Northern District of Indiana

FORT WAYNE – Shawn Norman, age 60, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty to distribution of 100 grams or more of heroin, a controlled substance, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Norman was sentenced to 151 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, in November 2013, Norman sold 125 grams of heroin to a confidential informant.  Norman was found by the Court to be a career offender, as he had two prior drug trafficking convictions in federal court out of Michigan and Indiana. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Safe Streets and Gang Task Force, whose members include the FBI, the Indiana State Police, the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department.  The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller. 

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FORT WAYNE – Jose Razo, age 46, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilogram of cocaine, 50 grams of methamphetamine and a 1 kilogram of heroin, and distribution of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Razo was sentenced to 262 months in prison with no supervision to follow, as he will be deported upon completion of his term of incarceration.

According to documents in this case, from January 2015 through July 2016, Razo was part of a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin.  Razo led this drug trafficking conspiracy which involved co-defendants, Carlos Silva-Ponce, Alan Chiprez-Garcia, Marco Garcia, Samuel Gemple and Patricia Quinones who have already been sentenced.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Safe Streets and Gang Task Force, whose members include the FBI, the Indiana State Police, the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service and the Allen County Drug Task Force.  The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Geller and Stacy Speith. 

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HAMMOND-Jason Cheek, 42, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after his plea of guilty to three counts of bank robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.    

Mr. Cheek was sentenced to 63 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $15,694 in restitution to the banks involved and $8,584.66 in restitution to a particular bank teller.   

According to documents in this case, between June 5, 2018, and July 31, 2018, Mr. Cheek robbed three banks: two in Michigan City, Indiana, and one in Portage, Indiana. 

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Portage Police Department and the Michigan City Police Department.  The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill R. Koster. 

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HAMMOND-Lajuan Fitzpatrick, 38, of Lake Station, Indiana, was convicted after a four-day jury trial before U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and discharging a firearm causing death during this drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.    

The evidence at trial showed that on December 2, 2013, in Gary, Indiana, Fitzpatrick and his co-conspirators attempted to rob individuals they believed were marijuana dealers. The co-conspirators intended to resell the marijuana. Fitzpatrick fired his gun as gunfire broke out during the course of the attempted robbery.  Ronaldo Correa, Jr., 22, who was coming to the aid of his victim neighbors, was shot to death. 

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, East Chicago Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Gary Police Department, Hammond Police Department, Lake County, Indiana, Sheriff’s Department and Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area officers and agents.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick and Caitlin Padula. 

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FORT WAYNE – Varnell Coe, age 28, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty to maintaining a drug involved premises, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Coe was sentenced to 117 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, in March 2018 both Mr. Coe and Brandon Buchanan were indicted for maintaining two premises that were used for the purpose of distributing controlled substances in Fort Wayne.  A search warrant was executed at these locations and during the search, investigators located a loaded .357 caliber revolver, fentanyl, crack cocaine, marijuana, hypodermic syringes, approximately $1000 in US currency, evidence of narcotics dealing, along with multiple calibers of ammunition and magazine for various firearms.  

Co-defendant Brandon Buchanan was sentenced to 117 months in prison for his role in this case in September 2019. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department and the Indiana State Police.  This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacey R. Speith and Anthony Geller.

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FORT WAYNE – Julian Hall Hurnes, age 30, of Chicago, Illinois was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Hurnes was sentenced to 65 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, on January 12, 2019, Hurnes was the driver of a vehicle stopped for a traffic violation. Upon speaking with Hurnes, the officer noticed an odor of marijuana and asked Hurnes about it. Hurnes offered to allow the officer to search the vehicle. The officer located a handgun --which had an extended magazine loaded with 24 bullets-- under the driver’s seat. Hurnes had prior felony drug and residential burglary convictions.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Wayne Police Department.  The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah E. Nokes. 

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SOUTH BEND – Shawn Fox, age 34, of South Bend was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr, upon his plea of guilty to three counts of bank robbery by force or violence, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Fox was sentenced to 137 months in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $10,197. 

According to documents in this case, starting in December 2018 and continuing through January 28, 2019, Mr. Fox was involved in the robbery of 4 banks, three in the South Bend area and one in Bronson, Michigan.  Fox was released from prison on October 19, 2018 from a previous bank robbery conviction.  He was on supervised release at the time of the robberies and has been convicted of 5 prior felony offenses with 2 of those being robbery convictions.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer. 

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SOUTH BEND – Marvin L. Bishop II, age 42, of Seminole, Oklahoma was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio, upon his plea of guilty to production of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Bishop was sentenced to 324 months in prison, 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $14,520 in restitution.  

“Children are among the most vulnerable of victims and do not have a voice in the hands of these predators,” said United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch, II.  “My Office will do everything we can to prosecute and seek lengthy sentences, such as the one today, for individuals who commit crimes against children.”

“Today’s sentence illustrates the commitment the FBI and our law enforcement partners have to protect our children from individuals such as Mr. Bishop who take advantage of their vulnerability,” said Special Agent in Charge Grant Mendenhall, FBI Indianapolis. “We will continue to work to identify and hold accountable those who would sexually exploit and perpetrate this disturbing crime against children who can’t protect themselves.”

According to documents in this case, Mr. Bishop was a long haul trucker.  In March of 2019, Mr. Bishop was chatting with an undercover officer about being sexually active with minor females.  He streamed a brief video of a minor performing oral sex on him.  The undercover officer was able to determine his location, and the FBI was able apprehend him and his victim in Rochester, Indiana within a few hours after the chatting began.

The case was investigated by the FBI with the assistance of the St. Joseph County Police Department and the Rochester, Indiana Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John M. Maciejczyk. 

