Northern District of Indiana

WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice announced today that it has awarded more than $17.5 million in grants to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. Funding will support efforts across the country to address violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute was awarded $135,586 to administer PSN grant funds in the Northern District of Indiana.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), part of the department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will administer the 88 grant awards, which are being made to designated fiscal agents to support local PSN projects that work in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.

“This latest Project Safe Neighborhoods grant is critical to addressing the violent crime threatening cities and towns all across our country,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Ensuring the safety of all Americans is the highest priority for the Department of Justice, but when it comes to violent crime, there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. We have to work closely with local public safety agencies as well as community organizations to craft individual strategies unique to each community’s needs. Programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods and the funding it provides allow us to do just that.”

"The Department of Justice directed all U.S. Attorney Offices to focus efforts on the reduction of violent crime," said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.  "The appropriated Project Safe Neighborhoods funding will assist local communities in gun and gang violence reduction initiatives."

Grant funds will support regional violent crime reduction and community building initiatives.  These initiatives will be focused on firearm and gang related violence. With approval from BJA, the Fiscal Agent will begin the process of making subawards for PSN grant projects.

“Investing in our communities, supporting victims and building a justice system that both keeps people safe and earns their trust – these are mutually reinforcing goals that stand at the heart of Project Safe Neighborhoods,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon for OJP. “The Office of Justice Programs is pleased to join with our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, and with jurisdictions across the country, as we work together to meet the challenges of crime and violence and achieve our shared aspirations of public safety and community trust.”

In May 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced a new effort to reduce violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. Integral to that effort was the reinvigoration of PSN, a two-decade old evidence-based and community-oriented program focused on reducing violent crime. The updated PSN approach, outlined in the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime issued by Deputy Attorney General Monaco, is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.

This fall, U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country have enhanced their violent crime reduction efforts to ensure alignment with the department’s comprehensive violent crime reduction strategy. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices have engaged in outreach to law enforcement and other agencies and organizations serving communities to identify the most significant drivers of violence in their districts. Working together with a broad coalition of stakeholders, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are addressing the most pressing violent crime issues in their district to make our neighborhoods safer for all.

PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies, community stakeholders and other agencies and organizations that work to reduce violent crime.

For a list of all grantees, please visit: LINK HERE.

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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.

HAMMOND- Deshalon France, 30, of East Chicago, 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.

France was sentenced to 57 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release. 

According to documents in the case, on November 4, 2020, France was stopped by the East Chicago Police Department during an investigation of shots fired in the area.  At the time, France possessed a stolen nine-millimeter, semi-automatic pistol loaded with thirty-three rounds of ammunition in an extended magazine.  France had previously been convicted of the felony offenses of fraud and attempted trafficking of contraband in a penal institution.  In addition, his criminal history revealed that he had two prior misdemeanor convictions for carrying a handgun without a license and three prior misdemeanor convictions for resisting law enforcement.         

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Indiana HIDTA Task Force, and the East Chicago Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by 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 – Ronya Phillips, age 47, of Goshen, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty upon her plea of guilty to two counts of suborning perjury, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. 

Phillips was sentenced to serve 18 months home detention.

According to documents in this case, Phillips was formerly a bankruptcy petition preparer (a “BPP”) in the Northern District of Indiana.  In that capacity she prepared bankruptcy petitions and other documents for debtors who filed cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana.

As part of her guilty plea, Phillips admitted that she willfully suborned and procured individuals to commit perjury by submitting materially false declarations in federal bankruptcy proceedings. Certain debtors and clients of Phillips reported that she had induced them to falsely state on their bankruptcy documents that they had paid her half of the amount they had actually paid her for her services. Phillips also persuaded her clients to testify falsely under oath as to how much they had paid her when questioned by the bankruptcy trustee.  Finally, Phillips herself submitted false sworn statements in disclosures which only disclosed half of the amount of money she actually had received from clients.

“The U.S. Attorney’s office will vigorously enforce federal laws that govern the conduct of persons participating in the bankruptcy system and, as this case shows, we will prosecute individuals whose conduct undermines the integrity of the bankruptcy process,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.  

“Abuse of the bankruptcy system by having consumers falsify documents and provide false testimony strikes at the very core of the integrity of the bankruptcy system, undermines public confidence in that system and is a practice against which consumers need to be protected,” stated Nancy J. Gargula, U.S. Trustee for Indiana, Central Illinois, and Southern Illinois.  “I am grateful to U.S. Attorney Clifford Johnson and our law enforcement partners for their strong commitment to combating fraud and abuse in bankruptcy cases.”

The charges resulted from a referral by the U.S. Trustee for Indiana and Central and Southern Illinois (Region 10) to the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana. The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service in collaboration with the Northern Indiana Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group coordinated by the U.S. Trustee for Region 10.   This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke N. Reilander and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer W. Prokop from the U.S. Trustee’s Office.

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FORT WAYNE – Larson Wuest, 30 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents in this case, in February of 2019, Wuest began chatting with an FBI Online Covert Employee (OCE) using various social media platforms.  During their communications, Wuest sent nude photographs of a twelve-year-old girl to the OCE. The investigation later revealed that Wuest previously met this girl on another social media platform and had persuaded and enticed her to take the photographs and send them to him.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.

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FORT WAYNE – Fredrick J. Morgan, Sr., 65 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to distribution of cocaine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Morgan Sr. was sentenced to 90 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on or about August 30, 2019, Morgan Sr. distributed 28 grams or more of crack cocaine to assist his co-defendant, son (Fredrick Morgan II) who was on home detention at the time. 

