufacturing a controlled substance. When Fort Wayne Police attempted to stop Goheen prior to executing a search warrant of his residence, he led police on a high-speed chase.  He was apprehended after stop sticks were utilized to disable his vehicle.

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

HAMMOND- Marcus Wise, 26 years old, of East Chicago, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon on his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Wise was sentenced to 21 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on August 8, 2020, Wise was stopped by law enforcement in East Chicago, Indiana. At the time, Wise possessed a loaded .380 caliber pistol with an  obliterated serial number, and had a prior felony conviction for burglary.       

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives/High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the East Chicago Police Department.   This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Padilla.      

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

SOUTH BEND – Saul Leal, 25 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced, on April 8, 2022, by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty on his plea of guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Leal was sentenced to 108 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, Leal conspired to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.  Leal and his co-defendants had taken trips to California to obtain drugs for distribution.  During the final trip in December 2017, Leal and two other individuals flew to California, obtained 11 kilograms of methamphetamine and cocaine which were loaded into a vehicle headed for the Midwest.  The drugs were discovered when the vehicle was stopped by police.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Oklahoma State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Gabrielse.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

FORT WAYNE- Torrence Larry, 44, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced, on April 8, 2022, by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady, after being convicted of federal gun and drug charges following a three-day jury trial, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Larry was sentenced to 420 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, while under investigation, Larry sold cocaine and heroin from his residence in May and June of 2017.  Law enforcement recovered quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine when a search warrant was executed at his residence.  Officers also found additional evidence of drug distribution as well as a firearm he possessed to facilitate and protect his drug trafficking activities. At this time, Larry had previously been convicted of a felony based on an armed bank robbery conviction in federal court and a state court drug dealing conviction. 

At his December 2021 trial, Larry was convicted on all three distribution counts, as well as a single count of possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances.  Larry was also convicted of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and for possessing a firearm during and in relation to his drug trafficking activities.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratory, and the Indiana State Police Laboratory.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey R. Speith. 

This case was being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

HAMMOND- Yvonna Lee, 36, of South Holland, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio on her plea of guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Lee was sentenced to 28 months in prison, 1 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $405, 867 in restitution to the IRS.

According to documents filed in the case, Lee engaged in a scheme between 2014 and 2017, whereby she and others filed fraudulent federal tax returns that generated improper refunds for clients who then paid them a cut of the refunds. As part of the scheme, Lee assisted in the preparation of 146 tax fraudulent tax returns resulting in a total loss of more than $400,000 to the IRS.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Chang with assistance from former Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Lerner, Jill Koster, and Diane Berkowitz.    

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SOUTH BEND – Joseph Blair, Jr., 30 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to armed drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Blair was sentenced to 106 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, in December of 2020, law enforcement searched Blair’s home and recovered over 150 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded handgun. A search of his car resulted in the recovery of over 200 grams of methamphetamine, two rifles, and a magazine for a high capacity rifle.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Gabrielse.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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HAMMOND- Donte White, 26, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio on his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

White was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on February 2, 2021, White was found by law enforcement to be in possession of a firearm and marijuana in Hammond, Indiana.  At that time, White had a prior felony conviction for robbery.  

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Hammond Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Padula.    

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

HAMMOND- Ricky Shultz, 51, of De Motte, Indiana was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio on his plea of guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Shultz was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on September 5, 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Shultz’s residence in De Motte, Indiana.  During the search, law enforcement recovered over 200 grams of methamphetamine and 48 firearms, two of which were fully automatic.  At the time of the search, Shultz had a prior felony conviction. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, the Jasper County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, the Indiana State Police, the Porter County Multi-Enforcement Group and the Newton County Drug Task Force.   This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Nozick.     

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

SOUTH BEND – Te’Ron Reid, 41 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty on his plea of guilty to possessing with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Reid was sentenced to 110 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in September 2020, Reid was on home detention for a different sentence when law enforcement searched his residence.  In Reid’s home, officers found over 100 grams of methamphetamine, a drug ledger, and a loaded firearm.  

