Northern District of Indiana

SOUTH BEND – Keisand Santiago-Maldonado, 33 years old, of Milton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after a jury convicted him of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Santiago-Maldonado was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, Santiago-Maldonado was driving a rental car on the interstate in LaPorte County. Law enforcement observed Santiago-Maldonado commit traffic infractions and performed a traffic stop. During the stop, officers found 997 grams of cocaine underneath the passenger’s seat. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the LaPorte County Drug Task Force, LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department, LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office, and Indiana State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lydia T. Lucius, Hannah T Jones, and Appellate Chief Joseph P. Falvey.

SOUTH BEND – Jalen Wilson, 33 years old, of Michigan City, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

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

According to documents in the case, on two separate occasions, Wilson sold fentanyl to another person. On another occasion, Wilson sold a firearm that was affixed with a machinegun conversion device. Wilson has a prior federal felony conviction for conspiring to distribute heroin and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm.

“Jalen Wilson decided to ignore the lessons he should have learned during his first trip through the federal criminal justice system,” said U.S. Attorney Mildred.  “Instead, he escalated by diversifying his illicit business into to fentanyl and firearms.  Thankfully, the committed public servants with DEA, ATF, LaPorte County Drug Task Force, and our Office brought this recidivist drug dealer to justice.  I commend them all for their efforts.”

“Fentanyl remains the country’s deadliest drug threat, claiming nearly 50,000 lives last year. The Drug Enforcement Administration, along with its law enforcement and prosecution partners, will continue to hold accountable anyone who is cruel and evil enough to drive more Americans towards the poison of fentanyl. Mr. Wilson will have much time in a federal penitentiary to think of the lives he destroyed; and hopefully he will discern ways to be a productive member of society once he is free again,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chip Cooke.

“Every machinegun conversion device taken off the streets is a potential mass shooting prevented. The sentence imposed in this case reflects the seriousness of these offenses as well as the threat dangerous drugs and illegal machinegun conversion devices pose in our community. ATF, alongside our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office, will continue to work together to ensure these violent offenders are held accountable,” said ATF Chicago Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with assistance from the LaPorte County Drug Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lydia T. Lucius and Andrew A. Krumwied.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

SOUTH BEND – Tony Horston, 36 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Horston was sentenced to 101 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

“A violent, armed, recidivist drug dealer is going to prison because the partnership of local law enforcement and federal agents interrupted his enterprise.  We are safer because of their efforts,” Mildred said. 

According to documents in the case, police executed a search warrant at Horston’s house and found about 2.8 kilograms of methamphetamine, about 51 grams of fentanyl, about $10,000 in cash, and three loaded firearms. Horston has multiple prior felony convictions including dealing cocaine, battery, resisting law enforcement, and unlawful carrying of a firearm, any of which prohibited him from possessing a firearm in this case.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Elkhart County Interdiction and Covert Enforcement Unit and the Mishawaka Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

HAMMOND- Jahmal Sanders, 30 years old, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and for possessing a stolen firearm, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred. 

Sanders was sentenced to 192 months imprisonment followed by 2 years of supervised release.  The 192 months was ordered to have 144 months to be served consecutive to the state sentence he is currently serving, and 48 months to be served concurrent with his state sentence.

“This is a great example of how Project Safe Neighborhoods partners the intelligence and efforts of local law enforcement with the investigative resources of the federal government to make our community, and nation, safer.  A previously convicted robber and burglar is going to prison for possessing five guns, one of which was stolen in a burglary.  He is also currently serving a separate sentence for rape, and he will then be punished for these crimes.  We are thankful for the fine work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation/Gang Response Investigative Team Task Force and the Hammond Police Department to put this violent criminal behind bars,” Mildred said.

According to documents in the case, on February 10, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Sanders’ residence in Hammond.  Officers recovered five firearms, including a firearm that was stolen during the burglary earlier that morning.  Sanders’ criminal history revealed he has prior felony convictions for robbery and burglary, and such, is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.  He is currently serving a 13-year sentence for a rape conviction out of Lake County, Indiana.   

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation/Gang Response Investigative Team Task Force and the Hammond Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Toth.        

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

SOUTH BEND – Edwardo Trevino, 43 years old, of LaPorte, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after a jury convicted him of distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Trevino was sentenced to 100 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, Trevino sold methamphetamine to another person. On another occasion, Trevino was the front seat passenger in a car that was pulled over by police. Officers located a backpack on the front passenger seat floorboard containing methamphetamine, clear plastic baggies used for packaging and distributing drugs, a wallet with Trevino’s ID card, and a loaded pistol. Trevino’s criminal history includes a felony conviction for residential entry, and he is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm.

“This case is an example of how collaboration between state, local, and federal law enforcement can achieve the most effective available response to drug and gun offenses.  We thank LaPorte County Prosecuting Attorney Sean Fagan and his office, along with the agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the LaPorte County Drug Task Force, the Michigan City Police Department, and the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division, for partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to help make Hoosiers safer to live, work, and raise their families.  Due to their efforts, a repeat felon who was intending to poison our community with methamphetamine while armed with a handgun will serve 8 years followed by three years of community supervision,” said United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

“The Drug Enforcement Administration, along with its law enforcement partners, will continue to hold accountable those who choose drug trafficking, violent crime, and the poisoning of Hoosiers over civility and decency. There is no room in northern Indiana for the cruelty and evilness of drug traffickers. Mr. Trevino will be out of society for a long time, and we will be a safer and healthier northern Indiana because of it,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chip Cooke.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the LaPorte County Drug Task Force, the Michigan City Police Department, the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division, and the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lydia T. Lucius and Joel Gabrielse.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

HAMMOND- Mark A. Lyons, 32 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Lyons was sentenced to 156 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, postal inspectors executed a search warrant on Lyons’ residence on October 4, 2024, after linking Lyons to several suspicious packages being sent from the Gary, Indiana Post Office. During the search, law enforcement recovered over 11,451 grams of methamphetamine, multiple pill presses and other tools to manufacture counterfeit pills, and a firearm. Lyons has multiple felony convictions, including a prior conviction for trafficking in controlled substances, a burglary, and a carrying a handgun without a license.