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FORT WAYNE – Brandon J. Britt, age 33, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

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

According to documents in this case, on the evening of April 3, 2019, Britt was the passenger in a vehicle which was stopped for a traffic violation in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana. The officer conducting the traffic stop observed a handgun protruding from Britt’s pocket. The gun was loaded with a round in the chamber. Britt had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including Dealing in Cocaine or a Narcotic Drug, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon and Robbery.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Indiana State Police and the Fort Wayne Police Department.  The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah E. Nokes. 

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FORT WAYNE – William McCloud, age 69, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

McCloud was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, in October 2017, several controlled buys of crack cocaine were conducted with Mr. McCloud at his residence. A search warrant was subsequently obtained and executed on his residence where law enforcement located crack cocaine, multiple firearms and cash.  McCloud also has prior conviction in August of 1997 for Aiding in Dealing in Cocaine and a Narcotic Drug in Allen County Superior Court, where he was sentenced to 30 years.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of Allen County Police Department.  The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller. 

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Today, Attorney General William P. Barr announced the launch of Project Guardian, a new initiative designed to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws across the country. Specifically, Project Guardian focuses on investigating, prosecuting, and preventing gun crimes.

Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws have always been among the Department’s highest priorities. In order to develop a new and robust effort to promote and ensure public safety, the Department reviewed and adapted some of the successes of past strategies to curb gun violence. Project Guardian draws on the Department’s earlier achievements, such as the “Triggerlock” program, and it serves as a complementary effort to the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In addition, the initiative emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.

“Gun crime remains a pervasive problem in too many communities across America. Today, the Department of Justice is redoubling its commitment to tackling this issue through the launch of Project Guardian,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Building on the success of past programs like Triggerlock, Project Guardian will strengthen our efforts to reduce gun violence by allowing the federal government and our state and local partners to better target offenders who use guns in crimes and those who try to buy guns illegally.”

“Project Guardian will be a strong compliment to the Project Safe Neighborhoods program,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch, II.  “Our already close coordination with local prosecutors in firearms cases will be amplified to reduce gun violence in the District.  We will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute gun crime.”

“ATF has a long history of strong partnerships in the law enforcement community,” said Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Make no mistake, the women and men of ATF remain steadfast to our core mission of getting crime guns off of our streets. ATF and U.S. Attorneys nationwide will leverage these partnerships even further through enhanced community outreach initiatives and coordination with local, state, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to cut the pipeline of crime guns from those violent individuals who seek to terrorize our communities. Project Guardian will enhance ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence, to include identifying, investigating and prosecuting those involved in the straw purchases of firearms, lying on federal firearms transaction forms, and those subject to the mental health prohibition of possessing firearms.” 

Project Guardian’s implementation is based on five principles:

1. Coordinated Prosecution. Federal prosecutors and law enforcement will coordinate with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to consider potential federal prosecution for new cases involving a defendant who: a) was arrested in possession of a firearm; b) is believed to have used a firearm in committing a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime prosecutable in federal court; or c) is suspected of actively committing violent crime(s) in the community on behalf of a criminal organization.
    
2. Enforcing the Background Check System. United States Attorneys, in consultation with the Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in their district, will create new, or review existing, guidelines for intake and prosecution of federal cases involving false statements (including lie-and-try, lie-and-buy, and straw purchasers) made during the acquisition or attempted acquisition of firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees.
    
   Particular emphasis is placed on individuals convicted of violent felonies or misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, individuals subject to protective orders, and individuals who are fugitives where the underlying offense is a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; individuals suspected of involvement in criminal organizations or of providing firearms to criminal organizations; and individuals involved in repeat denials.
    
3. Improved Information Sharing. On a regular basis, and as often as practicable given current technical limitations, ATF will provide to state law enforcement fusion centers a report listing individuals for whom the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has issued denials, including the basis for the denial, so that state and local law enforcement can take appropriate steps under their laws.
    
4. Coordinated Response to Mental Health Denials. Each United States Attorney will ensure that whenever there is federal case information regarding individuals who are prohibited from possessing a firearm under the mental health prohibition, such information continues to be entered timely and accurately into the United States Attorneys’ Offices’ case-management system for prompt submission to NICS. ATF should engage in additional outreach to state and local law enforcement on how to use this denial information to better assure public safety. 
    
   Additionally, United States Attorneys will consult with relevant district stakeholders to assess feasibility of adopting disruption of early engagement programs to address mental-health-prohibited individuals who attempt to acquire a firearm. United States Attorneys should consider, when appropriate, recommending court-ordered mental health treatment for any sentences issued to individuals prohibited based on mental health.
    
5. Crime Gun Intelligence Coordination. Federal, state, local, and tribal prosecutors and law enforcement will work together to ensure effective use of the ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGICs), and all related resources, to maximize the use of modern intelligence tools and technology. These tools can greatly enhance the speed and effectiveness in identifying trigger-pullers and finding their guns, but the success depends in large part on state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners sharing ballistic evidence and firearm recovery data with the ATF.

Federal law enforcement represents only about 15% of all law enforcement resources nationwide. Therefore, partnerships with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the communities they serve are critical to addressing gun crime. The Department recognizes that sharing information with our state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners at every level will enhance public safety, and provide a greater depth of resources available to address gun crime on a national level.  

For more information on Project Guardian, see the Attorney General’s memorandum at: https://www.justice.gov/ag/project-guardian-memo-2019/download .

FORT WAYNE – Floyd Thomas, 41, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty, on his plea of guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II. 

Thomas was sentenced to 252 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, between November 13, 2013, and February 12, 2014, Thomas conspired with his named codefendants to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, namely 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.  Further, on February 12, 2014, Thomas possessed a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime.      