Co-defendant, Fredrick Morgan II, was sentenced on November 9, 2021, to 30 years in prison. 

This case was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of multiple local law enforcement agencies, including the Indiana State Police, Allen County Sheriff’s Department, Allen County Drug Task Force, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Huntington Police Department, Auburn Police Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacey R. Speith and Brent A. Ecenbarger.

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- Torrence Larry, 44, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was convicted of federal drug and gun charges on December 2, 2021, following a three-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, in May and June of 2017, Larry sold cocaine and heroin from his residence while under investigation by law enforcement.  In June of 2017, officers served a search warrant at Larry’s residence and located quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine.  Officers also found additional evidence of drug dealing and a firearm possessed by Larry to facilitate and protect his drug trafficking. 

Larry was convicted of all three dealing counts, as well as the single count for possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances.  Larry was convicted of both gun charges.  He was  convicted of possession of a firearm based upon his previous armed bank robbery conviction in federal court and his state drug dealing conviction.  The jury also found Larry guilty of possessing the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking offense. 

Larry’s sentencing is scheduled for March 16, 2022.  Any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the District Court Judge after consideration of federal sentencing 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, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratory, and the Indiana State Police Laboratory.  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.

HAMMOND – Jessica Guska (a/k/a Jessica Irvine, Jessica Brewer, Jessica Carrington and Jessica Hoggard), 43, Portage, Indiana was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio upon her plea of guilty to wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Guska was sentenced to 4 months in prison followed by 4 months home detention and 2 years of supervised release.  She was also ordered to pay $29,490.34 in restitution to the victim of her offense. 

According to documents in this case, Guska was the president of Cedar Lake-based Riptide Travel Softball, a competitive softball club for girls.   Guska was responsible for managing Riptide Travel Softball’s finances.  From August 2018, until approximately October 2019, Guska embezzled money meant for Riptide Travel Softball and used it to pay her personal expenses, including health care costs, air travel, vacations and property taxes. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Cedar Lake Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Molly Kelley and Diane Berkowitz.

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HAMMOND- Patricia Carrington, 48, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to kidnapping, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Carrington was sentenced to 210 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on the night of April 14, 2019, Carrington participated in the kidnapping of a woman hoping to elicit information concerning the whereabouts of a witness in her son’s upcoming criminal case.  Carrington participated in forcing the victim into a car at gunpoint, blindfolding and duct-taping her, and driving her around.  The victim was beaten and threatened when she would not provide the information.  The victim was thereafter dragged from the car to an area behind a house where she was shot in the face and arm and left for dead.  The victim survived the attack.             

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Gang Response Investigative Team with the assistance of the Gary Police Department, Indiana State Police, and Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas Mahoney and Michael 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 – Richard Klaff, 48 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents in the case, Klaff distributed several ounces of methamphetamine in February 2020, and again in March of 2020.     

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.

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SOUTH BEND – Jason Cochran, 44 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Cochran was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in the case, on January 27, 2021, Cochran possessed over 50 grams of methamphetamine that he intended to distribute and had a large amount of cash. Cochran has three prior felony convictions and eight misdemeanor convictions.

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

SOUTH BEND – Andre Neal, 44 years old, of Zion, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to interstate travel in aid of racketeering, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents in the case, on July 23, 2020, Neal transported cocaine in interstate commerce in addition to over $100,000.00 cash from drug distribution activities.  Neal has two prior felony convictions.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Domestic Highway Enforcement Group (DHE) and the Hobart Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer.

SOUTH BEND – Steven Polito, 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.

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

According to documents in the case, in April 2021, Polito possessed several firearms after having been previously convicted of a felony. One of those firearms was a semi-automatic capable of accepting a high-capacity magazine.

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 Frank E. Schaffer.

This case was prosecuted as part of the South Bend Group Violence Intervention Program, a Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative (PSN).  The PSN Program is 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- Terryante Flournoy, 23, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon following his guilty plea arising out of Hobbs Act robbery offenses, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Flournoy pled guilty to attempted robbery affecting commerce and conspiracy to commit robbery affecting commerce. Flournoy, who possessed a firearm during the attempted Hobbs Act robbery and who, at that time, had prior felony convictions for theft and battery by bodily waste, also pled guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. 

Flournoy was sentenced to 420 months (35 years) in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in the case, on November 24, 2019, in Gary, Indiana, Flournoy and his co-defendant planned the armed robbery of a pizza delivery driver by ordering a pizza to be delivered to a nearby abandoned house.  When the delivery driver arrived Flournoy and his co-defendant approached his vehicle to commit the robbery.  During the attempted robbery, Flournoy fired a shot from an AR-15 style rifle at the delivery man, striking and killing him.  Flournoy and his co-defendant fled the crime scene without completing the planned robbery.

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Gang Response Investigative Team, the Gary Police Department, and the Lake County Metropolitan Homicide Unit, with the assistance of the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick and 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 – George T. Oliver, Jr., 39 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to theft of mail, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Oliver was sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in early 2021, Oliver was apprehended after a brief pursuit with law enforcement.  At the time of his apprehension, law enforcement recovered 269 pieces of stolen mail from 236 different victims. 

This case was investigated by the United Postal Inspection Service with the assistance of multiple local law enforcement agencies, including the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, and the Columbia City Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brent Ecenbarger.