“This repeat felon possessed over 25 pounds of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute that poison in our community.  The Northern District of Indiana is safer because of the thorough work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, the Indiana State Police, and the Lake Ridge Fire Department.  He will serve thirteen years in prison for his crimes,” Mildred said.    

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, and the Lake Ridge Fire Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ambris Saravanan and former Assistant United States Attorney Joel L. Mathur.              

SOUTH BEND – Aguila Binion, 48 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after a jury convicted him of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

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

According to documents in the case, police found Binion asleep behind the wheel of a running car. Binion had a bag of cocaine and more than $1,500 cash in his pockets. He had boxes of plastic baggies, a digital scale, and several small baggies of pre-packaged cocaine in the front seat. Within arm’s reach in the back seat, he had a fully loaded pistol.

“The Defendant was all set up to distribute poison in our community.  He had the product, the packaging, money to make change, a scale to make accurate sales, and a gun to protect his illicit business enterprise.  He has forfeited twelve years of his life because of his crimes.  The Northern District of Indiana is safer for the efforts of the South Bend Police Department, the St. Joseph County Police Department, the Indiana State Police Laboratory, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives,” said Mildred.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the South Bend Police Department, the St. Joseph County Police Department and the Indiana State Police Laboratory. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joel Gabrielse and Luke N. Reilander.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

FORT WAYNE – Janis A. Sexton, 63 years old, of Ossian, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Sexton was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.  She was ordered to pay $1,679,934 in restitution to multiple identified victims.

According to documents in the case, Sexton knowingly conspired with others to defraud victims of millions of dollars and then laundered the fraud proceeds through her shell companies and bank accounts.  Starting in December of 2020, and extending through August of 2022, Sexton created four shell companies and established accounts at multiple banks.  Through a variety of schemes, the conspiracy deceived victim businesses and some individuals into wiring money to accounts under Sexton’s control.  After laundering the money through her accounts, Sexton sent fraud proceeds to an overseas conspirator, sometimes by converting the money into cryptocurrency.  In total, the conspiracy tried to steal over $4 million, and Sexton and her conspirators actually obtained a little over $2 million in fraud proceeds, primarily through business email compromise schemes and fraud against a government program.  

This conspiracy victimized many businesses through business email compromise schemes.  With this type of scheme, conspirators gained access to a business’s emails and obtained inside information about existing invoices and accounts receivable or accounts payable.  Conspirators then sent emails that looked legitimate and purported to change existing payment information, with the new payment account being under the control of a conspirator such as Sexton. In wiring money, victims believed that they were sending payment to their vendors, clients, and business associates, but they were instead deceived into sending money to Sexton.   

“The Defendant was extremely sophisticated.  Thanks to the professional investigation put together by the FBI with the assistance of the Stamford Police Department in Connecticut, the Defendant was caught, prosecuted, and sentenced,” Mildred said.

“This wasn’t a simple scheme - the defendant set up shell companies, opened multiple accounts, and even coordinated with an overseas contact, all in an attempt to avoid detection. In the end, that didn’t work,” said Timothy J. O’Malley. “Cases like this show that even complex fraud leaves a trail, and the FBI remains committed to identifying and holding accountable those who break the law.”

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

HAMMOND – Rose Henderson, 62 years old, of East Chicago, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Henderson was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison and ordered to pay $364,779 in restitution.

According to documents in the case, in August 1989, Henderson’s mother began receiving social security benefits at the age of 62. Six years later, Henderson became her mother’s representative payee, and in that capacity, she had a fiduciary duty to use the benefits for her mother’s care and support. The following year, Henderson’s mother passed away, but Henderson did not notify the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) of her death. Henderson continued collecting her mother’s benefits for more than two decades. During that time, she periodically submitted false paperwork to the SSA claiming that her mother was still alive and that she was using the funds for her mother’s benefit. Instead, she spent the money on herself, including multiple cruises, frequent trips to Las Vegas, and large cash withdrawals at casinos in northwest Indiana. In total, between September 1996 until March 2021, Henderson defrauded the SSA out of $364,779.

“Henderson stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from a government assistance program designed to help the most vulnerable members of society and used it for decades to support a lifestyle that is beyond the reach of many members of the community,” said United States Attorney Mildred. “Through the hard work of the Office of the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration, and the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern Division, the Defendant was arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced.  We will, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to hold accountable those who defraud government programs and put critical benefits at risk.”

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Steven J. Lupa and Zachary D. Heater.

HAMMOND-  DeAndre Johnson, 42 years old, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Johnson was sentenced to 72 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, between October 2023, and March 2024, Johnson conspired with his co-defendant, Fernando Porras, Jr., and others to distribute controlled substances on six occasions. Porras was previously sentenced to 96 months incarceration.

“The Defendant has forfeited the next six years of his life for agreeing to peddle this poison in our communities, and it is through the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Lake County Combined Task Force - Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) that the Defendant was caught, prosecuted, and sentenced,” said Mildred.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Lake County Combined Task Force - Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s North Central Laboratory.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Toth.           