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration as well as the Warsaw Police Department, the Fort Wayne Police Department and the IMAGE Drug Task Force.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Geller.

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FORT WAYNE – Markell Palmer-Tate, 27 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting an attempted bank robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.

Palmer-Tate was sentenced to 188 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on April 11 2016, Palmer–Tate and his two co-defendants attempted to rob a First Source Bank in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In the weeks leading up to this attempted robbery, Palmer–Tate and his co-defendants had text message conversations about what bank to rob and on what date.  Palmer – Tate had requested time off from work for the day of the robbery.  Bank security video also captured Palmer – Tate casing the bank days before the robbery.  On the day of the planned robbery, a bank employee was kidnapped and pistol whipped by one of Palmer – Tate’s co-defendants. Another bank employee, who was in a separate vehicle, managed to drive off and eluded being kidnapped, Palmer-Tate drove evasively in an attempt to block that victim’s escape. That victim had to drive up an embankment to get away from Palmer-Tate’s attempts to trap her in the parking lot.  The abducted bank employee was eventually released.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Indiana State Police and its North Regional Laboratory, the Allen County Police Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.

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HAMMOND- Royal Ward, 35, of Robbins, Illinois, was sentenced before District Court Judge Philip P. Simon following his plea of guilty to possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Ward received a sentence of 57 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release. 

According to documents filed in this case, on July 8, 2018, in Merrillville, Indiana, Ward was arrested in possession of a nine millimeter firearm. Ward was previously convicted of the felony offense of aggravated battery on a government official.   

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and Merrillville Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. McGrath. 

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HAMMOND- Deborah Black, age 62, of Merrillville, Indiana, was charged by Information with one count of theft from a local government entity receiving federal funds, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch. 

According to the Information, between November 2016 and August 2017, Black was employed as the Executive Director of the Genesis Convention Center, a venue owned by the City of Gary, Indiana. The Information alleges that during this time, Black used her position to steal over $10,000 in cash from the Genesis Center.

The parties have entered into a plea agreement to resolve the criminal charge.  Under this signed plea agreement, which has been filed with the court, if accepted by the court, Black would be required to pay $16,421.80 in restitution to the City of Gary.

U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “My office will continue to aggressively prosecute instances of public corruption. Public officials are not above the law. I encourage anyone with information regarding official corruption to contact my office or the FBI”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office recently charged Victoria Wilson, Black’s coworker at the Genesis Center, with one count of theft from a local government entity for stealing money from the Genesis Center. Wilson entered a formal plea of guilty to her charge on September 17 and is awaiting sentencing.  In her plea agreement, Wilson agreed to pay $12,727 in restitution to the City of Gary.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an Information 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 sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of Indiana State Police and the Indiana State Board of Accounts.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abizer Zanzi.

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HAMMOND –Tanisha Banks of Merrillville, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Theresa Springmann after being convicted during a 4-day trial in January 2019.  She was convicted of conspiring to rob the United States Postal Service, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.    

Banks was sentenced to 90 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5595. 

According to documents in this case and evidence presented at trial, James Caffey conspired with Tanisha Banks and Leeroy Beck to rob the Tolleston Station Post Office in Gary, Indiana on August 3, 2017.  Tanisha Banks, a Postal Service employee with experience working at the Tolleston Station, provided the logistics for the robbery while her boyfriend, James Caffey, handled transportation to and from the robbery.  Together Banks and Caffey recruited the gunman, Leeroy Beck, who would actually carry out the robbery. At trial evidence was presented establishing that Caffey provided Beck with the handgun used during the robbery.  After holding two employees at gun point, Leeroy Beck stole money and mail from the Postal Service.  The cash was divided between the conspirators. 

James Caffey was sentenced on November 1, 2019 to 90 months in prison.  Leeroy Beck was sentenced on May 14, 2019 to 96 months in prison. 

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Gary Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Northern District of Indiana Assistant United States Attorneys Diane Berkowitz and Thomas McGrath.

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FORT WAYNE – Carlos Prado, 40 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to distribution of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.

Prado was sentenced to 70 months in prison.  He will be deported upon the completion of his sentence.

According to documents in the case, in July of 2016, Prado sold a confidential informant approximately 2 ounces of methamphetamine. 

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana State Police, the Allen County Police Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.

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HAMMOND –James Caffey, age 29, of Merrillville, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Theresa Springmann after being convicted during a 4-day trial in January 2019.  He was convicted of conspiring to rob the United States Postal Service, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.    

Caffey was sentenced to 90 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5595. 

According to documents in this case and evidence presented at trial, James Caffey conspired with Tanisha Banks and Leeroy Beck to rob the Tolleston Station Post Office in Gary, Indiana on August 3, 2017.  Tanisha Banks, a Postal Service employee with experience working at the Tolleston Station, provided the logistics for the robbery while her boyfriend, James Caffey, handled transportation to and from the robbery.  Together Banks and Caffey recruited the gunman, Leeroy Beck, who would actually carry out the robbery. At trial evidence was presented establishing that Caffey provided Beck with the handgun used during the robbery.  After holding two employees at gun point, Leeroy Beck stole money and mail from the Postal Service.  The cash was divided between the conspirators. 

Tanisha Banks is scheduled for sentencing on November 5, 2019.  Leeroy Beck was sentenced on May 14, 2019 to 96 months in prison. 

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Gary Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Northern District of Indiana Assistant United States Attorneys Diane Berkowitz and Thomas McGrath.

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HAMMOND- Sergio Garcia, Sr., 50, of Chicago, IL and Sergio Garcia, Jr., 30, of Lowell, IN were sentenced by US District Court Judge Philip Simon on their guilty pleas to conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

Garcia, Sr. was sentenced to serve 70 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $471,571.06 in restitution to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) and $3,862 in restitution to other victims of his crime.

