Northern District of Indiana

FORT WAYNE- Bryant D. Aron, age 36, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition on February 23, 2022, following a two-day jury trial before United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

According to documents in this case, on May 24, 2019, Aron was the driver of a vehicle involved in a high-speed chase with the Fort Wayne Police Department.  During the pursuit, Aron crashed his vehicle, exited it, and led police on a short foot pursuit.  He was subsequently searched, and a loaded firearm magazine was found in his pocket.  A loaded firearm was found inside the vehicle.  Aron’s prior criminal history revealed he had multiple felony convictions out of Allen County Superior Court. 

Aron’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.  This case is being 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.

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HAMMOND –  Troy Kidwell, 39, Portage, Indiana was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon upon his plea of guilty to Attempted Enticement of a Minor; Receipt of Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography; and Distribution of Child Pornography announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Kidwell was sentenced to 300 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay $49,000 in restitution. 

According to documents in this case, Kidwell was apprehended while travelling to the home of a 10-year-old child.  Text messages on his phone showed that he intended to have sex with the 10-year-old, and officers found a sexual lubricant in his possession.  A subsequent investigation revealed that Kidwell possessed hundreds of images and videos of child pornography, including images he received from a child he had been communicating with in Tennessee.   Kidwell had also distributed videos of child pornography to an undercover officer in Florida, while trying to arrange to pay to have sex with children.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Porter County Sherriff’s Office, and the Okaloosa County, Florida Sherriff’s Office.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Molly Kelley and Jill Koster, formerly an Assistant United States in the Northern District of Indiana Attorney (now an AUSA in the District of the Virgin Islands).

HAMMOND- Juan O. Barradas-De La Paz, 26, of Lafayette, Indiana was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio, after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Barradas-De La Paz was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release

According to documents in the case, in January 2021, law enforcement purchased a pound of methamphetamine from Barradas-De La Paz.  He was stopped in Lafayette on the way to another deal in January when he was arrested and found to be in possession of 3 pounds of methamphetamine and ½ kilogram of cocaine.  A subsequent search warrant at his residence resulted in the recovery of additional controlled substances and firearms, which included 5 kilograms of cocaine and 2 pounds of methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tippecanoe County Drug Taskforce, and the Lafayette Police Department.   This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Padilla.    

HAMMOND – Eddie Tramel McCloud-Hughes, 31 years old, of Conway, Arkansas, 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.

McCloud-Hughes was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in the case, in August 2017, McCloud-Hughes sold a 9-millimeter firearm to law enforcement.  At the time of the sale, McCloud-Hughes had a prior felony conviction for Robbery in Lake County Superior Court, making him ineligible to possess a firearm or ammunition. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Indiana HIDTA Task Force.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas 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.

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HAMMOND- Samuel Strickland, 37, of South Bend, 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.

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

According to documents in the case, on April 7, 2019, officers responded to a shots fired call in Hammond and recovered a loaded 9mm firearm from Strickland.  His criminal history revealed he had been previously convicted of aggravated battery with great bodily harm.              

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 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.

Cliffs Burns Harbor (Cleveland-Cliffs) has agreed to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and other laws, for an August 2019 discharge of ammonia and cyanide-laden wastewater into the East Branch of the Little Calumet River. The discharge, which led to fish kills in the river, also caused beach closures along the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Cleveland-Cliffs is undertaking substantial measures to improve its wastewater system at its steel manufacturing and finishing facility in Burns Harbor, Indiana.  

The complaint filed with the settlement alleges that Cleveland-Cliffs exceeded discharge pollution limits for cyanide and ammonia; failed to properly report those cyanide and ammonia releases under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA); and violated other Clean Water Act and permit terms.

“Today’s settlement with Cleveland-Cliffs appropriately penalizes the company for its significant violations and requires extensive actions by the company to prevent future pollution,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The cyanide and ammonia reductions will result in a cleaner Lake Michigan, and the public will be kept informed of potential future spills.”

“EPA and its partners worked together to develop a comprehensive solution that will not only support the continued enjoyment of Lake Michigan and Indiana waterways, but also implement necessary measures at the facility to prevent future spills like this again,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s settlement demonstrates that EPA is committed to protecting our natural resources from harmful pollution.”

“Hoosiers support a legal climate in Indiana that both promotes thriving businesses and protects our natural environment,” said Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita. “I’m pleased to see a resolution in this particular case that upholds the rule of law and establishes commitments to make physical upgrades that will benefit everyone involved.”

“I am grateful to our federal and community partners who helped reach this settlement,” said Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Commissioner Brian Rockensuess. “The consent decree will result in additional protections for the local community and Lake Michigan and go a long way in improving both health and the environment in Northwest Indiana.”