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HAMMOND- Michael Christianson, 52, of LaPorte, Indiana, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon upon his plea of guilty to three counts of transporting obscene materials, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Christianson was sentenced to 180 months (15 years) in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in this case, between on or about June 22, 2019, and July 2, 2019, Christianson used a computer to submit three books that contained obscene content to a publisher in North Carolina.  Specifically, the books Christianson had authored, contained photos of children’s genitals and children engaged in sexual activity. 

Christianson authored the books while being a registered sex offender.  He was previously convicted of child molestation in LaPorte County, Indiana in 2003, for sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy.  In his pro se filings with this Court, Defendant proclaimed himself to be a “virtuous pedosexual”.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Kelley and former Northern District of Indiana Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Koster.  

WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice today announced more than $139 million in grant funding through the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The awards provide direct funding to 183 law enforcement agencies across the nation, allowing those agencies to hire 1,066 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. In the Northern District of Indiana three (3) cities/towns were awarded funding totaling $370,639.

“We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The grants we are announcing today will enable law enforcement agencies across the country to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vitally important community oriented policing programs.”

“The awards announced today will benefit residents of the Northern District by putting additional officers on the street,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

The following city and towns in the Northern District of Indiana received awards:

• City of Crown Point in Lake County received $125,000;
• Town of Cedar Lake in Lake County received $125,000; and
• Town of LaPaz, in Marshall County received $120,369.

CHP is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Of the 183 agencies awarded grants today, approximately half will use the funding to focus on building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 41 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 21 will focus on other areas of violence; and 19 will focus CHP resources on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting police-based responses to persons in crisis. The complete list of awards can be found here.  

Since its creation in 1994, COPS 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. CHP, COPS’ flagship program, continues to be in demand today: In FY21, COPS received 590 applications requesting nearly 3,000 law enforcement positions. For FY22, President Biden has requested $537 million for CHP, an increase of $300 million.

To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp-award. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/.  

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 organization 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.

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FORT WAYNE – Mark A. Holbrook, II, 43 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm by felon, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Holbrook was sentenced to 300 months (25 years) in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on July 26, 2018, Holbrook was stopped by the Warsaw Police Department for a traffic infraction.  At that time, Holbrook was in possession of over 17 grams of methamphetamine in individual bags, along with scales.  Thereafter, on March 23, 2019, Holbrook was stopped by the Winona Lake Police Department and at that time was in possession of over 6 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm.  Holbrook admitted to officers that he was selling drugs to make a living. 

Holbrook had previously been convicted of several felony offenses, including Burglary, Theft, Criminal Recklessness, Possession of Chemical Reagents or Precursors with the Intent to Manufacture, Dealing in Methamphetamine, Conspiracy to Commit Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Criminal Gang Activity, making his possession of a firearm illegal.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with multiple local law enforcement agencies, including the Warsaw Police Department, the Winona Lake Police Department, and the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force.  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 – Jonathan L. Wells, 48 years old, of Hicksville, Ohio, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a felon, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents in the case, on May 10, 2020, Wells was pulled over by law enforcement.  During that stop, the officer saw baggies of drugs in plain view, which were later confirmed to contain 23 grams of methamphetamine.  Wells had over $1,000 cash on his person despite being unemployed since 2012. Text messages found on Wells’ phone confirmed his drug dealing activities.  Officers also located a loaded .40 caliber handgun under Wells’ seat and he admitted to being a convicted felon.  Wells criminal history reveals he has been convicted of prior offenses involving drugs, violence and property crimes. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with the assistance of the Butler Police Department and the Auburn Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah Nokes and Brent Ecenbarger.

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- Austin Williams, 28, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm,  announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents in the case, on November 18, 2020, in Hobart, Indiana, law enforcement executed a search warrant on a residence and recovered a firearm possessed by Williams at that residence.  Williams has prior felony convictions for intimidation, dealing in a controlled substance, and attempted theft.  His criminal history reveals he also has six prior misdemeanor convictions, to include domestic battery, possession of a controlled substance, and visiting a common nuisance.       

This case was the result of the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Gang Response Investigative Team and the Hobart 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.

FORT WAYNE –United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty sentenced a fourth member of “2500,” a Fort Wayne street gang, for committing violent crimes in aid of racketeering, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.  These charged violent crimes were committed during 2500’s “beef,” or ongoing dispute, with a rival Fort Wayne street gang.  In committing these crimes, 2500 members were assisted by “Grit Gang,” a street gang based in Bloomington, Indiana.

This fourth gang member, Demetri D. Beachem, 27 of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced to 288 months (24 years) in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.   

According to documents in this case, gang members of 2500 and Grit Gang were engaged in drug and firearms trafficking and were responsible for violent criminal gang activity.  On October 4, 2014, the defendants received an insulting video, posted on social media, from rival gang members. In reaction to this post, they located rival gang members at a residence in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Upon seeing their rivals exiting the house, the defendants began shooting, striking that house and a neighboring house with gunfire.  Defendants fired approximately 50 rounds, endangering the lives of people in both houses and many bystanders.   One person, in fact, suffered a minor wound.

All four defendants entered pleas of guilty to two counts of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering; one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering; and three counts of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  The other members sentenced were:

William D. Beamon, aka “Lil’ Will,” 28, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, who was sentenced to a total of 360 months (30 years) in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release;

Kyombe D. Bolden, “aka Pudge,” 30, of Bloomington, Indiana, who was sentenced to a total of 324 months (27 years) in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release; and

Ronnie D. Burrus, “aka Ronnie Robinson, Ronnie Burris and Yung Ron,” 28, of Fort Wayne and Bloomington, Indiana, who was sentenced to a total of 360 months (30 years) in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.