Garcia, Jr. was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release and was ordered to pay $24,819.53 in restitution to HUD and $202.25 to other victims of his crime.

According to documents in the case, between January 1, 2011 and May 31, 2014, the Garcias conspired with others to engage in a scheme to defraud HUD and to obtain money and property by means of false pretenses, representations and promises.  The scheme involved contracting with HUD to buy more than 87 homes in Indiana and Illinois and attempting to sell them for a profit the same day. The purchase contracts the conspirators provided to HUD stated that they or one of their businesses were purchasing the properties as investors and would pay with cash or use other financing not involving FHA. To support their claimed ability to pay for the homes, the conspirators mailed fraudulent letters purporting to show that they or their company had access to the funds needed to complete each purchase.  Many of the letters purported to be written by a private venture capital business and falsely stated that the Garcias or their business held a line of credit of up to $500,000.00, when in fact, as the conspirators well knew: the letters were forged and counterfeited; the lines of credit referenced therein did not exist; and the signatures thereon were forged and unauthorized. 

Once under contract to purchase homes from HUD, the conspirators advertised the homes for subsequent resale and placed their own “for sale” signs at the homes. When the conspirators could not find a subsequent purchaser to buy the homes, they allowed their purchase contracts with HUD to expire and filed false liens on the homes for the full purchase price, impeding HUD’s ability to sell the homes to others. In some instances, the conspirators demanded money from would-be subsequent purchasers to release the false liens on the HUD-owned homes.   

“This sentencing serves as an example that when housing professionals defraud the system of rules sponsored by  HUD, the HUD Office of Inspector General will continue to partner with both the U. S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI to pursue those individuals to ensure the integrity of its federal housing programs.”

“If you attempt to defraud the system and violate public trust, we will find you, we will investigate you, and we will ensure you are held accountable for your illegal actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Grant Mendenhall, FBI Indianapolis. “Today’s sentence should serve as a warning to others that the FBI and our partners will continue to pursue those who would seek to blatantly commit fraud.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the HUD Office of Inspector General.  The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jill R. Koster.

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FORT WAYNE – Valentina Marinkovic, age 19, of  Baltimore, Maryland was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty upon her plea of guilty on a count of bank fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Marinkovic was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $78,120.73. 

According to documents in the case, on or about August 5, and continuing until on or about October 1, 2018, Marinkovic executed a scheme to defraud a federally insured financial institution.  Law enforcement had been investigating several reports of skimming devices being placed on bank and credit union ATMS as well as gas station credit card readers at gas pumps.  Skimming devices capture and store credit and debit card numbers of unsuspecting victims.  The device is subsequently removed and the information from the skimming device is used to produce fraudulent credit/debit cards for unauthorized transactions.

In this case, a credit union was victimized by having to reimburse members for losses exceeding $78,000. 

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Indiana State Police Organized Crime and Corruption Unit along with the Elkhart Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey Speith.

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FORT WAYNE – Mauricio Ramirez, age 25, Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

According to documents in this case, a confidential informant and an undercover agent made several controlled buys of heroin and cocaine from Mr. Dorrion Jefferson.  Jefferson also agreed to deliver four ounces of methamphetamine to the undercover agent.  On his way to deliver the methamphetamine to the undercover agent, Jefferson picked up Ramirez.  Ramirez entered the vehicle carrying a bag.  The vehicle was stopped by law enforcement on the way to the delivery.  Officers located the bag inside the vehicle which contained over 100 grams of methamphetamine. 

Due to his prior drug dealing convictions, Jefferson was deemed to be a career offender under the sentencing guidelines.  Jefferson pled guilty and was sentenced in August to 204 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Indiana State Police with the assistance of the DHS Customs and Border Protection Agency and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.

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FORT WAYNE – Francisco L. Mendez, age 39, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Damon Leichty upon his plea of guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

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

According to documents in this case, in February of 2018, Mendez distributed 5 grams or more of methamphetamine.  In April of 2018, he possessed a firearm after being a twice convicted felon in Allen County Superior Court; one in April 2012 for resisting law enforcement and one in November of 2012 for carrying a handgun without a license.  

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

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FORT WAYNE – Jeffrey Gaunt, age 62, of Auburn, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty to manufacturing over 100 marijuana plants, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

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

According to documents in this case, in June 2018, acting on a tip an Indiana State Police Marijuana Eradication Helicopter was flying over Mr. Gaunts residence.  While flying over, officers observed Gaunt pulling up plants that appeared to be marijuana and trying to flee.  The helicopter landed and officers detained Gaunt.  A subsequent search warrant served on his property found 177 rooted marijuana plants, 60 non-rooted marijuana clones, sealed packages of marijuana, firearms and items consistent with a marijuana grow operation.  Mr. Gaunt is a convicted felon for Burglary and was sentenced to over 12 years in prison.       

The case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Indiana State Police Marijuana Eradication Team and the Allen County Police Drug Task Force. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.  

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FORT WAYNE – Odonis Parker, age 29, was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm in a 2-day jury trial before U.S. District Court Judge Damon Leichty, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

According to documents in this case, Mr. Parker was in possession of a firearm on May 26, 2019 after being a twice convicted felon in Allen County Superior Court.  His prior felonies were for Robbery and Theft on separate occasions.         

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

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FORT WAYNE – Scott Trischler, age 25, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty of sexual exploitation of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Trischler was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment of $5,100 was also imposed.

According to documents in this case, Trischler communicated with a victim who was 12 years of age while he was playing with her as an administrator of an online game.  He continued to communicate with the victim after finding out his/her age and after the victim’s parents attempted to stop the communication.  He encouraged the victim to communicate with him on other online platforms and began engaging in sexually explicit communications.  He was also able to convince the victim to send digital still and video images that were sexually explicit which he saved to his phone and eventually transferred to his computer. 