HAMMOND-  Jeremiah Hicks, 38 years old, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to distributing heroin and cocaine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

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

According to documents in the case, Hicks sold heroin and cocaine to another person on two occasions in August 2023.  During an execution of a search warrant on his residence, law enforcement recovered a semi-automatic pistol and U.S. currency.  Hicks has multiple felony convictions, including a 2012 possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and a 2018 dealing in a narcotic drug.   

“The Defendant has forfeited over 12 years of his life because he chose to peddle this poison in our communities.  We appreciate the hard work of the professionals at the BATFE and the Hammond Police Department that went into the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of this repeat offender.  The Northern District of Indiana is safer due to their efforts,” said Mildred.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with assistance from the Hammond Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin M. Padula.             

SOUTH BEND – Jose Fuentes-Garcia, 53 years old, a felon from Mexico who had been previously removed from the United States in July of 1998, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty.  The Defendant had pled guilty to felony Reentry of Removed Alien, after a thorough investigation by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

“The Defendant was previously convicted of two counts of attempted sexual abuse in Oregon and had been removed from our country thereafter.  That is, the system worked.  The Defendant did not think the rules applied to him, however, and he further violated our nation’s laws by illegally crossing our sovereign borders.  He has been breaking our nation’s laws every single day since his illegal reentry.  Thankfully, due to the solid investigation performed by Homeland Security, he was found, caught, and prosecuted.  He will be returned home to Mexico after serving the balance of his time in prison.  It should be clear that he is not welcome here as a result of his crimes,” Mildred said.

This case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jerome W. McKeever.

HAMMOND – Loraine Duchscher, 52 years old, of Crown Point, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Duchscher was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $150,153.12 in restitution.

According to documents in the case, between April 2021 and October 2023, Duchscher worked as an office manager for a small business in East Chicago. In that capacity, she was responsible for processing payroll for each bi-weekly pay period, and she had unsupervised access to the company’s bank account and payroll software. During the first few months of her employment, Duchscher built goodwill with the company and convinced the owner to switch to a different payroll system. After that, she began fraudulently increasing the amount of her paychecks and awarding herself vacation pay to which she was not entitled, all without the knowledge or permission of the company. Over the course of the scheme, she defrauded the company out of $150,153.12, which she spent on travel, entertainment, restaurants, cosmetic procedures, a vehicle, and large cash withdrawals.

Duchscher committed this offense both while she was on pretrial release and after pleading guilty and awaiting sentencing in another federal case in which she defrauded a different employer out of $490,958.35. That case involved similar circumstances in which she, in her role as office manager, manipulated payroll data to steal from the company. For that offense, she was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison. Prior to that, Duchscher defrauded a third employer out of $53,616.94 through her unauthorized use of credit cards. For that offense, she was convicted of fraud in state court and sentenced to probation.

“Duchscher is a serial con artist who has defrauded three employers—all small businesses in northwest Indiana—out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. She brazenly abused the trust these businesses placed in her, all to fund her own lavish lifestyle,” said United States Attorney Mildred. “I am grateful to federal law enforcement for their relentless pursuit of this case, ensuring that Duchscher was brought to justice yet again.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven J. Lupa.

HAMMOND –  On March 5, 2026, Vernon R. Tate II, 39 years old, of Valparaiso, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred. 

Tate was sentenced to 87 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.  Tate was also ordered to pay monetary assessments that support services for victims of human trafficking and child sexual abuse.

According to documents in the case, in October 2023, Tate distributed multiple images containing child sex abuse material to an undercover FBI agent on an encrypted messaging platform.  The images Tate distributed included depictions of infants and prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary D. Heater

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

FORT WAYNE – On March 4, 2026, Parke Althaus, 31 years old, of Findlay, Ohio, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to a three count Indictment charging him with distribution of a controlled substance, including charges that carried mandatory minimum sentence, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

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

According to documents in the case, on three occasions between February and April 2025, Althaus sold a combination of LSD, Ketamine, and MDMA to another individual.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Fort Wayne Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dawn Ransom.

SOUTH BEND – On March 3, 2026, Dontia Grant, 29 years old, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Grant was sentenced to 66 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, Grant was pulled over in Michigan City for speeding. After an officer asked for his license and registration, Grant drove away from the traffic stop and led police on a pursuit for about a mile and a half before jumping out of his car and running away from police. When they caught up to him, officers found that Grant was carrying a loaded pistol with a 20-round extended magazine. Grant has prior felony convictions including unlawful transfer of a firearm and resisting law enforcement, and he was therefore prohibited from possessing the firearm in this case.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Michigan City Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katelan McKenzie Doyle and Luke N. Reilander and former Assistant United States Attorney Molly E. Donnelly.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results

SOUTH BEND – On March 3, 2026, Miguel Angel Vera-Rosales, 36 years old, a felon from Mexico who had been previously removed from the United States in 2018, illegally returned to the United States, and was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty to 20 months in prison. Vera-Rosales pled guilty to felony Reentry of Removed Alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

“This case is an example of why the government prosecutes felony Reentry of a Removed Alien.  The Defendant has a previous felony conviction for attempted sexual assault and had been removed from our country.  He continued to break our nation’s laws by violating her borders again.  He will be returned home to Mexico after serving his time in prison.  It should be clear that he is not welcome here as a result of his crimes.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Indiana State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah T Jones.