The settlement agreement, which is memorialized in a consent decree lodged today in federal district court in the Northern District of Indiana, requires Cleveland-Cliffs to pay $3 million as a civil penalty and to reimburse the EPA and the State of Indiana for response costs incurred as a result of an August 2019 discharge of wastewater containing ammonia and cyanide into a river that flows into Lake Michigan. A new ammonia treatment system and cyanide treatment requirements will greatly reduce the facility’s water pollution levels.

Cleveland-Cliffs will also resolve allegations under EPCRA and CERCLA by implementing a protocol to notify relevant state and local groups about any future spills of cyanide from its Burns Harbor facility.

In August 2019, the facility’s blast furnace closed loop air scrubber water recycle system failed, requiring Cleveland-Cliffs to draw in large volumes of Lake Michigan water and discharge it through the facility outfalls, without being able to recycle the water. Cleveland-Cliffs’ wastewater treatment system is not designed for the treatment and discharge of this volume of water, so the incident resulted in discharges containing high levels of untreated cyanide and ammonia-nitrogen. Following the discharge of untreated water, there was a fish kill in the East Branch of the Little Calumet River. 

Cleveland-Cliffs failed to provide timely notification and emergency reports to the local emergency response authorities after the release, as required under CERCLA/EPCRA.

EPA and IDEM conducted response actions in and around the areas of the discharges. The incident closed several local beaches along the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Inspections and further investigation of the facility by EPA and Indiana Department of Environmental Management revealed additional violations of the facility’s NPDES permits.  

In December 2019, the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) and Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC) filed a citizen suit against Cleveland-Cliffs for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act. ELPC and HEC are also signatories to the consent decree, which will resolve their ongoing citizen suit.

Under the consent decree, Cleveland-Cliffs will construct and operate a new ammonia treatment system at the blast furnaces, implement a new procedure for managing and treating once-through water during emergency situations, and follow enhanced preventive maintenance, operation and sampling requirements for the facility. These measures are designed to fix conditions at the facility that gave rise to the August 2019 spill, furthering compliance with the CWA and analogous state laws.  

To resolve the citizen suit claims, Cleveland-Cliffs has also agreed to two state-administered Environmentally Beneficial Projects (EBPs): (1) a transfer of 127 acres of land property adjacent to the Indiana National Lakeshore to a land trust for conservation; and (2) background sampling on the East Branch of the Little Calumet River and Lake Michigan.

As part of the agreement, Cleveland-Cliffs will reimburse EPA’s total cleanup response costs of $10,025.37 and Indiana’s response costs of $37,650.

Today’s settlement, lodged with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, is subject to a 30-day public comment period following notification in the Federal Register, and final approval by the court. To view the consent decree or to submit a comment, visit the department’s website at: https://www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.

FORT WAYNE – William Washington, 27 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to charges associated with his role in a series of armed robberies, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Washington was sentenced to 154 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $528.00 in restitution.

According to documents in the case, Washington plead guilty to Hobbs Act Robberies (Counts 3 & 7) and using a firearm during a crime of violence (Count 8).  The criminal activity took place between the evening hours of January 21, and the early hours of January 22, 2018.  Washington and his accomplice, co-defendant Brendan Collicott, robbed several Fort Wayne gas stations. Washington waited outside, while an armed Collicott  robbed the gas stations, after which the two fled together. At one of the robberies, Washington was seen interacting with the store clerk immediately before Collicott robbed the clerk.  No more than a few hundred dollars was taken during any of the robberies.

On January 11, 2022, co-defendant Collicott was sentenced to 252 months imprisonment for his role in these crimes.

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

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 – Ronnie L. Rutherford, Jr., 45 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady, on his plea of guilty to possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Rutherford was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 8 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, between June and July 2021, four controlled buys of cocaine and fentanyl were made from Rutherford.  Based on the buys, a search warrant was obtained and executed on July 15, 2021. During the search, officers located 240 grams of marijuana, over 90 grams of fentanyl, over 60 grams of cocaine, along with other evidence of drug distribution and almost $4,000 cash.  Rutherford had a previous federal conviction for carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

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

 

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FORT WAYNE – Benjamin Durnell, 39 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady, after pleading guilty to distribution of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents in the case, in May 2019, an FBI undercover employee, using a social media mobile messaging service, began texting with an individual who expressed a sexual interest in juvenile males. During the course of their conversations, the male, later identified as Durnell, sent the undercover two still images and six videos of males engaged in intercourse with juvenile males. Durnell also expressed an interest in engaging in the same conduct with juvenile males. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.

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FORT WAYNE – David Miller, 48 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady, after pleading guilty to possessing material depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Miller was sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in September 2018, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a tip that suspected images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct had been uploaded to a particular site. NCMEC later identified an image and several videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct that had been uploaded to an account belonging to Miller. When he was interviewed in December 2018, Miller admitted to receiving links to images of children, ages 3 to 17, engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and admitted there would be “a lot” of these images which he saved to his account. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.