The initial charges were filed and handled by the US Attorney’s office in the Eastern District of California, Fresno Office, and the defendant was arrested and pled guilty here in the Northern District of Indiana. The case was investigated by FBI in the Sacramento California Division, along with the Madera County Sheriff’s Department, and these law enforcement entities received assistance from the Fort Wayne Resident Office of the FBI, including members of its Violent Crimes Against Children (VCAC) Task Force Officers.  The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.  

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FORT WAYNE – Shea Smith, age 48, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty of receipt of material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Smith was sentenced to 78 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release and was ordered to forfeit the items involved in the commission of the offense.

According to documents in this case, from approximately July 2014 through July 2017, Smith received materials depicting the sexual exploitation of minors.  In his plea agreement, Smith  agreed to forfeit the following items: desktop computers, laptop computers, a camera and a hard drive. 

The case was investigated by FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children (VCAC) Task Force.  The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.

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SOUTH BEND – Kevin Clinton, age 62, of New Carlisle, Indiana, was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr, after being convicted on 4 counts of mail fraud during a 2-day trial in May 2019, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Clinton was sentenced to 71 months in prison and ordered to pay $2,271,720.05 in restitution. 

According to evidence presented at trial, Clinton was employed as the Chief Information Officer at a business in South Bend. From about March 2012 through October 2017, he executed a scheme to defraud his employer. He incorporated a separate business called Innovation Services that supposedly provided information-technology services to his employer, and he used a virtual office to submit fraudulent billings to his employer totaling over $2.2 million. Clinton’s employer sent checks to the virtual office as payment for fake services claimed in the fraudulent billings. At the time, his employer did not know Clinton owned the sham business. 

The case was investigated by the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Luke N. Reilander and Joel Gabrielse. 

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HAMMOND-David Ulmenstine, 28, of Posen, Illinois, and a member of the Chicago-based Latin Kings, was sentenced by Judge Simon to 70 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release following his guilty plea to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.    

According to documents in the case, Ulmenstine was held responsible for activity involving between 400 and 500 grams of cocaine distributed by the Latin Kings street gang.  As a member of the Latin Kings, Ulmenstine attended gang meetings and paid dues, which went to the purchase of such things as firearms and narcotics for the gang.  Ulmenstine was involved in distributing narcotics and patrolled Latin King neighborhoods looking out for rival gang members and police.   

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the East Chicago Police Department, the Gary Police Department, the Hammond Police Department, the Lake County, Indiana, Sheriff’s Department and Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area officers and agents.  The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Illinois, have also provided assistance.  The Latin King case is being prosecuted by Northern District of Indiana Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick and Nicholas J. Padilla.

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HAMMOND – Temika Coleman, age 41, of Hammond, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge James T. Moody upon her plea of guilty to wire fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch. 

Coleman was sentenced to 121 months in prison and ordered to pay in excess of $180,000 in restitution to various financial institutions and retailers.

According to documents in this case, Coleman participated in a scheme that involved stolen personal identifying information from victims in more than 10 states and Canada.  Coleman and co-defendants stole some of the victims’ information from a hospital in Arizona.  The stolen records included birth dates, social security numbers, addresses, telephone numbers, employment information, insurance carriers, treating physicians, and identifying information related to the victims’ emergency contacts.  Coleman and others fraudulently opened credit cards, bank accounts, and retail credit accounts on-line. 

Co-defendant Vincent Prunty of Chicago was sentenced in August 2019, to 154 months in prison for his role in the scheme.  Co-defendant Germico Childress of Calumet City, IL pled guilty in June 2018, and is awaiting sentencing. 

The case was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Toi Denise Houston.

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FORT WAYNE – Tyson Hudson, age 34, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Hudson was sentenced to 90 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, in February 2019 Hudson was found in possession of 3 handguns after being convicted and sentenced in federal court for distribution of 5 grams or more of crack cocaine in 2007.  The handguns found during the search warrant of Mr. Hudson’s residence consisted of .45 caliber pistol, a 9mm pistol, and a .25 caliber pistol. Mr. Hudson was also in possession of ammunition. 

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

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HAMMOND – Dr. Qingyou Han, 61, of West Lafayette, Indiana, pled guilty today to committing the criminal felony offense of wire fraud, before U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon. Dr. Han’s wife, Lu Shao, 53, of Lakewood, Ohio, also pled guilty, on behalf of her company Hans Tech, LLC (“Hans Tech”), to participating in the same wire fraud scheme. 

The charging documents in the case allege that Dr. Han, a Purdue University professor and the Director of its Center for Materials Processing Research, devised a scheme to defraud the National Science Foundation (“NSF”) into giving Hans Tech over $1.3 million in research grants through its Small Business Innovation Research (“SBIR”) and Small Business Technology Transfer (“STTR”) programs by making materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, promises and material omissions. In pleading guilty, Dr. Han, individually, and Ms. Shao on behalf of Hans Tech, acknowledged that the purpose of the scheme was to obtain grant funds allocated for research and to use some or all of those funds for other purposes, including to pay personal expenses or for the enrichment of Dr. Han, Ms. Shao, or their children.