FORT WAYNE – On February 27, 2026, Lucas Kern, 46 years old, of Huntington, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Kern was sentenced to 168 months in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in January 2024, law enforcement received information regarding an individual using an email account to access child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement later learned that this account was registered to Lucas Kern’s home in Huntington, Indiana. When confronted in August 2025 with an image that had been uploaded or saved to his email address, Kern admitted to receiving the image. A subsequent search of Kern’s cell phone revealed a large number of images and videos of child sexual abuse material.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from Huntington County Sheriff’s Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dawn Ransom.

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

HAMMOND – On February 24, 2026, John Andrew Smriga III, 24 years old, of Lowell, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to transmitting threatening communications, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Smriga was sentenced to time served followed by 1 year of supervised release with a term of home detention for 8 months.  Smriga was also ordered to pay a $2,000.00 fine.

According to documents in the case, Smirga used anonymizing internet-based phone services to send threatening text messages and images to an elected official in Crown Point, Indiana and a law enforcement officer in Cedar Lake, Indiana.  As part of the threat, messages to both victims included pictures of individuals holding and/or mimicking the possession of firearms.

“Public servants are the backbone of the American justice system. Working in tandem, federal and state law enforcement will ensure that individuals who threaten officials online—as John Andrew Smriga III did—are held strictly to account,” said United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.  “Today’s sentence proves that these threats are not mere pranks, but crimes requiring real consequences. I want to thank the FBI and the Indiana State Police for their swift work in neutralizing these serious threats.”

“Threats against elected officials and law enforcement, especially those involving images of firearms, are taken extremely seriously,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “The FBI is committed to investigating these threats and holding anyone who seeks to intimidate public servants or endanger our communities fully accountable.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Indiana State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Francis Sohn prosecuted the case.

SOUTH BEND – Keith Hall, 27 years old, of Kokomo, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Hall was sentenced to 188 months in prison, 15 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $250 to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Assistance Act of 2018.

According to documents in the case, Hall possessed 18 still images and 168 videos depicting child sexual abuse material. Hall had previously been convicted of sexual misconduct with a minor in Miami County, Indiana.

“We thank Miami County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Sinkovics, Chief Deputy Peter Diedricks, and their office, along with the agents of the Homeland Security Investigations, the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes against Children Task Force (ICAC), and the Miami County Sheriff’s Office for partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to help make Hoosiers safer to live, work, and raise their families,” said United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah T Jones.

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

HAMMOND-  Bethany A. Cataldi, D.O., 54 years old, of Chesterton, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to healthcare fraud, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Cataldi was sentenced to 97 months imprisonment, followed by 1 year of supervised release, and ordered to pay $19,138,245.43 in restitution.  As part of her plea agreement, Cataldi was required to forfeit significant assets, including jewelry, vehicles, musical instruments, and the contents of a number of bank accounts.  Cataldi also agreed to sell real estate and other luxury assets purchased using the proceeds of her crime in order to fulfill her obligations to repay the fraudulently obtained funds.

According to documents in the case, Cataldi – a physician, and the sole owner of the Center for Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery in Highland, Indiana – billed Medicare and private insurance for thousands of balloon sinuplasty procedures that she did not perform.  A balloon sinuplasty is a procedure designed to treat chronic sinusitis by using a small, flexible balloon catheter to widen and drain blocked sinus passages.  Cataldi sought approximately $50,000,000 for these non-existent procedures for which she was actually paid almost $20 million.   Approximately $460,000 of the fraudulently obtained funds were paid by individual patients in the form of co-insurance payments. 

“Doctors who sign up with Medicare and private insurance companies are in a position of trust.  Bethany Cataldi abused that trust – as well as the trust of her patients, many of whom were senior citizens – by filing fraudulent claims.  This sentence reflects that doctors who engage in such outrageous behavior will face significant consequences in this District,” said United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.  “My thanks to our federal law enforcement partners whose excellent and determined work led to the sentence that was handed down today.”

“Billing for thousands of procedures that were never performed is a profound breach of the trust placed in medical professionals,” said Mario M. Pinto, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “This scheme siphoned millions of dollars from Medicare and private insurers and even targeted individual patients for payment. We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to uncover health care fraud and ensure that those who exploit patients and federal programs are held fully accountable.”

“Protecting the integrity of our nation’s healthcare system is a top priority for the FBI. Schemes like this erode public trust and siphon critical funding away from legitimate medical providers and patients,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “The FBI remains committed to working with our partners to protect public funds and ensure those who commit healthcare fraud face justice.”

This case was investigated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigations, with assistance from the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorney Francis Sohn prosecuted the case.

SOUTH BEND – Donald Obando-Obando, 40 years old, a citizen of Nicaragua and a resident of Goshen, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to felony use of a false Social Security Number, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Obando-Obando was sentenced to time served and ordered to pay $4,996.11 in restitution.

According to documents in the case, Obando-Obando is in the United States illegally. He used another person’s name and Social Security Number to obtain a bank account and employment.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius.

SOUTH BEND – Jaron Williams, 44 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl, a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, and a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Williams was sentenced to 72 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, Williams sold fentanyl to another person on two occasions in the fall of 2024. In December 2024, officers executed a search warrant at his home and recovered cocaine, fentanyl powder, and methamphetamine. Officers also recovered four handguns, a shotgun, and over $64,000 in cash.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the St. Joseph County Police Department, the South Bend Police Department, the Michigan City Police Department, and the Indiana State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius.

HAMMOND- United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund sentenced Robert Crayton, 48 years old, of Evanston, Illinois, to 216 months in prison after Crayton was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Crayton was sentenced to 216 months in prison followed by 6 years of supervised release.