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SOUTH BEND –Briana S. Williams-Heard, 24 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to making false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Williams-Heard was sentenced to 1 year probation with 12 months home detention.

According to documents in the case, in 2020 Williams-Heard bought three handguns from two federally licensed firearm dealers which she then gave to a convicted felon gang member. Williams-Heard falsely reported to police that one of those guns was stolen, and that gun was subsequently found in the possession of the felon gang member.

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 Attorneys Frank E. Schaffer and Geovanny E. Martinez.

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- Israel Wiggins, 25, of Gary, Indiana was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Phillip P. Simon after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm as a Felon, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Wiggins was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, Wiggins was arrested for an unrelated warrant in Merrillville, Indiana.  At the time of his arrest, he was carrying a .40 caliber firearm with an extended magazine. Wiggins had a prior conviction in Lake County Superior Court for the felony offense of Auto Theft, making him ineligible to legally possess a firearm.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,  Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Marshals Service’s Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force.   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.

FORT WAYNE – Derek B. Veazy, Jr., 24 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Veazy was sentenced to 72 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, in July of 2020, Fort Wayne Police Department Officers responded to a call involving Veazy shooting at a home.  After Officers arrived, Veazy led them on a short vehicle pursuit and a foot chase before he was apprehended.  Officers recovered a revolver that Veazy had thrown from his car, and located a semi-automatic pistol loaded with a high capacity magazine from Veazy’s vehicle.  Officers also recovered a bullet inside the victim’s home which the Indiana State Police laboratory determined had been fired from the pistol in Veazy’s car.  Veazy’s prior felony conviction was for robbery. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department and the Indiana State Police laboratory.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.

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 – Benjamin Glass, 41 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to distributing methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Glass was sentenced to 106 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, on three occasions in 2019, law enforcement purchased a total of 37 grams of methamphetamine from Glass. Glass also possessed a firearm in order to facilitate his drug trafficking activity during one of the buys. Glass’s possession of the firearm was also prohibited because he had previously been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection, Indiana State Police, Allen County Police Department, and the Auburn Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Nokes.

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.

FORT WAYNE – Kevin Hartleroad, 64, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after being convicted of attempted production of child pornography announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents in this case, between February 2020 and April 2020, Hartleroad engaged in online conversations with an undercover law enforcement officer purporting to be the stepfather of a 14-year-old girl with whom he was sexually active. During the course of their conversations, Hartleroad expressed interest in having sex with the girl. He also expressed an interest in watching the “stepfather” having sex with the teenage girl, and he sent the undercover officer a text message graphically detailing the sexual acts that he wanted to see performed with the girl. The jury found him guilty of the charge following a two-day jury trial in September, 2021. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.

HAMMOND- Terrance Brown, 33, of Harvey, Illinois was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Phillip P. Simon after being found guilty at trial of Bank Robbery, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Brown was sentenced to 180 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $12,724.

According to documents in the case, on September 18, 2020, Brown entered and robbed a Bank in Griffith, Indiana of $12,724. Brown was convicted after a three-day trial in September 2021. 

Due to his prior convictions for Vehicular Hijacking with a Weapon and Strangulation, Brown was classified as a career offender and received an increased sentence under the law.  

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana State Police and the Griffith Police Department.   This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Padula and former Hammond Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas 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.

HAMMOND-Josiah Phillips, 34, of Westville, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon following his guilty plea to two counts of production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Phillips was sentenced to 300 months in prison, 10 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $27,000 in restitution.

According to documents filed in the case, in 2019 and 2020, Phillips produced videos of himself engaging in sexual acts with victims under the age of five.

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Chang.    

HAMMOND – Stephen Coleman, 30 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to four counts of production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Coleman was sentenced to 360 months in prison, a 15-year term of supervised release and ordered to pay $40,000 in restitution. 

According to documents in the case, between May of 2017 and July of 2018, Coleman produced sexually explicit images of four minor children between the ages of six and eleven years.   

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in cooperation with the Gary Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. McGrath and Jill Koster, formerly an Assistant United States in the Northern District of Indiana Attorney (now an AUSA in the District of the Virgin Islands).

SOUTH BEND – Rashawn Fowler, 34 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Fowler was sentenced to 121 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in the case, during the summer of 2020, Fowler sold more than half a pound of methamphetamine during a series of controlled buys.  In August of 2020, investigators arrested Fowler and recovered more than half a pound of methamphetamine, heroin, assorted pills, digital scales, a revolver, and a loaded 9-millimeter pistol. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.