In pleading guilty, each defendant acknowledged that the factual allegations in the charging documents were true and accurate. One such allegation was that Dr. Han wrote grant proposals on behalf of Hans Tech and submitted them and other documents to NSF electronically using his wife’s name. In submitting those proposals, neither Dr. Han nor Ms. Shao informed NSF that they were married or that Dr. Han, who was not affiliated as an owner or employee of the company, was actually running Hans Tech behind the scenes. In some of the Hans Tech proposals to NSF, the company recommended that Dr. Han, in his capacity as a Purdue professor, be hired as a subcontractor to assist in carrying out the research. Other documents justified the use of research funds to pay employees who, unbeknownst to the NSF, were actually Dr. Han and Ms. Shao’s minor children who were between the ages of 9 and 16 at the time they allegedly worked for Hans Tech.  Another justification given to NSF’s Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) for the use of research funds was the payment of $3,000 per month in “rent” for a “laboratory” where the research would be performed. Unbeknownst to NSF at the time, the “laboratory” was actually a single family residence, and the over $150,000 in “rent” was to be paid to Ms. Shao despite the fact that Hans Tech funds had been used to purchase the residence and the company owned the property outright. At one point in the scheme, Dr. Han also used a company in his name to pose as a “third-party” wishing to invest $100,000 in Hans Tech. Unbeknownst to NSF at the time, the “investment” derived in part from Hans Tech’s own funds and, after it was made, $120,000 (at least $80,000 of which were grant funds) was transferred to a bank account of Dr. Han. Subsequently, the money was moved through various accounts until checks totaling just under $75,000, at least one of which could not have been written without NSF grant funds, were used to pay off the home mortgage of Dr. Han and Ms. Shao.

U.S. Attorney Thomas Kirsch said, “The National Science Foundation small business grants are funded by taxpayer dollars and are meant to be used as seed money to help fuel innovation and advancement in science and technology. Schemes such as this, carried out by an otherwise well-respected member of the scientific community, are an affront to NSF and the hard-working employees who administer its grants, and they also deprive other more deserving small businesses from bringing their innovations and advancements to the U.S. marketplace.”  Mr. Kirsch concluded that “this kind of taxpayer funded program fraud will be aggressively prosecuted by my office going forward, just as it was in this case.”

“The SBIR/STTR program is a valuable tool in advancing NSF’s mission to promote the progress of science by increasing opportunities for innovative research by small businesses,” stated National Science Foundation Inspector General Allison Lerner.  “The NSF Office of Inspector General is committed to vigorously pursuing fraud, waste and abuse in the SBIR/STTR programs. I commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our investigative partners for their strong support in this effort.”

This case was the result of an investigation by National Science Foundation, Office of Inspector General with assistance from the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Michigan City Police Department. 

This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jill Koster and NSF OIG Investigative Attorney Sonia Khanzode. Ms. Khanzode was designated by U.S. Attorney Kirsch to serve as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in this case.

The sentencing hearings for Dr. Han and Hans Tech have been set for Tuesday, January 21, 2020, beginning at 1p.m.

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SOUTH BEND - Donyea Fowler, age 34, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio for six counts of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of felon in possession of a firearm, and six counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Mr. Fowler was sentenced to 516 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $7,253.19 in restitution.    

According to documents in this case, between December 2017 and February 2018, Mr. Fowler robbed six South Bend area businesses at gun point. Mr Fowler was connected to these robberies, in part, because he committed the robberies while wearing the same clothing:  maroon sweat pants, a hooded sweatshirt, a mask, gloves, and sneakers. Several times he used a blue satchel to carry the loot. Mr. Fowler repeatedly stole cash, change, lottery tickets, liquor, and tobacco products. When Mr. Fowler was arrested, police found the blue satchel, a gray glove, and the loaded chrome-colored handgun in the trunk of the car in which Mr. Fowler was a passenger. Police also found a picture of stolen items from the robbery that occurred in January of 2018 on Mr. Fowler’s cell phone. Mr. Fowler has four prior felony convictions.  

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department.  The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Gabrielse.

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SOUTH BEND – Eric R. Weiler, 46, of LaPorte, Indiana, was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after entering a plea of guilty to production of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and making a destructive device, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch. 

Weiler was sentenced to 720 months in prison, 5 years of supervised release and ordered to pay 26,250 in restitution. 

“The facts of this case are horrific,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch.  “Mr. Weiler’s crimes caused great pain to the victim’s family and could have, but for the swift intervention of law enforcement, resulted in severe and permanent injury to other potential victims.  His 60 year sentence reflects the seriousness of his heinous crimes.”  Mr. Kirsch went on to express his sincere thanks to all the law enforcement officials involved in this case.

“This lengthy sentence will deliver some justice to the young victims and their families and ensure this defendant will never harm again,” said Special Agent in Charge Tim Jones of the ATF Chicago Field Division. “We will continue to investigate these serious crimes with our law enforcement partners and appreciate the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their diligence in prosecuting this particular case.”

"Mr. Weiler took advantage of some of the most vulnerable members of our society and his sentence reflects the heinous nature of his crime," said Special Agent in Charge Grant Mendenhall, FBI Indianapolis. "It also is a testament to the strong partnerships the FBI has with our law enforcement partners and should send a strong message that we will identify and pursue charges against those who perpetrate these illegal activities."

According to documents in this case, Weiler drugged several people so that they would be unconscious while he recorded a video of himself performing sex acts on an unconscious child. Weiler relived the abuse by writing about it many times in drawings and notes that were later recovered from his house.  In the summer of 2017, Weiler fixated on another child, who, according to his writings, he intended to kidnap and sexually abuse after killing the child’s guardians.  During that summer, Weiler became suspicious of a person and jerry-rigged that person’s car to explode by re-routing turn signal wires into the gas tank to create a spark.  Weiler had also been going into an abandoned house to watch the child playing outside.  Investigators went into the vacant house and discovered writings on interior walls documenting the writer’s attempts to acquire a girl under the age of twelve, ideally a newborn baby, for sexual contact.  Investigators recovered two incendiary devices, in Weiler’s home, one of which is commonly referred to as an improvised explosive device (IED) and had to later be detonated at the LaPorte County Fair Grounds.  Investigators also recovered multiple electronic devices and electronic storage devices in his home, which contained over 24,000 images and over 80 videos of child pornography, including the videos he had produced of himself with the unconscious drugged child.  Weiler’s electronic devices also contained videos of him threatening to use one of the explosive devices to extort sex from an unidentified woman.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office, LaPorte Police Department, Michigan City Police Department, and the Porter County Sheriff’s Department and Bomb Squad. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John M. Maciejczyk and Molly E. Donnelly.