On March 14, 2023, officers of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department stopped Robert Crayton on I-65. During a search of Crayton’s car, officers found approximately 2 kilograms of cocaine hidden behind the center console and under the front passenger area floor mat. Crayton’s travel plans showed that he had flown from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Atlanta, Georgia and was driving back to Illinois when apprehended by law enforcement. Crayton has two prior felony drug distribution convictions, including a prior federal conviction for distribution of crack cocaine near a public elementary school.   

This case was investigated by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and Drug Enforcement Administration’s Merrillville Field Office, with assistance from Drug Enforcement Administration’s South Central Laboratory.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Toth and Ambris Saravanan.  

SOUTH BEND – Octavius Wentland, 22 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was found guilty of illegal possession of a machinegun after a two-day jury trial presided over by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 20, 2026.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the South Bend Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joel Gabrielse and Luke N. Reilander.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

HAMMOND – Miguel Bermudez-Herrera, 48 years old, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to felony reentry of a removed alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred. 

Bermudez-Herrera was sentenced to 6 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release. The supervised release term would go into effect should the Defendant unlawfully remain in, or return to, the United States within that period following expected removal proceedings.

According to documents in the case, Bermudez-Herrera was previously removed from the United States in 1997 and 2008.  He has been detained since his arrest on October 10, 2025.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Valparaiso Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary D. Heater.

FORT WAYNE – Michael O. Beers, 39 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Beers was sentenced to 190 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in October 2024, officers found Beers unconscious behind the steering wheel of a running vehicle parked in a gas station parking lot. When officers went to check on Beers, they found a loaded handgun holstered on his hip. A search of his car revealed large amounts of heroin and fentanyl, a digital scale, and other drug items. Fentanyl is extremely dangerous and potentially lethal, and Beers intended to sell hundreds of thousands of lethal doses of fentanyl in the community.  In addition to his armed drug trafficking, Beers has a significant criminal history with prior weapons and drug convictions, making his possession of the firearm unlawful.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas with assistance from the Fort Wayne Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin C. Sheridan.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

HAMMOND – Eli Martinez-Martinez, age 39, of Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to felony reentry of removed alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Martinez-Martinez was sentenced to time served, based upon his detention since his arrest on September 5, 2025.

According to documents in the case, Martinez-Martinez was previously removed from the United States in 2011 and 2022.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin F. Wolff.

HAMMOND - United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred announced today a settlement for nearly $1.7 million to resolve civil claims of the United States of America and the State of Indiana against former physician Don J. Wagoner, age 89, of Burlington, Indiana, and his business entity, Wagoner Medical Center, L.L.C.

According to documents in this case, during 2011-2013, former physician Don J. Wagoner practiced medicine at Wagoner Medical Center, L.L.C., which Mr. Wagoner solely owned.  The Wagoner defendants had a routine practice of requiring patients seeking a prescription for opioid pills or other pain medicine to submit a urine sample for qualitative testing for the presence or absence of nine or more drugs or drug classes.  Using a multiplexed screening kit costing defendants no more than approximately ten dollars, defendants tested each single urine sample for the same patient on the same day using the simple kit.  Defendants then billed Indiana Medicaid and received $171.27 or more per patient, even though Indiana Medicaid billing rules only allowed them to bill $20.83 per patient.  Defendants concealed this fraud by falsely certifying to Indiana Medicaid that they had collected and separately analyzed nine or more urine samples from each patient, when in fact they only had collected and analyzed one urine sample.  Defendants perpetrated this fraudulent scheme for over 5,000 claims, and received a total overpayment from Indiana Medicaid of nearly $1 million, which they refused to repay. On December 29, 2017, the United States and the State of Indiana filed a Complaint under the False Claims Act to recover the overpayment resulting from the fraudulent scheme, and also civil penalties. The settlement announced today resolves that case.

The Indiana Medicaid program provides healthcare for low income, often uninsured, Indiana residents who cannot otherwise afford needed medical care.  Indiana Medicaid is jointly funded by the United States and the State of Indiana. The federal False Claims Act, and the Indiana Medicaid False Claims Act, allows the federal government and the State of Indiana to recover the amount of the false claims plus civil penalties. A small portion of recoveries under the federal False Claims Act, three percent, is used to fund the cost of future health care fraud investigations and cases.

In 2013, defendant Don J. Wagoner permanently surrendered his licenses to prescribe drugs and practice medicine in connection with a state criminal investigation of his opioid‑prescribing practices, which resulted in felony drug dealing convictions of Mr. Wagoner.

“Although they no longer are endangering vulnerable Medicaid patients by practicing medicine, former physician Don Wagoner cannot be allowed to retain the fruits of his fraudulent Medicaid claims,” said United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to make it a priority to pursue investigations and cases to recover funds that were fraudulently received from the Medicare and Medicaid programs.”

The settlement was reached in a case against Don J. Wagoner and Wagoner Medical Center, L.L.C. filed by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana and the Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit within the Indiana Attorney General’s Office. Lead counsel for plaintiff United States in this litigation and negotiation was Assistant United States Attorney Wayne T. Ault.

SOUTH BEND – Manuel De Jesus Tinoco-Calderon, 36 years old, of Mexico and a resident of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to felony reentry of removed alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Tinoco-Calderon was sentenced to time served. He has been in custody since August 15, 2025.

According to documents in the case, Tinoco-Calderon was previously removed from the United States in September of 2007.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with assistance from the Notre Dame Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke N. Reilander.