“The Attorney General has instructed U.S. Attorneys to prosecute violent criminals who, too often, imperil the lives and safety of law-abiding citizens.  This prosecution shows that this Office will vigorously prosecute persons who commit violent crimes in the Northern District of Indiana”, said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

“This defendant and his fellow gang members terrorized innocent community members through their violent activity and this sentence not only makes clear the serious consequences of participating in gang activity, but also ensures their reign of terror is over,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan. “It also should send a clear message that if you are peddling guns and drugs in our communities, the FBI and our partners are coming for you.”

This multi-agency investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force in Fort Wayne, which includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Allen County Police Department, the Fort Wayne Police Department, and the Indiana State Police. Also assisting with this investigation were the Bloomington Police Department, the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division, and the Fort Wayne Police Department’s Detective Bureau and Gang and Violent Crimes Unit. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony W. Geller and Stacey R. Speith.

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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SOUTH BEND- Keith Kelly, 49, of Chicago, Illinois was indicted on three counts of bank robbery, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. 

According to the charging documents, Kelly is alleged to have robbed the same South Bend, Indiana bank three times over an approximate two-month period: August 23, September 10, and October 25 of 2021. As Kelly tried to get away from the final robbery, he was caught with the stolen cash from that robbery. 

This case is a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly L. Schultz.

An indictment is merely an allegation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. 

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.

FORT WAYNE – Fredrick Morgan, II, 42 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Morgan II was sentenced to 360 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, between May 6, 2019 and August 26, 2020, Morgan II was the leader of a conspiracy to distribute significant amounts of controlled substances.  Morgan II maintained multiple stash houses to store narcotics, facilitated the sale of firearms and encouraged members of his conspiracy to possess firearms during their possession and distribution of narcotics. 

Morgan II has two previous convictions for Dealing Cocaine and was on Court supervision when he began the conspiracy to distribute drugs.   

This case was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of multiple local law enforcement agencies, including the Indiana State Police, Allen County Sheriff’s Department, Allen County Drug Task Force, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Huntington Police Department, Auburn Police Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacey R. Speith and Brent A. Ecenbarger.

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 – Daviae O'Shay McKinstry, 25 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. 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.

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

According to documents in the case, McKinstry’s DNA was discovered on a firearm that was found near the scene of a crime in Elkhart, Indiana on November 3, 2018. One of McKinstry’s prior felony convictions includes a battery for his involvement in a shooting incident.

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

This case was prosecuted as part of the South Bend Group Violence Intervention Program, a Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative (PSN).  The PSN Program is 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- George McKown, 70, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was convicted Friday, October 29, 2021, after a 5-day jury trial before United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

According to documents in the case, McKown was charged with conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud.  George McKown and co-defendant, Richard Gearhart, sold securities to people who invested their traditional retirement accounts, pensions, annuities, and cash with the defendants’ company, Asset Preservation Specialists.  McKown and Gearhart promised investors a six to eight percent return on their investment and ensured liquidity. McKown and Gearhart provided investors fraudulent monthly statement showing positive returns on their investments when, in reality, they were actually losing money.  Without the investors’ knowledge or consent, McKown and Gearhart used investors’ money to fund various business ventures in which McKown, Gearhart, or both had an interest.  The loss to the investors was over five million dollars. 

In July 2021, Gearhart pled guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay more than $5.3 million in restitution.  McKown’s sentencing is scheduled for February 8, 2022.  Any specific sentence to be imposed, will be determined by the judge after consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. 

This case was the result of a joint investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Indiana Secretary of State Securities Division.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Toi D. Houston and Thomas M. McGrath. 

HAMMOND- Ralph Mendez, 47, 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 Dragons Nation street gang, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Mendez was sentenced to 204 months of in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, Mendez, a Latin Dragon since approximately 1995, engaged in trafficking firearms, cocaine, and marijuana on behalf of the gang.  He fought rival gang members, ordered beatings of gang members for rule violations, and recruited a former member to rejoin the gang.  He illegally possessed firearms in furtherance of gang activity, and in 2017 he drove another Latin Dragon member from Hammond to a rival gang neighborhood in Chicago where the other member shot at two individuals, believing they were rival gang members.  Mendez has prior felony convictions for murder, armed robbery, possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.   

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria N. Lerner, Michael J. Toth, and Kevin F. Wolff, with prior assistance from former 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.

FORT WAYNE – Jeffrey J. Moriarity, 42, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced before United States District Judge Holly A. Brady, upon his plea of guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and armed drug trafficking, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. 

Moriarity was sentenced to 324 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.   

According to documents in this case, Moriarity sold methamphetamine, heroin, and a sawed-off shotgun in May of 2018 to law enforcement officials.  In June of 2018, agents and officers executed a search warrant at Moriarity’s residence in Fort Wayne. During the search of his residence, agents seized methamphetamine and other controlled substances, a loaded pistol and ammunition, and additional evidence of drug trafficking.  Moriarity was not home but when located by police, he fled and led officers on a high-speed vehicle pursuit.  Officers arrested Moriarity and recovered methamphetamine that had been tossed from the vehicle during the pursuit. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); the Fort Wayne Police Department; the Indiana State Police; the Allen County Drug Task Force; and the Allen County Sheriff’s Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony W. Geller and Brent A. Ecenbarger.  