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FORT WAYNE – Daniel King, age 68, of Marion, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty to receipt of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

King was sentenced to 84 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release and the Court ordered forfeiture of the items involved in the commission of offense. 

According to documents in this case, in July of 2016, King, was indicted for receiving child pornography and ultimately pled guilty to this offense.  In his plea agreement, King also agreed to forfeit a tablet, a thumb drive, a laptop computer and 5 hard drives.    

The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crimes Against Children (VCAC) Task Force.  The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.  

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FORT WAYNE – Antonio Munos, 47, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was charged in a criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch. 

The criminal complaint alleges that Munos possessed in excess of 2 pounds of methamphetamine.  It was alleged that a Mr. Munos had agreed to sell methamphetamine to an individual on October 14, 2019.  Mr. Munos and the individual met but did not come to agreement on the price so Mr. Munos was allegedly going to drive to the source of supply’s house.  While driving to the house, Mr. Munos committed a traffic violation and was stopped by police.  He exhibited nervous behavior when asked about the presence of narcotics in the vehicle, causing the officer to request a K-9 sweep.  The K-9 alerted on the vehicle where over 2 pounds of methamphetamine were located in the trunk.   

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that a criminal complaint 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 sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This case is being investigated by the DEA with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.

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FORT WAYNE – Luis Carrera, age 45, of Hammond, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Carrera was sentenced to 60 months in prison with 4 years of supervised release, however he will be deported upon completion of his federal sentence.

According to documents in this case, Carrera brought a kilogram of cocaine to Fort Wayne from Hammond, Indiana.  During a search of the vehicle driven by Mr. Carrera, officers found the cocaine wrapped and concealed in a plastic oil bottle.  Mr. Carrera was previously removed from the U.S. for attempted illegal entry and was also on probation in Porter County, Indiana for dealing Marijuana.

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 Stacey R. Speith. 

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SOUTH BEND - Zachary Adams, age 34, of Mishawaka, Indiana was sentenced before South Bend District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. for felon in possession, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Mr. Adams was sentenced to 51 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in this case, Mr. Adams broke in a police officer’s home and stole numerous items, including a 9mm handgun. Five days later, Mr. Adams stole a car and drove to a South Bend business where he tried to commit fraud by using a false (or stolen) Florida driver’s license. Mr. Adams fought responding officers; however, the officers were able to subdue him. Officers found the stolen 9mm handgun in a shoulder holster under Mr. Adams’ shirt. Mr. Adams had been convicted of four felonies and five misdemeanors in the past.   

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department.  The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Gabrielse.

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HAMMOND- Emmanuel French, 32, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced before District Court Judge Philip P. Simon following his plea of guilty to conspiracy to distribute at least 28 grams of crack cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

French received a sentence of 108 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release. 

According to documents filed in this case, between August 2016 and February 2017, Emmanuel French conspired with other individuals in Gary, Indiana, to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute at least 28 grams of cocaine base, commonly known as crack cocaine.   

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Gang Response Investigative Team and Gary Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas R. Mahoney, Joseph A. Cooley, and Alexandra McTague. 

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HAMMOND- Jonquel Lawson, 26, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced before District Court Judge James T. Moody following his plea of guilty Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Lawson received a sentence of 96 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. 

According to documents filed in this case, on September 2017 Mr. Lawson entered and robbed a cellular store in Munster, Indiana.  When the employee went to the back room, he followed her and pointed a gun at her.  Mr. Lawson stole in excess of $25,000 in cellular phones from the store and fled on foot.

This case was investigated by the FBI with the assistance of the Hammond Police Department.  This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang. 

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FORT WAYNE – Billy Harris, age 38, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

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

According to documents in this case, in July of 2017, Mr. Harris possessed a firearm after twice being convicted of felony offenses.  In 2012, Harris was convicted of resisting law enforcement and in 2015, he was convicted of invasion of privacy along with committing domestic battery in presence of a child less than 16 years of age.  Both these convictions were in Allen Superior Court, Allen County, Indiana. 

The case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Indiana State Police.  The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller-Lowery  

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FORT WAYNE – Juan Williams, age 31, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Williams was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, in September 2017, Mr. Williams distributed fentanyl to a confidential informant.  In October 2017, officers searched the residence of Mr. Williams and his co-defendant and located more than 40 grams of fentanyl and a .40 caliber handgun, among other evidence. 

The case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department.  The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.  

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FORT WAYNE – Obeth Cardona-Quinonez, age 32, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady for illegal reentry of a removed alien, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Cardona-Quinonez was sentenced to 30 months in prison and will be deported upon completion of his federal sentence.

According to documents in this case, Cardona-Quinonez, a citizen of Mexico, was convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) and providing false information to a law enforcement officer in 2013.  Cardona-Quinonez was arrested for a second OWI in 2014. He was thereafter deported to Mexico in 2014.  In May 2016, he illegally re-entered the U.S., was found and deported again within two weeks.  In July of 2016, he again illegally re-entered the U.S. and in October of 2017, he was arrested for OWI after he drove into a utility pole, ran from the scene of an accident and had a blood alcohol content of double the legal limit in the State of Indiana.  In July 2018, he pleaded guilty to the 2017 and the 2014 OWI charges and was deported a third time in August 2018.  Cardona-Quinonez returned to the U.S. two months later, in October 2018, without legal authorization, and lived in Fort Wayne until December 2018 when he was charged with driving after having been declared a habitual offender, a charge which was later dismissed.     