SOUTH BEND –  Kerry T. Hancock, 34 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to embezzlement by a bank employee, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Hancock was sentenced to 2 months imprisonment followed by 8 months of supervised release with the first 3 months served on home detention and ordered to pay $115,864.84 in restitution.

According to documents in the case, Hancock worked as a bank teller in Mishawaka when he forged the signature of a bank account holder to withdraw $185,864,84 in cash from a rarely used bank account. He then stashed the stolen bundles of cash in his house.

This case was investigated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Mishawaka Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke N. Reilander.

SOUTH BEND – On January 22, 2026, Gary Schmucker, 47 years old, of Warsaw, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after a jury found him guilty of possessing a firearm as an unlawful drug user, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

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

According to documents in the case, in the months leading up to late April 2024, Schmucker regularly and repeatedly used methamphetamine and marijuana. During this time, he also possessed at least three firearms, including a semi-automatic rifle modified to fire rapidly. Law enforcement was called to his property on the morning of April 28, 2024, after he had used methamphetamine throughout the previous day and night while armed. Schmucker refused to leave his house and engaged in a standoff with law enforcement for several hours before he was finally detained.

“This case is an example of how collaboration between state, local, and federal law enforcement can achieve the most effective available response to drug and gun offenses.  We thank Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney J. Brad Voelz and his office, along with the agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Nappanee Police Department, and Warsaw Police Department for partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to help make Hoosiers safer to live, work, and raise their families,” said United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

The case was prosecuted by Acting Criminal Division Chief Joseph P. Falvey and Assistant United States Attorney Jerome W. McKeever.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

SOUTH BEND – On January 22, 2026, Guillermo Zarate-Martinez, 29 years old, of Venezuela, residing in Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Zarate-Martinez was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

According to documents in the case, Zarate-Martinez is a citizen of Venezuela who was in the United States illegally in August 2024 when he was found in possession of three firearms in Mishawaka, Indiana. Zarate-Martinez had the firearms when he and several other individuals went to a local business and threatened the owner in an attempt to recover an alleged debt of money.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Mishawaka Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katelan McKenzie Doyle and Luke N. Reilander.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

FORT WAYNE – Jason L. Pea, 32 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to Sexual Exploitation of Children and Distributing Child Pornography, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Pea was sentenced to 300 months in prison followed by lifetime supervision and ordered to pay $12,000 restitution.  Pea was ordered to pay a special assessment of $5,000 pursuant to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018.

According to documents in the case, in the fall of 2024, Pea began communicating via social media with a thirteen-year-old female in Missouri. Pea offered to pay the child for sexually explicit photos and videos.  After the child complied, Pea threatened to publish the photos and videos if the child did not return the money or provide him the names and contact information for her friends.  The child returned a portion of the money; however, Pea distributed a sexually explicit video of the minor to another minor child.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Allen County Sheriff’s Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a search warrant at Pea’s residence in Allen County, Indiana, and found the communication devices that Pea used to commit the offenses.  Pea was a registered sex offender, having been convicted of sexual misconduct with a minor in 2016.

“Jason Pea reached out through the internet to inflict devastating abuse on an innocent girl living hundreds of miles away,” said U.S. Attorney Mildred.  “He compounded this heinous crime by threatening to distribute the products of that abuse to blackmail the minor victim into providing access to her friends.  And as a final twist, he ignored the minor victim’s compliance with that blackmail and distributed the abusive materials to another minor anyway.  He did all this despite having already once been convicted and punished for a sexual offense.  Thankfully, the excellent work of our law enforcement and prosecutorial teams resulted in a long prison sentence and a lifetime of court-ordered supervision that will stop this repeat sex offender from preying on our children for the rest of his life.  I would like to thank each and every one of them for their efforts.”

“Every image and video of child sexual abuse represents a real child who has been harmed and demands a decisive law-enforcement response,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “This 300-month sentence reflects the seriousness of the harm caused and sends a clear message that those who prey on children and distribute this material will be aggressively pursued and held fully accountable.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Allen County Sheriff’s Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.

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

SOUTH BEND – On January 21, 2026, Santiago Ortiz-Ruvalcaba, 30 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to five counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Ortiz-Ruvalcaba was sentenced to 262 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, Ortiz-Ruvalcaba sold methamphetamine to buyers on five occasions from November 2023 to January 2025. During one of the sales, Ortiz-Ruvalcaba also sold fentanyl and two firearms. During a search of Ortiz-Ruvalcaba’s house, police found a scale for weighing drugs, baggies, ammunition, and a handgun. Ortiz-Ruvalcaba has associations with the Latin Kings gang and multiple prior felony convictions.

“Ortiz-Ruvalcaba trafficked both drugs and guns—an extremely dangerous mix,” said United States Attorney Mildred. “The sentence imposed today sends a clear message: The scourges of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and violence are not welcome in our community, and criminals like Ortiz-Ruvalcaba will be brought to justice.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Indiana State Police, the St. Joseph County Police Department, the Mishawaka Police Department, and the Pokagon Tribal Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke N. Reilander and Acting Criminal Division Chief Joseph P. Falvey.

SOUTH BEND – On January 16, 2026, Verrhontez L. Williams, 40 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Williams was sentenced to 57 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $168,744.00 in restitution to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

According to documents in the case, during the COVID-19 pandemic in the summer of 2020, Williams used other people’s personal identifying information to apply for Indiana unemployment benefits and benefits provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The cash benefits were deposited onto pre-paid debit cards that were mailed to Williams’s house in South Bend. Williams used the debit cards to withdraw cash at banks throughout the city. During the course of Williams’s scheme, at least 23 people’s names were used to apply for benefits totaling $168,744.00.