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 – Armand White, 34 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to brandishing a firearm during a robbery, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

White was sentenced to 300 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in the case, in November of 2019, White and another individual robbed a tobacco store at gunpoint. They ordered the store clerk to lay on ground or be shot, while they stole cigarettes and money from the cash register. At the time of the commission of the offense, White was on supervised release for a prior federal conviction for bank robbery and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Mishawaka and South Bend Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Schultz.

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- Fifteen members and associates of the Sin City Deciples have been charged in a Superseding Indictment with a racketeering conspiracy as well as a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.  A sixteenth individual has been charged in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.   

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

The fifteen defendants charged with racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances are: Ronnie Ervin Major a/k/a “Black,” 51, of Gary, Indiana; Antoine Jermell Gates a/k/a “Twan,” 44, of Gary, Indiana; Kenneth Christopher McGhee a/k/a “Sonny” and “Angel,” 72, of Merrillville, Indiana; Michael Castro Rivera a/k/a “Puerto Rican Mike,” 64, of Gary, Indiana; Douglas Sherman Blowers a/k/a “Profit,” 41, of Lake Station, Indiana; Daniel Richard Spanley a/k/a “Tattoo,” 42, of Hobart, Indiana; Roger Lee Ervin Burton a/k/a “Bo,” 52, of East Chicago, Indiana; James Ulrich Richardson a/k/a “Little Rick,” 52, of Crown Point, Indiana; Richard White a/k/a “Ignorant Bastard,” 54, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Brandon Romand Parks a/k/a “Baywatch,” 43, of Chicago, Illinois; Herman Troy Jefferson a/k/a “G-Rilla,” 49, of Jacksonville, Arkansas; David Lagrant Guy a/k/a “Fly Guy,” 51, of Merrillville, Indiana; Jessie Donald Willis a/k/a “Chip,” 57, of Portage, Indiana; Marvie D. Gardner a/k/a “Widowmaker,” 51, of Louisville, Kentucky; and Bernard Smith, a/k/a “Flirt” and “Preacher,” 59, of Gary, Indiana.  Daniel Richard Spanley a/k/a “Tattoo” is also charged with distribution of cocaine and possessing a firearm as a felon.   

The Superseding Indictment also charges Gregory Patrick Weldon a/k/a “Sugar Bear,” 53, of Hobart, Indiana, in the conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, in addition to charging him with distribution of cocaine. 

The initial Indictment alleged that Ronnie Ervin Major a/k/a “Black” and Antoine Jermell Gates a/k/a “Twan” engaged in murder for hire and used a firearm during and in relation to murder in connection with the December 19, 2010 murder of Jocelyn Blair.  Major and Gates remain charged with these crimes in the Superseding Indictment.

This Superseding Indictment was announced by Clifford D. Johnson, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, and Kristen de Tineo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. 

These charges are part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David J. Nozick, Michael J. Toth, and Thomas R. Mahoney. 

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.

A superseding indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. 

Terry Peck, 46, a former police officer with the Gary Police Department, was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Hammond, Indiana, for using excessive force against an arrestee.

The indictment charges Peck with a single count of deprivation of rights under color of law. Specifically, the indictment alleges that on March 19, 2019, Peck assaulted an arrestee, identified in the indictment only as R.H., by slamming his head into the side of a patrol vehicle. The indictment further alleges that the incident resulted in bodily injury to R.H.

If convicted of the deprivation of rights charge, Peck faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; actual sentences are often much lower than the statutory maximum. If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the Judge after a consideration of federal statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson of the Northern District of Indiana made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Chang of the Northern District of Indiana, Hammond Division, and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

SOUTH BEND – Edward Sanders, 48 years old, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

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

According to documents in the case, in January of 2020, Sanders was the passenger in a car and police found Sanders to be in possession of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and a revolver. Sanders was sentenced as a career offender based on his two prior convictions for dealing cocaine.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with the assistance of the Michigan City Police Department and Indiana State Police.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jerome McKeever and 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 – Franklin D. Wright, 30 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony offense, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Wright was sentenced to 62 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in the case, Wright was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by Fort Wayne Police for a traffic violation.  When officers approached the vehicle, Wright had his hands inside a bag which contained a Smith & Wesson handgun with an inserted loaded 50 round drum style magazine.  Wright was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a 2014 felony conviction for Carrying a Handgun without a License and a 2011 felony Battery conviction.

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

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.

HAMMOND- Rajesh Kanuru, of Chicago, Illinois, has been charged by way of an Indictment with wire fraud and embezzlement of a bankruptcy estate, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

According to documents in this case, Kanuru was an attorney with a practice located in Chicago, Illinois. It is alleged that from March 2012, and continuing through on or about August 2018,  Kanuru, with the intent to defraud, knowingly devised, intended to devise, and participated in a scheme to defraud and to obtain money by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises. It is alleged that the purpose of the scheme was to defraud his clients, their bankruptcy estate, the bankruptcy trustee, and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana and to obtain money for his own personal use and benefit. The total amount of this alleged fraud is $348,388.50.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an Indictment is merely an allegation, and that all persons are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the Judge after a consideration of federal statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The investigation is being conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service in collaboration with the Northern Indiana Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group, out of Region 10 of the Office of the United States Trustee. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorneys Luke Reilander and Jennifer Chang.