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department and St. Joseph County Community Corrections.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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HAMMOND- William Hawkins, 22, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to selling a firearm to a felon and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Hawkins was sentenced to 78 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on January 24, 2020, Hawkins sold a .380 caliber pistol to another individual whom Hawkins knew to be a felon.  At that time, Hawkins himself had a prior felony conviction for dealing marijuana making his possession of the firearm illegal.  

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Gang Response Investigative Team (GRIT) and the Gary Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra McTague.    

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

HAMMOND- Fredrick Jenkins, 39, of Gary, Indiana was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents in the case, on June 23, 2021, Jenkins sold cocaine to an undercover officer.  After the transaction, Jenkins was arrested, and from his person, law enforcement recovered a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol.  During an interview, Jenkins admitted to possessing the firearm for protection during the sale of cocaine.  Jenkins’ criminal history revealed he had prior felony convictions for possessing a controlled substance and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.     

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.   This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas J. Padilla, with assistance from former Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas R. Mahoney.      

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

SOUTH BEND – Brandyn Blacharski, 29 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.

Blacharski was sentenced to 71 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in August of 2020, Blacharski was involved in a shooting in Mishawaka. He left the scene of the shooting in order to dispose of the firearm and was eventually arrested with the firearm in his possession.  Blacharski had at least four prior felony convictions and was out on bond for a burglary case at the time of this offense.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Saint Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit, South Bend Police Department, Mishawaka Police Department, Berrien County Michigan Sheriff’s Department, and Cass County Michigan Sheriff’s Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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HAMMOND- Justin Anaya, 21, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon following his guilty plea to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity as a member of the Latin Dragon Nation street gang, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Anaya was sentenced to 420 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, Anaya had been a member of the Latin Dragon Nation (LDN) since 2017.  As a member of the gang, Anaya conspired to conduct and participated in the affairs of the LDN street gang. As part of his involvement in the gang, he participated with other LDN members in the shootings of suspected rival gang members and associates.  Specifically, in July of 2017, Anaya, along with another Latin Dragon member, stole a car in Hammond, Indiana. The next day, Anaya, accompanied by another Latin Dragon member, drove the stolen car through a rival gang neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois. The other Latin Dragon member shot at a vehicle occupied by suspected rival gang members resulting in the death of a minor child who was in the vehicle. In November of 2017, in Chicago, Illinois, Anaya was in a vehicle with other Latin Dragon members chasing another vehicle. Anaya fired several shots at the occupants of the other vehicle and fatally shot a man who was in that vehicle.  In addition to participating in criminal assaults, Anaya’s also participated in the LDN’s illegal drug and firearms trafficking activities.

“As this case demonstrates, this Office will vigorously prosecute persons who conduct illegal activities on behalf of criminal street gangs,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.  “I thank all of our federal and state law enforcement partners who worked with this office on this case as, in my view, this joint effort has increased public safety for Northern District of Indiana citizens.” 

“As a member of a violent street gang, the defendant terrorized the streets of Northwest Indiana and participated in senseless murders,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herb Stapleton. “The 35-year sentence reflects the seriousness of these crimes and sends a clear message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will disrupt and dismantle these gangs and hold these criminals accountable for their violent acts.”

“Working closely with our local, state and federal partners is the most effective way to investigate and prosecute violent crime,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Kristen de Tineo. “I commend the diligence and commitment of each officer, agent and prosecutor who worked on this important case.”

The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Chicago Police Department Criminal Enterprise Unit; the Cook County Sheriff’s Office; the Bartlett Police Department; the Hammond Police Department; the East Chicago Police Department; the Merrillville Police Department; the Hobart Police Department; the Lake County Sheriff’s Department; and the Calumet City Police Department, with assistance from the Lake County, Indiana Prosecutor’s Office, the Cook County, Illinois State’s Attorney’s Office, the Indiana Department of Corrections, and the Illinois Department of Corrections.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin F. Wolff and Michael J. Toth, with prior assistance from former Hammond Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph A. Cooley.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

SOUTH BEND –George W. Fowler, Jr., 33 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Fowler was sentenced to 168 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in the case, in August 2020, law enforcement searched Fowler’s home and discovered a kilogram of methamphetamine, over 350 grams of heroin, and nearly 150 grams of fentanyl along with four handguns and $57,000 cash. Fowler was involved in distributing drugs with his brother, Rashawn Fowler, who was sentenced on January 19, 2020, by Chief Judge DeGuilio to 121 months in prison.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.