This case was investigated by the Department of Labor OIG, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jerome W. McKeever.

FORT WAYNE – On January 15, 2026, Kevin James Miller, 54 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to Possession of Child Pornography, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Miller was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release.  Restitution is left open, but to be determined within 90 days from the sentencing date.

According to documents in the case, law enforcement officers discovered that Miller was downloading child sexual abuse material from the internet.  During the execution of a search warrant at Miller’s residence, agents discovered evidence on digital devices showing that Miller was purchasing and downloading child sexual abuse material.  Over 1,500 images and 7 videos of child sexual abuse material were recovered from Miller.  The materials included images of toddlers and prepubescent minors engaged in sexual acts and nudity.  Miller was a registered sex offender and previously had been convicted twice of possession of child pornography and child exploitation.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Allen County Sheriff’s Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.

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

HAMMOND – On January 13, 2026, Armon A. Hill, 46 years old, of Merrillville, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Hill was sentenced to 30 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $883,166.92 in restitution.

According to documents in the case, between April 2020 and May 2022, Hill submitted a series of fraudulent loan applications under the Covid-19 Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury and Disaster Loan programs.  Hill’s applications contained false information and forged tax documents purporting to show that Hill operated a successful business with multiple employees, when in fact Hill had no such business and had no employees.  Based on Hill’s fraudulent representations, he received a total of approximately $840,000 in Covid-19 grant and loan funding to which he was not entitled.  Hill spent the funds on personal expenses unrelated to any legitimate business activity, including on international travel and high-end retail shopping.

“Armon Hill took advantage of government programs designed to help small businesses survive the Covid-19 pandemic, using hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to fund his own lavish lifestyle,” said United States Attorney Mildred.  “As this case demonstrates, fraud and abuse of government programs are not tolerated in the Northern District of Indiana.”   

“At a time when struggling small businesses were depending on emergency relief to survive the economic fallout of COVID-19, Armon Hill chose to exploit a national crisis for personal gain,” said Adam Jobes, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “By submitting fraudulent applications to the SBA, he diverted critical taxpayer-funded resources away from legitimate business owners who played by the rules. Pandemic relief funds were not a windfall—they were a lifeline—and abusing them is a federal crime with serious consequences.”

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI).  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary D. Heater. 

HAMMOND – Carlos Alvarez Morin, 36 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to possessing ammunition as an illegal alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred. 

Morin was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, Morin, an illegal alien, discharged twenty rounds of ammunition using an AK-47 rifle from his backyard in a residential area, all while intoxicated. 

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristian R. Mukoski.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. 

SOUTH BEND – Douglas Thrams, 24 years old, of Milford, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to making interstate communication with a threat to injure, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

After serving 10 months and 14 days in custody, Thrams was sentenced to time served followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in January 2025, Thrams posted a series of threatening videos to his TikTok account. In the videos, Thrams advocated for the bombing of government buildings and the assassination of politicians.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service, with assistance from the Goshen Police Department and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius.

HAMMOND – On January 8, 2026, Christine Reese, age 62, of Crown Point, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to health care fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Reese was sentenced to 84 months in prison and ordered to pay $268,746.37 in restitution.

According to documents in the case, Reese falsely claimed that she was licensed as a clinical psychologist and falsely represented that she held the degree of Doctor of Psychology. In reality, Reese did not have these qualifications but did have over ten previous felony convictions. Using forged and fraudulent documents, Reese convinced Company A, a mental health services provider in Munster, Indiana, to hire her to work as a clinical therapist. Reese also obtained employment at another mental health services provider using false qualifications. Reese conducted appointments with patients at Company A, including Indiana Medicaid recipients and children. Later, Reese continued to claim she was a psychologist and conducted appointments with patients out of her home, using the business name of Sanctuary Counseling. Reese continued to fraudulently bill for the services she claimed to provide. As a result of her scheme Reese defrauded Indiana Medicaid and Medicare Advantage Plans out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.   

In the course of her scheme, Reese stole the identities of three different legitimate medical professionals. Reese used the names and license numbers of these practitioners to enroll herself in Indiana Medicaid and submit bills.

“This extensive fraud not only contributed to the strain on healthcare programs designed to help the most vulnerable among Indiana’s citizens, but callously preyed upon patients deceived into thinking the therapy they were receiving was from a qualified professional, said United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred, “My thanks to the state and federal investigators whose work led to the significant and necessary sentence that was handed down today.”

“The public relies on the integrity of the health care system, and fraud undermines that trust,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message that health care fraud will not be tolerated. The FBI remains committed to working alongside our state and federal partners to protect patients and safeguard the health care system.”

“This case underscores the serious risks posed by individuals who exploit vulnerable patients and taxpayer-funded programs through fraud,” said Mario M. Pinto, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General – Chicago Region.  “Providing therapy services without proper credentials endangers beneficiaries—especially children—and erodes trust in our health care system.  Yesterday’s sentence reflects our commitment to protecting patients and holding those who engage in health care fraud accountable.”

This case was investigated by the Indiana Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin F. Wolff.

SOUTH BEND – Steven Lerma, III, 25 years old, of Elkhart, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Lerma was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 18 months of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, police found Lerma in possession of a handgun with an extended magazine that held 32 rounds of ammunition. Lerma had previously been convicted of felony theft of a firearm and felony domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury and was thus prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Elkhart Police Department and the Goshen Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Katelan McKenzie Doyle.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

FORT WAYNE – Today, the Hon. Adam L. Mildred was sworn in as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady. U.S. Attorney Mildred was nominated by President Donald J. Trump and then confirmed by the Senate on December 18, 2025.