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HAMMOND- Clifford D. Johnson is officially the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana.  He was sworn in by Chief U.S. District Judge Jon E. DeGuilio this morning at the federal courthouse in Hammond. 

Clifford D. Johnson was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on July 26, 2021 and unanimously confirmed by the Senate on September 30, 2021 for the Northern District of Indiana United States Attorney position.  President Biden signed Mr. Johnson’s commission on October 5, 2021.

Mr. Johnson previously was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Indiana from 1986 to August 2020.  During his tenure with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Indiana, Mr. Johnson held numerous supervisory/management positions, including Chief of the Civil Division from 1997 to 2010 and twice serving as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney from (June 2010 to March 2017 and October 2017 to August 2020).  Mr. Johnson, pursuant to the Vacancy Reform Act, served as the District’s Acting U.S. Attorney from March 2017 to October 2017.  Before joining the United States Attorney’s Office in January 1986, Mr. Johnson was a Trial Attorney in the Employment Litigation Section of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C. from August 1980 to December 1985.

Mr. Johnson, a Gary, Indiana native, received his J.D. from Valparaiso University Law School in 1980 and his B.A. from Valparaiso University in 1976.

“I am looking forward to working hard on furthering the Office’s stated mission which is: To justly and with the highest degree of excellence represent the interests of the United States of America in execution of federal laws, to advance public interest, and to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all persons,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

SOUTH BEND – Lawrence Hansford, age 45, of Elkhart, Indiana was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after being convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm following a two-day jury trial in May of 2021, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay. 

Hansford was sentenced to 216 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, in February of 2020, Lawrence Hansford held several people hostage with a machete. When law enforcement responded, Hansford went to his camper and put the machete next to a 12-gauge shotgun inside. Law enforcement found both the 12-gauge shotgun and the machete in Hansford’s camper. Hansford’s prior convictions include battery resulting in bodily injury, second degree assault, burglary, and dealing methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the St. Joseph County Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jerome W. McKeever and Kimberly L. Schultz.  

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FORT WAYNE – Eric W. Johnson, age 40, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty to distribution of methamphetamine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tina Nommay.

Johnson was sentenced to 156 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, in February 2019, Mr. Johnson distributed more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Further, according to documents in the case, at the time of his arrest in August 2020, Johnson, a felon, also unlawfully possessed a firearm on his person.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department.  The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Nokes. 

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FORT WAYNE – Nathan Wilkes, age 39, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty upon his plea of guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tina Nommay.

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

According to documents in this case, while conducting a narcotics investigation, Fort Wayne Police detectives observed Wilkes driving a Jeep.  When officers attempted to stop Wilkes, he attempted to flee.  Wilkes was apprehended after a short pursuit.  While searching the Jeep, officers located 165 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana and a loaded handgun.   Wilkes has previous convictions dealing cocaine and for handgun offenses.

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

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FORT WAYNE- Kevin Hartleroad, 64, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, was convicted on the sole count of an Indictment charging him with attempted production of child pornography following a two day jury trial announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.

According to documents in this case, in February 2020, Hartleroad attempted to coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. 

Sentencing is scheduled for January 5, 2022.

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

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SOUTH BEND – Khalil Jackson, age 25, of Elkhart, Indiana was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after being convicted following a four-day trial in June 2021, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay. 

Jackson was sentenced to 480 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, a jury found Jackson guilty of various federal charges arising out of conduct involving human trafficking of a minor victim: specifically, Count 1 – sex trafficking of a minor, Count 2 – production of child pornography, Count 3 – transportation of child pornography, Count 4 – possession of child pornography, and Count 5 – cyberstalking.

“This conviction holds Jackson responsible for his reprehensible conduct targeting vulnerable youth whom he abused, exploited and groomed for sex trafficking for his own benefit,” said Acting US Attorney Tina Nommay.  “Today’s 40 year sentence imposed by the District Court reflects the seriousness of Jackson’s offense.  This case exemplifies the dedication by law enforcement and prosecutors in protecting the rights of the victims of human trafficking activity, and I commend them for their hard work and successful resolution of this case.” 

"It's imperative children are able to grow up without being offered for sale by adults who place a price tag on them and attempt to profit from their innocence,” said FBI Indianapolis Acting Special Agent in Charge Paul Holdeman. “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure we hold those who prey on our children accountable for their heinous actions.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the St. Joseph County Police Department and Elkhart Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John Maciejczyk, Kim Schultz, and Joel Gabrielse.  

SOUTH BEND – Bradley Burns, age 33, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty upon his pleas of guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay. 

Burns was sentenced to 336 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, between October of 2019, and February of 2020, Burns conspired to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine. Burns employed another individual to make cross-country drug trafficking trips for him between California and Indiana. In February of 2020 the other individual was stopped in Oklahoma on a return trip to Indiana with over 100 pounds of methamphetamine and a kilogram of heroin. Burns was expecting the methamphetamine to be delivered to his house when law enforcement executed a search warrant and found him to be in possession of multiple firearms, fentanyl, and other drug trafficking paraphernalia such as a money counter and a drug ledger.

This case was investigated Homeland Security Investigations (a component of the Department of Homeland Security) with the assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, South Bend Police Department (including its Strategic Focus and SWAT Units), St. Joseph County Police Department, St. Joseph County Cyber Crimes Unit, Indiana State Police, and Elkhart City Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Schultz.

HAMMOND- Mohammad Zaidan, 53, of Palos Heights, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon upon his guilty plea to wire fraud, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tina L. Nommay.