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SOUTH BEND – Miles Wilbourn, 29 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to three counts of carjacking, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Wilbourn was sentenced to 222 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in August and September of 2019, Wilbourn and accomplices lured victims to South Bend apartment complexes on several different dates under false pretenses.  When the victims arrived, Wilbourn and his accomplices attacked and robbed them, stealing their cars, and wallets.  One of the victims was so severely beaten they had to be hospitalized.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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SOUTH BEND – Sean Beebout, 27 years old, of Logansport, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possessing an unregistered sawed-off shotgun, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents in the case, the Law Enforcement Division of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources learned that Beebout was hunting deer without a license. During the execution of a search warrant at his residence, investigators found five firearms, including two sawed-off shotguns, as well as crossbows, a firearm suppressor, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.  Turns out Beebout had three prior felony convictions and committed this federal offense while on bond for another felony offense.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Law Enforcement.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kimberly L. Schultz and Jerome W. McKeever.

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HAMMOND- Latrell McGee, 28, of Hammond, Indiana was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

McGee was sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on March 2, 2020, McGee possessed a firearm and purchased ammunition at a Merrillville, Indiana gun range.  A traffic stop on March 27, 2020, resulted in law enforcement seizing from McGee the firearm he possessed on March 2nd.  McGee’s criminal history reveals he has a prior felony conviction for battery which precludes him from possessing any firearm and ammunition.  

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the East Chicago Police Department.   This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin F. Wolff.    

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

FORT WAYNE – Kenneth A. Hale, 30 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and possession of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Hale was sentenced to 120 months in prison to be followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, Hale encountered police on two separate incidents.  In April 2021, a 911 call was placed regarding a domestic dispute.  When officers arrived, Hale ran and resisted law enforcement when a firearm fell from his waist.  Hale was arrested and charged in State Court, posted bond and was released.  Thereafter, in July 2021, Hale was observed chasing a SUV and shooting at it.  At the time of his state arrest on this second incident, a firearm and methamphetamine were recovered from his vehicle.  Hale was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a 2014 felony conviction for Domestic Battery and a 2011 felony Aiding Attempted Burglary conviction. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with the assistance of 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 was being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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SOUTH BEND – Latavia Fleming, 43 years old, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced on February 24, 2022, by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Fleming was sentenced to 21 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in the case, over the course of several months in 2020, Fleming bought multiple firearms at gun stores.  During the purchases, Fleming falsely represented she was the actual buyer of the firearms when she was not.  In fact, she bought one firearm for an individual who could not legally purchase firearms.  She provided one firearm to a convicted felon who then sold it to someone else.  She also sold or traded firearms to several other individuals.  

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

This case was being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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SOUTH BEND – Joshua Pennington, 29 years old, of Reading, Ohio, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to online enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Pennington was sentenced to 136 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.  When released from prison, he will be required to register as a sex offender. 

According to documents in the case, beginning in September of 2018, Pennington began contacting a minor through social media. The minor eventually agreed to meet Pennington, who traveled from Ohio to Indiana in January of 2019. Pennington picked up the minor and drove to a church parking lot, where they engaged in sexual activity. When a police officer approached his car, Pennington directed the minor to tell the officer he/she was over the age of 18.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lafayette Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John M. Maciejczyk.

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FORT WAYNE – Guadalupe Pineda, Jr., 30 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Holly A. Brady, after pleading guilty to distributing fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Pineda was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, in the fall of 2020, Pineda sold multiple ounces of fentanyl and heroin to law enforcement on four different occasions.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Fort Wayne Safe Streets Gang Task Force, comprised of  the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana State Police, the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.

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