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FORT WAYNE – Michael L. Placencia, 53 years old, of Auburn, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than five grams of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents in the case, on September 7, 2020, Placencia, was approached by the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department after causing traffic to become congested by failing to move to the far right of the road. During the encounter, police checked the VIN number on Placencia’s moped and found that it was previously reported stolen.  Placencia indicated to law enforcement that he had something illegal on him which turned out to be eleven bags of methamphetamine, $674 cash, a digital scale with residue, a glass smoking device, and a red straw containing residue.  Subsequent lab analysis revealed the substance to be methamphetamine, 95% pure with a weight of 32.4 grams.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brent Ecenbarger.

 

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HAMMOND-Tanisha Bledsoe,48, of Chicago Heights, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio following her guilty plea to wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Bledsoe was sentenced to 37 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release. Bledsoe was ordered to pay $2,167,710 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

According to documents filed in the case, on or about January 21, 2016, Bledsoe assisted in the preparation and filing of a false 2015 tax return for a client. Bledsoe used the internet and an online company to create and file a fabricated W-2 form for the purpose of supporting the false wage income on the client’s tax return. Bledsoe then filed the tax return knowing that it was false. In total, Bledsoe admitted that she assisted in the preparation of 540 false tax returns as part of this scheme.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigative Division.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Chang.    

FORT WAYNE – Richard Gordon, 40 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and admitting to violating the terms of his supervised release on a prior felon in possession of a firearm conviction, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Gordon was sentenced to 78 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release on the current conviction, and was given a consecutive 24 month term of imprisonment on the revocation of his supervised release from his prior conviction.

According to documents in the case, on May 5, 2021, Gordon was found in possession of a 9mm firearm after being involved in a traffic incident in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Gordon ran from Fort Wayne Police Department officers but was eventually apprehended and arrested. Gordon had two previous convictions from the Eastern District of Missouri for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Gordon admitted to removing his location monitoring equipment and leaving his residence without authorization while on supervised release.

This current 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 United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.

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—Mary Lois Cossey, age 55, of Munster, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon today following her August 2021 plea of guilty to one count of wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Cossey was sentenced to a term of 2 years’ probation, and was ordered to pay $81,159.97 in restitution to the Chapter 13 Trustee appointed to administer her case for the benefit of her creditors.

According to documents in this case, Cossey engaged in a scheme to defraud the Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustee and her creditors in order to take advantage of the benefits of bankruptcy—including the imposition of a stay on collection and elimination of debts—without making the financial sacrifices required under Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. Cossey did not disclose on her bankruptcy petition a debt relationship with her personal friend and creditor, identified in the Indictment as Individual A. Even though she was prohibited from incurring new debts during her bankruptcy case, Cossey charged over $240,000 on Individual A’s credit card during the course of her bankruptcy for personal expenses including multiple vacations, luxury clothing and accessories, and jewelry. Cossey incurred other post-petition debts without the permission of the Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustee and failed to disclose changes in her employment and income during her case. Cossey repaid most of her debt to Individual A, while unsecured creditors received only 27% repayment for debts that were discharged in bankruptcy. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service in collaboration with the Northern Indiana Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group coordinated by Region 10 U.S. Trustee, Nancy J. Gargula. A trial attorney from the U.S. Trustee’s South Bend Office also provided assistance.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abizer Zanzi and Thomas McGrath.

SOUTH BEND – Vincent Peaks, Jr., 24 years old, of South Bend, 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.

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

According to documents in the case, in May of 2020, law enforcement responded to gunshots in the early morning hours and found a crowd in the street. Peaks ran from the crowd and threw a stolen 9-millimeter pistol into a backyard,  which firearm was recovered. Peaks has two prior convictions for firearms-related offenses, including a conviction for armed robbery with a firearm. He was on probation for the armed robbery when this offense occurred.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Molly E. Donnelly and John M. Maciejczyk.

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 – Cedric Washington, 40 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. after pleading guilty to four counts of distributing methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Washington was sentenced to 121 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in the case, in June and July of 2021, Washington sold methamphetamine on four separate occasions. During the last transaction, Washington sold over 50 grams of methamphetamine.  Washington’s criminal history included three prior felony convictions, one of which was a federal firearms offense.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer.

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HAMMOND- Odell Lucas, 44, of Schererville, Indiana was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James Moody after pleading guilty to one count of distribution of crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Lucas was sentenced to 151 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, Lucas sold crack cocaine to a confidential informant on four separate occasions throughout January and February of 2019.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the, Porter County Drug Taskforce.   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.

FORT WAYNE – Will A. Harris, Jr., 38 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court 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.

Harris Jr. was sentenced to 262 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on January 15, 2021, Harris Jr. was arrested by the Fort Wayne Police Department after a vehicle pursuit.  During the pursuit, Harris Jr. threw baggies of methamphetamine and a firearm out of the car onto the street.  Officers were able to recover the discarded narcotics and the firearm.  When apprehended, Harris Jr. physically assaulted an officer and later made threats to harm officers and their families. 