The case was investigated by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.  The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah E. Nokes. 

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HAMMOND-Edward Kerr, Jr., 56, of San Pierre, Indiana and Tammy Estrada, 36, of North Judson, Indiana, were sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Philip Simon following their pleas of guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.    

Edward Kerr Jr. was sentenced to 37 months in prison and ordered to pay $757,499.06 in restitution.

Tammy Estrada was sentenced to 6 months home detention along with 2 years’ supervised release and ordered to pay $757,499.06 in restitution.

According to documents in the case, Edward Kerr, Jr., Tammy Estrada, and Brenda Kerr participated in a scheme in which United Mobile Care of San Pierre, Indiana, submitted false claims to Medicare and Medicaid for transporting recipients by ambulance to dialysis appointments, when in fact the recipients were ambulatory and ineligible for ambulance transportation under Medicare and Medicaid. Edward Kerr, Jr. admitted he was United Mobile Care’s leader/manager.

Brenda Kerr was sentenced on September 13, 2019, to 2 years’ probation with 12 months of home detention and ordered to pay $757,499.06 in restitution. 

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  This case was handled by Northern District of Indiana Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Berkowitz.

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SOUTH BEND - Quonzee Merriweather, age 25, of Michigan City, Indiana was sentenced before South Bend District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio for distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, said U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

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

According to documents in this case, in October of 2017, Mr. Merriweather distributed cocaine while in Michigan City, Indiana.  Mr. Merriweather has three felony and two misdemeanor convictions and also has violated probation multiple times.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms with the assistance of the Michigan City Police Department.  The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Schaffer.

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FORT WAYNE – Jeffrey Brown, age 55, of Ligonier, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Brown was sentenced to 165 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, in January of 2018, a federal search warrant was executed on Mr. Brown’s residence.  During this search, approximately 40 grams of crystal methamphetamine, a scale, smoking devices and multiple cell phones were found.

The case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Noble County Sheriff’s Department and the IMAGE Drug Task Force.  The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah E. Nokes. 

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SOUTH BEND - Lonnie Painter, age 57, of Osceola, Indiana was sentenced before South Bend District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio on his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Mr. Painter was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in this case, between June of 2018 and November of 2018, Mr. Painter admitted that he possessed two loaded 9mm pistols that were purchased by his late wife. The pistols were discovered when Mr. Painter’s vehicles were repossessed by a Michigan bail bondsman. Mr. Painter was convicted previously of Second Degree Murder in Tennessee and Attempted Murder in LaPorte, Indiana.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the St. Joseph County Drug Investigation Unit with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department.  The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Schultz.

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HAMMOND - William Moit, age 72, who was formerly a resident of Rensselaer, Indiana -- but resided in Westfield, Indiana when arrested -- was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after his plea of guilty to receiving child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch. 

Moit was sentenced to serve a term of 108 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release and he was ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution. 

According to documents in this case, Moit, who was convicted in Jasper County, Indiana in 2000 for possessing child pornography and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, was charged, in the federal indictment in 2017, with receiving child pornography. Between November 2014 and October 2015, Moit knowingly used a computer to receive 111 images and 157 videos depicting minors, some of which were under 12 years of age, engaging in sexually explicit conduct, including sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence. 

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Indiana State Police. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill R. Koster.

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HAMMOND- Ryan Smith, 56, was charged in a criminal complaint with the September 22, 2019 robbery, affecting interstate commerce, of Family Dollar in Griffith, Indiana, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch. 

U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “Prosecuting violent crime is one of my top priorities.   My office, along with our law enforcement partners, including the FBI, have a strong and continuing commitment to investigate and prosecute acts of violence such as those alleged in today’s charges.”

The criminal complaint alleges that Smith entered the Family Dollar store located on Ridge Road in Griffith, Indiana, on September 22, 2019.  Smith is alleged to have given a note to an employee stating that he was committing a robbery.  Smith is further alleged to have displayed a large knife and held it against an employee while ordering the employee to open a cash register from which he stole approximately $190 in cash. 

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that a criminal complaint 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 sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This case is being investigated by the FBI Gang Response Investigative Team and Griffith Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Nozick.

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FORT WAYNE – Jermesha Davis, age 28, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly Brady for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Davis was sentenced to 63 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, on July 28, 2018, Jermesha Davis was followed by Fort Wayne Police Department officers from her apartment to a residence where a search warrant was being executed as part of an ongoing narcotics trafficking investigation. Davis arrived driving a vehicle belonging to one of the occupants of the location being searched. Davis was also found to be in possession of a cell phone that the Fort Wayne Police Department had been tracking in connection with the investigation.  It was determined that Davis did not have a valid driver’s license. A subsequent search of Davis’ home produced quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine as well as a cutting agent often used by drug traffickers. Law enforcement also located two firearms in the kitchen.

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

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FORT WAYNE – Brandon Buchanan, age 29, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly Brady upon his plea of guilty for maintaining a drug-involved premises and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Buchanan was sentenced to 117 months imprisonment followed by 2 years of supervised release.  

According to documents in this case, in March 2018 a search warrant was served on Buchanan’s residence in Fort Wayne.  During the search, investigators located a loaded .357 caliber revolver, fentanyl, crack cocaine, marijuana, hypodermic syringes, approximately $1000 in US currency, evidence of narcotics dealing, along with multiple calibers of ammunition and magazine for various firearms.  

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department and the Indiana State Police.  This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacey R. Speith and Anthony Geller.

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