Zaidan was sentenced to 41 months in prison, 1 year of supervised release and ordered to pay $5,124,212.73 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

According to documents in the case, between December 2015, and November 2020, Zaidan devised a fraudulent scheme to acquire U.S. Department of Agriculture SNAP Benefits, commonly referred to as “food stamps” to which he was not entitled.  He engaged in the illegal trade of food stamp benefits for discounted amounts of cash at a store he owned in Gary, namely Tarrytown Food Mart.  The scheme involved “cash-back” to customers in exchange for a certain ratio of the total SNAP transaction. 

This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Secret Service and United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Chang and Molly Kelley.

HAMMOND- Marwan Kawar, 60, of Crown Point, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon upon his plea of guilty to mail fraud, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tina L. Nommay.

Kawar was sentenced to 60 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution to the victim of his offense in the amount of $397,223.29. 

According to documents in the case, from September 2012 until February 2019, Kawar devised a scheme to defraud his employer by creating, approving, and submitting payment for fraudulent purchase orders, invoices and shipping receipts in the name of a sham company that he created and controlled.  These invoices caused his employer to mail checks to his sham company for goods and services they never received. 

Kawar attempted to flee the country before his sentencing, but federal agents apprehended him at the O’Hare Airport before he could board the flight.  The cash he had in his possession at that time will go towards his restitution owed to the victim. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly Kelley and Diane Berkowitz.  

HAMMOND- Sergio Gutierrez, age 49, of Hobart, Indiana, has been charged by way of an Indictment with mail fraud, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tina L. Nommay.

According to documents in this case, it is alleged that Sergio Gutierrez devised a scheme that began around or about May 2015 and continued through December 2019 to defraud the Lake County Auditor’s Office by using other individuals to purchase properties through the Lake County Commissioners’ tax sales when Gutierrez, himself, was prohibited from doing so. The scheme enabled Gutierrez to obtain property without paying delinquent property taxes. As part of that scheme, Gutierrez caused notice to be deposited in the United States Mail, in violation of the federal mail fraud statute.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment is merely an allegation, and that all persons are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in court.

If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the Judge after a consideration of federal statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abizer Zanzi.   

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HAMMOND-Salvador Alvin, 26, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon following his guilty plea to possessing with intent to distribute cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.

Alvin was sentenced to 117 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release.  

According to documents filed in the case, between May and December 2019 in Hammond, Indiana, Alvin sold multiple ounces of cocaine and three firearms to a confidential informant.  Law enforcement then executed a search warrant on Alvin’s Hammond residence in December 2019 and recovered approximately five ounces of cocaine which Alvin intended to distribute and a firearm that Alvin possessed in furtherance of his drug trafficking offense.  Alvin has a prior felony conviction for criminal recklessness.          

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of 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.    

SOUTH BEND – Corey Harris, age 26, of Danville, Illinois was sentenced before United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio upon his plea of guilty to conspiracy to distribute over one kilogram of heroin, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay. 

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

According to documents in this case, Corey Harris conspired with multiple individuals to sell heroin in the South Bend and Mishawaka area.  During the investigation, purchases of heroin were made from members of the conspiracy on numerous occasions.  The conspirators used shared cellphones that customers called to arrange to purchase heroin, which involved over 80,000 contacts during the time of the conspiracy. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Joseph County Drug Investigations Unit, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office, Indiana State Police, South Bend Police Department, and Elkhart Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel Gabrielse and Molly E. Donnelly.

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FORT WAYNE – Lance Lombrana, 41, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been charged by way of a criminal complaint with armed credit union robbery, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tina L. Nommay. 

According to documents in this case, it is alleged that, on August 30, 2021, Lombrana entered the Three Rivers Federal Credit Union in Kendallville, approached a teller, and asked to speak with a manager. Once the manager arrived, Lombrana removed what appeared to be explosives with a timing device from a red and black bag. Credit union employees later advised law enforcement that they believed the device to be a bomb.  The suspect demanded cash which the manager obtained and provided to him.  Lombrana then left the credit union.  He was apprehended in Garrett, Indiana, a short time later by an Indiana State Police trooper and was taken into custody without incident.  

Noble County Prosecuting Attorney Jim Mowery added the following comments, “After consultation with the Kendallville Police Chief Waters and lead Detective Handshoe, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Fort Wayne, the decision has been made that the case against Lance Lombrana will be filed in U.S. federal court.”  According to Prosecutor Mowery, “The decision was not easy; when criminals victimize the citizens and communities in Noble County, I want to prosecute those criminals,” but, Mowery went on to say, “We have been provided information that has led me to the conclusion that the federal court is the more appropriate venue for this case.”

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that a complaint is merely an allegation, and that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the Judge after a consideration of federal statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana State Police, and the Kendallville Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.  

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HAMMOND-Roger Casillas, 29, of Lowell, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon to 92 months of imprisonment following his guilty plea to possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.

According to documents filed in the case, in March and April of 2016, in Hammond, Indiana, Roger Casillas sold three firearms, a laser sight, and multiple firearm magazines including a twenty-round magazine to a confidential informant and undercover law enforcement officer.  One of the firearms had an obliterated serial number.  At the time of the offense, Casillas had three prior felony convictions for theft, and he was on pretrial release for a felony intimidation charge for which he was subsequently convicted.        

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of 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.    

HAMMOND-Mary Cossey, age 54, of Munster, Indiana, entered a plea of guilty to one count of wire fraud before United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.