Harris Jr. has previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including, Dealing Cocaine, Battery, Battery to a Law Enforcement Officer Resulting in Injury, and Theft, making him a career offender for purposes of the United States Sentencing Guidelines.  Harris Jr. was also on probation at the time he committed his current offense.   

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratory and the Fort Wayne 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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FORT WAYNE – Kevin D. Ricksy a/k/a Kevin Tinsley, 35 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents in the case, on April 24, 2021, Ricksy was the passenger in a vehicle stopped by the Fort Wayne Police Department.  Officers discovered that Ricksy had an arrest warrant and took him into custody.  While doing so, officers located a loaded stolen handgun in the side door pocket where Ricksy was seated.  Ricksy also admitted to possessing an AR rifle.  Since Ricksy was previously convicted of Robbery,  Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon and Dealing Cocaine, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with the assistance the Fort Wayne 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.

 

SOUTH BEND – Terry Cottrell, 38 years old, of Winamac, 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.

Cottrell was sentenced to 97 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.  Cottrell was ordered to pay $39,000 in restitution.

According to documents in the case, in October of 2019, law enforcement discovered over 9,000 images and seven videos of child pornography on Cottrell’s cell phone and laptop computer. Cottrell confessed to possessing the images. Cottrell’s criminal history includes a conviction for breaking into a library in 2003 to look up child pornography on a library computer.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the Indiana State Police.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John M. Maciejczyk.

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FORT WAYNE – Brendan Collicott, 27 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to multiple counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Collicott was sentenced to 252 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. Collicott was also ordered to pay $400.00 restitution.

According to documents in the case, during the evening hours of January 21, 2018, and into the early morning hours of January 22, 2018, Collicott robbed four gas stations in Fort Wayne while armed with a firearm. For at least some of the robberies, Collicott was accompanied by another male. Collicott did not get more than a few hundred dollars at any of the gas stations. At the time of his apprehension, law enforcement recovered the loaded firearm used in the robberies.

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

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- Ernest Willis, 25, of East Chicago, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James T. Moody after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Willis was sentenced to 33 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in November 2020, Willis possessed two firearms after having been previously convicted of a felony. Both firearms were loaded, and one of the firearms had a high-capacity magazine. Willis has prior felony convictions for robbery.            

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.

SOUTH BEND-Michael Dale Kindley, 45, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio following his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Kindley was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by 1 years of supervised release.

According to documents filed in the case, in August of 2020, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop in which they learned Kindley was driving without a driver’s license in a car that did not belong to him. At the time of the stop, Kindley had a handgun, over $2,000 cash, two bags filled with an assortment of prescription pills, and was on probation for a felony conviction of possessing methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Indiana State Police.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney 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.

SOUTH BEND-Tyshawn Williams, 26, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio following his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents filed in the case, in March of 2021, Williams was stopped with a 9-millimeter handgun and marijuana in his car. He then tried to run away from officers but was apprehended. Williams was on parole for a reckless homicide felony conviction when he committed this offense.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Mishawaka Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerome McKeever.

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-Raymond Upthegrove, 35, of Demotte, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon following his guilty plea to receipt of child pornography and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Upthegrove was sentenced to 72 months in prison, 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution.

According to documents filed in the case, on various dates prior to January 10, 2018, Upthegrove downloaded and received child pornography from various websites and forums to his computer.  In addition, on January 10, 2018, at his Demotte residence, Upthegrove possessed methamphetamine that he intended to distribute to other individuals.  

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, and the Indiana State Police.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Nozick.    

HAMMOND- Clarence Brown, 30, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James T. Moody after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Brown was sentenced to 37 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in June 2021, Brown possessed two firearms - a Taurus firearm and a Polymer 80/20 - after having been previously convicted of a felony (armed robbery). The latter firearm is commonly referred to as a “ghost gun” since it lacked a make, model, or serial number.  Both firearms, which were loaded, had travelled in interstate commerce: the Taurus firearm had traveled in interstate commerce because it was not manufactured in the State of Indiana and the ghost gun had traveled in interstate commerce because Brown it had brought into Indiana from Illinois.             

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Hammond Police Department, and the Whiting 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 – Calvin Mitchell, Jr., 39 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Mitchell was sentenced to 240 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in February and March 2021, law enforcement conducted controlled buys of over 380 grams of methamphetamine from Mitchell.  During one of the buys, Mitchell boasted about having fentanyl available that was so strong “it was killing people.”  When officers searched Mitchell’s residence, they located large quantities of a cutting agent and over $7,000 in cash.  Lab tests confirmed the purchased methamphetamine was 100% pure. 

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

 

 

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HAMMOND- Jeremiah Taylor, 29, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James T. Moody after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents in the case, in March 2020, Taylor possessed a loaded firearm after having been previously convicted of a felony. Taylor has prior felony convictions for aggravated battery on a peace officer and criminal damage to government property.            

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Gary 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.

HAMMOND- Julio Cesar Galvan, 29, of Lansing, Illinois was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James Moody after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Galvan was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release 

According to documents in the case, on March 19, 2021, Hammond Police Officers were conducting a sobriety checkpoint when they encountered Galvan.  A search of his vehicle resulted in the recovery and seizure of a fully loaded black and gray handgun.  The gun was a  “ghost gun” that lacked a serial number or other identifiers.  Because Galvan was a convicted felon at the time of the stop, he could not legally possess a firearm or ammunition. 

This 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 - U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson announced today that the Northern District of Indiana collected $6,637,580.30 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2021. Of this amount, $5,174,664.80 was collected in criminal actions and $1,462,915.50 was collected in civil actions. 

Additionally, the Northern District of Indiana worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $1,189,415.52 in civil cases pursued jointly by these offices.         

“The Public needs to know that the United States Attorney’s office does far more than just prosecute violators of federal criminal law,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.  “We also strive to make crime victims whole by seeking to recover monies owed them as a result of restitution judgments entered by district judges.  We also protect the federal treasury by collecting debts that are owed to the United States.  These efforts are worthy of commendation.”  

One example of these collection efforts includes the September 2021 consent decree requiring U. S. Steel Corporation to address alleged violations of the Clean Water Act and other federal and Indiana laws.  U.S. Steel Corporation agreed to undertake substantial measures to improve wastewater treatment and monitoring systems at its steel manufacturing and finishing facility in Portage (known as its Midwest Plant) and to strengthen and broaden their public and stakeholder notification procedures in the event of a spill or release to ground, soil or water.  The consent decree also required U.S. Steel Corporation to pay $931,854.56, which covered civil penalties and damages caused by the spill. 

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 the Northern District of Indiana working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $1,111,683 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2021. 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.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Justice today announced nearly $126 million in funding to advance school safety under the STOP School Violence Act. The grants, awarded by the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), will help institute safety measures in and around primary and secondary schools, support school violence prevention efforts, provide training to school personnel and students, and implement evidence-based threat assessments.

“The Justice Department has no greater responsibility than protecting Americans from harm,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Schools must be safe places to learn, and today’s investment of more than $125 million under the STOP School Violence Act will help ensure that they are.”

“I applaud the Rochester and Hanover, Indiana School Districts in their endeavors to enhance school safety with these federal grants,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.  

The Students, Teachers and Officers Preventing School Violence Act of 2018 (the “STOP School Violence Act”) gives the Justice Department the authority to provide awards directly to states, units of local government, Indian tribes, and public agencies (such as school districts and law enforcement agencies) to improve security at schools and on school grounds through evidence-based school safety programs. It also provides grants to ensure a positive school climate by helping students and teachers recognize, respond quickly to, and help prevent acts of violence.

The 78 BJA annual awards, totaling almost $74 million, are intended to support training and education for school personnel and students on preventing violence against others and themselves, including anti-bullying training and specialized training for school officials to respond to mental health crises. Funds also help develop and implement multidisciplinary threat assessment or intervention teams and design technology solutions such as anonymous reporting systems, hotlines and websites.

The COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) provides up to 75% of the funding for school safety measures in and around primary and secondary schools. The 153 SVPP awards, totaling almost $52 million, are statutorily obligated to be used for coordination with law enforcement; training for local law enforcement officers to prevent student violence; locks, lighting and other deterrent measures; technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency; and other measures that provide a significant improvement in security.

The full list of SVPP awards can be found here:  https://cops.usdoj.gov/svpp-award.

A list of BJA awards, as they are made, can be found on the OJP Grant Awards page.

The COPS Office is the federal component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Department of Justice agency with policing in its name, the COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to agency for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served. The COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 135,000 officers. 

The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.

 

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HAMMOND- Darryl Ivery, Jr., 24, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to making false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Ivery was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release. 

According to documents in the case, between February and August 2020, Ivery purchased a total of 26 firearms on 17 different occasions from federally licensed firearms dealers in Lake County, Indiana.  In each of the transactions, Ivery falsely certified on federal forms that he was the actual buyer.  In reality, Ivery purchased the firearms for other individuals from Chicago, who paid him between $100 and $800 over the cost of the firearms to make the purchase.  Law enforcement have recovered seven of the firearms: six in Chicago and one in Gary.  Five of the firearms were recovered by law enforcement within one month of purchase, and one was recovered at the scene of a shooting.           