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 personal 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 Trustee and failed to disclose changes in her employment and income during her case. Cossey repaid most of her debt Individual A, while unsecured creditors received only 27% repayment for debts that were discharged in bankruptcy.  Under the terms of the plea agreement, Cossey will be required to pay $81,159.97 in restitution to the Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustee

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Internal Revenue Service in collaboration with the Northern Indiana Region 10 Office of the U.S. Trustee, Nancy J. Gargula. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abizer Zanzi and Thomas McGrath. 

FORT WAYNE – United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty sentenced three individuals,  members of  “2500,” a Fort Wayne street gang who engaged in drug and firearms trafficking with “Grit Gang,” a street gang based in Bloomington, Indiana, for committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tina L. Nommay.  

William D. Beamon, aka “Lil’ Will,” 28, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced to a total of 360 months (30 years) in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.

Kyombe D. Bolden, “aka Pudge,” 30, of Bloomington, Indiana, was sentenced to a total of 324 months (27 years) in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.

Ronnie D. Burrus, “aka Ronnie Robinson, Ronnie Burris and Yung Ron,” 28, of Fort Wayne and Bloomington, Indiana, was sentenced to a total of 360 months (30 years) in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.

In 2020, all three of these defendants entered pleas of guilty to two counts of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering; one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering; and three counts of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  A fourth defendant, Demetri D. Beachem, has also pled guilty and is currently scheduled for sentencing on November 12, 2021. 

“We will use all the tools we have as federal prosecutors to hold those involved in criminal activity accountable for their actions, including racketeering statutes.  Our goal, along with our federal, state and local partners, is to protect our communities from violent activity perpetuated by groups of individuals, especially those involved in closely associated street gangs or other criminal organizations. We wish to thank our law enforcement partners for their investigative efforts to bring to justice those individuals involved in criminal acts of violence in our community,” said Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.  

“This case was the first use of the federal racketeering statutes against street gangs in the Fort Wayne area and it will not be the last. Today’s sentences should send a strong message that criminal organizations such as the one the defendants were members of will not be tolerated in our communities, and the FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue our efforts to remove those who participate in this violent activity from our streets,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan.

According to documents in this case, gang members of 2500 and Grit Gang were engaged in drug and firearms trafficking and were responsible for violent criminal gang activity.  On October 4, 2014, the defendants received an insulting social media video from rival gang members, and they reacted by hunting down these rival gang members, locating them at a residence at the intersection of Caroline and Suttenfield Streets in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Upon seeing the rivals exit the house, the defendants began shooting, striking the house and a neighboring house with gunfire.  These individuals fired approximately 50 shots, exposing people in both houses to significant danger.  One victim suffered only a minor wound, but the dangerous actions of the defendants risked the lives of many innocent bystanders and children in both houses. 

This multi-agency investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force in Fort Wayne, which includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Allen County Police Department, the Fort Wayne Police Department, and the Indiana State Police. Also assisting with this investigation were the Bloomington Police Department, the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division, and the Fort Wayne Police Department’s Detective Bureau and Gang and Violent Crimes Unit. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony W. Geller and Stacey R. Speith.

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HAMMOND- Ricky Blaylock, age 60, of Riverside, IL and Jacqueline Blaylock Wisnewski, age 57, of Indianapolis, Indiana, were charged with bank fraud related to their theft of insurance proceeds held in trust accounts designated for the benefit of their eight-year-old grandchild.

According to the indictment, the insurance proceeds were derived from a life insurance policy held by the defendant’s son Jacob, an active-duty soldier, who passed away in late 2007.  Jacob’s will named his eight-year-old daughter as his sole heir.   Under the terms of his will, the assets of the estate were to be held in trust for his daughter until she was 21 years old.  The will designated Jacob’s parents, Ricky Blaylock as executor of the estate and Jacqueline Blaylock as the trustee. The only asset in Jacob’s estate was the $400,000 life insurance policy. The indictment alleges that defendants funneled part of the insurance proceeds into trust accounts designated for the benefit of their grandchild but then proceeded to deplete the accounts from March 2008 through 2011, without ever making a distribution to or for the benefit of the child.   

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment is merely an allegation, and that all persons are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in court.

If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the Judge after a consideration of federal statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane Berkowitz.   

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HAMMOND- Natasha Weeks, age 29, of East Chicago, Indiana, has been charged by way of an Indictment with wire fraud, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tina L. Nommay.

According to documents in this case, it is alleged that Ms. Weeks fraudulently obtained disaster-related benefits in the form of a Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan (SBI-EIDL) by falsely claiming to be an Illinois business owner of a hair salon allegedly located in Chicago Heights, Illinois.  It is alleged the business was called Weeks Hair Braiding/Weeks Hair Shop while no such business was found to have existed at the address identified on her application.  The loan was applied for from an IP address in East Chicago, Indiana.  It is alleged the application contained false statements and misrepresentations that the hair salon existed since 2017 and that Ms. Weeks owned the business since May 2020, employed 20 people and that her cost of goods sold was $150,000.  On July 7, 2020, Ms. Weeks received a $10,000 SBA EIDL loan because of her application.  Ms. Weeks is also charged with fraudulently seeking Arizona unemployment benefits despite never having lived or worked in that State.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment is merely an allegation, and that all persons are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in court.

If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the Judge after a consideration of federal statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, US Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane Berkowitz.   

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

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