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Chicago Police Department, and the Gary 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- Daniel Urquiza, 46, of Burr Ridge, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio today following his June 2021 guilty plea for evading assessment of federal income taxes, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Urquiza was sentenced to 6 months in prison and 6 months of home detention.  He was also ordered to pay $145,432 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

According to court documents, between  2014 and 2018, Urquiza concealed over $700,000 in income from the IRS. During this time, Urquiza owned and operated Lost Marsh Restaurant and RSR Demolition LLC, two businesses that received most of its revenue from contracts with the City of Hammond, the Hammond Port Authority, and other local government entities. In addition to issuing himself a salary, Urquiza spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on personal expenses from the proceeds of these businesses and from his family’s business, Meyer’s Castle, an event venue in Dyer, Indiana. In tax years 2014 through 2016, Urquiza issued himself falsified W-2 forms and filed false federal tax returns that did not include his personal spending from the business revenue. Urquiza did not file federal tax returns for tax years 2017 and 2018.

This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abizer Zanzi.

WASHINGTON – An Indiana man was sentenced today to 50 years in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for using social media to produce child pornography.

Lorenzo Johnson, 33, of Hammond, was convicted on Aug. 16 by a federal jury of three counts of conspiring to produce child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Johnson used Facebook accounts in the names of others to identify women with access to children who appeared to be experiencing financial difficulties. Johnson, a registered sex offender, offered those women money to take sexually explicit photos of infants and prepubescent children whom they knew, and successfully persuaded three such women, who were subsequently charged with child pornography offenses, to send him photos depicting the sexual abuse of infants and prepubescent children. One such woman subsequently pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing, a second is scheduled to plead guilty on Dec. 21, both in the Northern District of Illinois, and charges against a third woman were dismissed in the Northern District of Indiana because she died during the course of the prosecution.

In an interview with the FBI, Johnson admitted that he had also solicited the production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from other Facebook users as a means of blackmail. Evidence presented at trial showed Johnson asked one woman to produce CSAM so he could “hold something over her head.” In addition, Facebook records admitted into evidence showed Johnson discussing the sexual abuse of children with his co-conspirators and threatening to “expose” them if they did not agree to produce CSAM.

Johnson was previously convicted in 2009 in Illinois of aggravated sexual abuse involving a minor.

“As the jury unanimously found, Lorenzo Johnson repeatedly persuaded vulnerable women to sexually exploit infants and young children,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s sentence sends a strong message that offenders who target vulnerable members of our society, and especially children, will be brought to justice.”

“Lorenzo Johnson’s criminal conduct merits the lengthy sentence that the judge imposed today,” said U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana. “Manipulating vulnerable women into producing pornographic images of voiceless children is despicable criminal behavior. I want to thank all our law enforcement partners for their hard work rendering justice in this case.”

“This sentence demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to identifying sexual predators and investigating these type of cases with a sense of urgency to ensure those who victimize our most vulnerable members of society pay the price with time in prison,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office. “As a result of the tireless work of the FBI and our law enforcement partners, Johnson no longer poses a threat to the community.”

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Trial Attorney Eduardo Palomo of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly Kelley and Abizer Zanzi of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana prosecuted the case, with valuable assistance provided by former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, Jill Koster.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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An Indiana man was sentenced today to 50 years in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for using social media to produce child pornography.

Lorenzo Johnson, 33, of Hammond, was convicted on Aug. 16 by a federal jury of three counts of conspiring to produce child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Johnson used Facebook accounts in the names of others to identify women with access to children who appeared to be experiencing financial difficulties. Johnson, a registered sex offender, offered those women money to take sexually explicit photos of infants and prepubescent children whom they knew, and successfully persuaded three such women, who were subsequently charged with child pornography offenses, to send him photos depicting the sexual abuse of infants and prepubescent children. One such woman subsequently pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. A second is scheduled to plead guilty on Dec. 21. Both women are pleading guilty in the Northern District of Illinois, and charges against a third woman were dismissed in the Northern District of Indiana because she died during the course of the prosecution.

In an interview with the FBI, Johnson admitted that he had also solicited the production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from other Facebook users as a means of blackmail. Evidence presented at trial showed Johnson asked one woman to produce CSAM so he could “hold something over her head.” In addition, Facebook records admitted into evidence showed Johnson discussing the sexual abuse of children with his co-conspirators and threatening to “expose” them if they did not agree to produce CSAM.

Johnson was previously convicted in 2009 in Illinois of aggravated sexual abuse involving a minor.

“As the jury unanimously found, Lorenzo Johnson repeatedly persuaded vulnerable women to sexually exploit infants and young children,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s sentence sends a strong message that offenders who target vulnerable members of our society, and especially children, will be brought to justice.”

“Lorenzo Johnson’s criminal conduct merits the lengthy sentence that the judge imposed today,” said U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana. “Manipulating vulnerable women into producing pornographic images of voiceless children is despicable criminal behavior. I want to thank all our law enforcement partners for their hard work rendering justice in this case.”

“This sentence demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to identifying sexual predators and investigating these type of cases with a sense of urgency to ensure those who victimize our most vulnerable members of society pay the price with time in prison,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office. “As a result of the tireless work of the FBI and our law enforcement partners, Johnson no longer poses a threat to the community.”

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Trial Attorney Eduardo Palomo of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly Kelley and Abizer Zanzi of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana prosecuted the case, with valuable assistance provided by Jill Koster, former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

SOUTH BEND – Antonio Wells, 32 years old, of Mishawaka, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Robert L. Miller after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents in the case, in April of 2021, Wells was on the grounds of a hospital in South Bend when he tried to hide a loaded firearm in a hospital parking garage. Wells has several prior convictions for firearms-related offenses, including for firing a gun at an occupied car.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Schultz.

This case is 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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FORT WAYNE – Stephen Jacob Lee Johnson, 49 years old, of Mishawaka, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possession  with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Johnson was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, on October 5, 2019, Officers in LaGrange, Indiana attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a motorcycle driven by Johnson. However, Johnson led the Officers on a high-speed chase at speeds over 100 miles per hour before crashing his motorcycle over an embankment. In a search incident to arrest, Officers found a one-pound package of methamphetamine in Johnson’s coat pocket. At the time of this incident, Johnson had a prior conviction for Robbery, a serious violent felony.  

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the LaGrange Police Department and the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah E. Nokes and Stacey Speith.

 

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HAMMOND- Dorian L. Hall, 47, of Gary, Indiana was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon today following his June 2021 guilty plea for aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return and filing a false tax return, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Hall was sentenced to 39 months in prison, 1 year of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $1,053,549.95 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

According to court documents, Hall operated a tax return preparation business from 2014-2016.  He prepared tax returns for clients in which he fabricated income numbers to maximize the Earned Income Tax Credit and provided false information to obtain a refundable education credit.  By falsifying returns in this manner, Hall’s clients received tax refunds from the IRS in excess of what they were entitled to receive.  Hall charged a fee for preparing each return, typically around $1,000. 

During the 2014-2016 timeframe, Hall filed over 300 fraudulent tax returns, including his own.  He received hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees for the returns he filed and he also did not declare that income to the IRS.  Hall’s conduct caused a loss to U.S. taxpayers of over $1,000,000.   

Hall had previously pled guilty to criminal tax charges in November 2015 and was sentenced in April 2016.  After learning that he was under investigation by the IRS, he opened 15 new bank accounts to support his tax preparation activities while claiming to have ceased his operations.  After being sent to prison, the IRS uncovered his additional tax preparation activities, resulting in the new charges and the sentence imposed today.

This case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra McTague.

 

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FORT WAYNE – Antonio Armour, 34 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl and fentanyl analogue and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Armour was sentenced to 211 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, on June 15, 2021, law enforcement served a federal search warrant at Armour’s Fort Wayne residence, from which he had sold narcotics on multiple occasions. During the search, officers found over 100 grams of methamphetamine and over 300 grams of a substance containing fentanyl and an analogue of fentanyl. Officers located several loaded firearms in the residence, including multiple 9 mm handguns, an AK-style pistol and an AR-15 rifle. Officers located other items consistent with drug dealing activity, including plastic baggies, multiple digital scales, a cutting agent, several cell phones and $75,000 in U.S. currency. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Fort Wayne Police Department, Indiana State Police and Allen County Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Geller and Sarah Nokes.

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- Taniya Williams, 22, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon DeGuilio after pleading guilty to the felony offense of making false statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Williams was sentenced to 5 months in prison, 5 months home detention and 1 year of supervised release. 

According to documents in the case, on November 12, 2020, Williams purchased a semi-automatic pistol from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Lake County, Indiana.  At the time of the purchase, Williams, a Chicago resident under felony indictment for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, falsely stated that she was an Indiana resident and that she did not have any pending felony charges against her.  These false statements were in violation of federal law.  Williams was subsequently convicted of felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in Illinois. 

This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives along with 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.

HAMMOND- Denear Scott, 32, of East Chicago, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to making false statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Scott was sentenced to 12 months in prison followed by 1 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, between May and December 2020, Scott purchased a total of 13 handguns from licensed firearms dealers in Lake County, Indiana.  In each of the transactions, Scott falsely certified on federal forms that he was not an unlawful drug user, when, in fact, Scott regularly used marijuana.  Two of the firearms purchased by Scott were recovered by the Chicago Police Department during traffic stops of other individual within six months of the date of purchase.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Chicago Police Department, the East Chicago Police Department, and the New 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.