U.S. Attorney (USA) Mildred is a native of Fort Wayne and a life-long Hoosier. After graduating from Concordia Lutheran High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Ball State University and his Juris Doctor from IU’s Maurer School of Law.  Mr. Mildred then spent his entire career as a professional prosecutor.  Over 28 years of service in Allen and Noble Counties, he prosecuted and tried over 200 cases, including homicides, armed robberies, drug crimes, and other serious felonies.  He also served in several leadership roles, including two years of service as Chief Deputy of the Noble County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Over his decades of service, USA Mildred has lent his talents to numerous other institutions in Fort Wayne and beyond.  Until recently, he served as an Executive Board Member on the Indiana Association of Certified Accident Investigators.  He has served as an Adjunct Criminal Law and Procedure Instructor at the Fort Wayne Police Department and Northeast Indiana Public Safety Academy.  And he has long served in leadership roles in various civic groups.

“It is an honor to assume the leadership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said USA Mildred.  “During my time as a state prosecutor, I saw firsthand the kind of devastation that crime can cause our communities.  I am humbled that President Trump and the U.S. Senate have placed their trust in me to use the powers of federal law enforcement to bring to justice anyone who would prey on our fellow Hoosiers. During my watch, this office will work closely with its state, local, and federal partners to prosecute any and all cartel members, terrorists, drug dealers, child sexual predators, immigration offenders, or violent criminals who violate federal law.  I am confident that our efforts will protect the public safety, uphold the rule of law, and ensure that all citizens’ civil rights are safeguarded.  My thanks go out to everyone who worked to give me this opportunity, and especially my family.”

 ###

SOUTH BEND – Yesterday, Elijah Suggs, 31 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.

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

According to documents in the case, over the course of four transactions, Suggs sold a total of about two pounds of methamphetamine to another person in South Bend.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the St. Joseph County Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katelan McKenzie Doyle and Lydia T. Lucius. 

HAMMOND – Yesterday, Anthony Juan McClendon, 30 years old, of Hammond, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.

McClendon was sentenced to 27 months in prison, 4 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $41,426.14 in restitution to victims of the offense.

According to documents in the case, throughout the summer of 2024, McClendon organized and led a scheme to defraud area financial institutions using U.S. Postal Service money orders that had been altered to reflect higher face values than the amounts for which they had been purchased.  McClendon recruited additional individuals to the scheme, enabling him to expand the criminal enterprise to victimize banks and credit unions located throughout Northern Indiana.  In total, the conspiracy produced and negotiated over $120,000 worth of altered money orders.  Prior to this offense, McClendon had received three state convictions for fraud against a financial institution in various Indiana counties.

McClendon is the third defendant to have been convicted and sentenced in this case.  On October 22, 2025, co-Defendant Reginald Russell was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release for his role in altering low-dollar Postal money orders to reflect higher dollar values at McClendon’s direction.  On November 13, 2025, the court also sentenced co-Defendant Austin Hartman to 18 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release for his role in cashing altered money orders at a local credit union.  Russell and Hartman were both ordered to pay restitution to the victims of the offense.

“In this case, Anthony Juan McClendon and his associates exploited the services of community banks and the United States Postal Service in an effort to make money through fraud” said Proctor.  “As the court’s sentences in this case demonstrate, serial fraudsters will be met with serious consequences for their conduct in the Northern District of Indiana.”   

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Porter County Sheriff’s Office, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Munster Police Department, Hammond Police Department, Lansing (Illinois) Police Department, and others.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary D. Heater. 

SOUTH BEND – Maurice Williams, 30 years old, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.

Williams was sentenced to 264 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, police in LaPorte County attempted to pull Williams over on the highway before he led police on a high-speed pursuit covering 13 miles until he crossed the Michigan border. Williams later drove back across the border into Indiana and crashed his car into the back of a semi-trailer. He ran away from the crash site but was caught. Police searched his car and found a loaded handgun with a high-capacity magazine, 52 grams of cocaine, 50 grams of fentanyl, and 190 grams of methamphetamine. Williams’s criminal history included a felony drug trafficking conviction, which prohibited him from possessing a firearm.

“While wanted on a warrant from a different state, Maurice Williams transported a full menu of harmful drugs—methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine—into the Northern District of Indiana,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Proctor. “He then endangered the lives of numerous citizens on the highway while leading law enforcement on a multi-state high-speed chase that ended in a crash. The lengthy sentence imposed today makes clear that such disregard for the law and the safety of our community will not be tolerated.  We should all thank the state, local, and federal partners who have brought this case to a just conclusion.”

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Indiana State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joel Gabrielse and Acting Criminal Division Chief Joseph P. Falvey.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

HAMMOND – Three Honduran nationals are the latest co-conspirators to be sentenced to prison for their roles in an expansive bank fraud conspiracy resulting in significant losses to small businesses and community banks in more than a dozen states, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor. The sentences were imposed by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon at hearings held on December 12 and 15, 2025.

Carlos Aquino Sosa, 26 years old, of Honduras, was sentenced to 41 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. He was also ordered to pay $533,043 in restitution.

Edwin Palacios Sosa, 27 years old, of Honduras, was sentenced to 27 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of illegal re-entry. He was also ordered to pay $533,043 in restitution.

Delvin Velasquez Romero, 33 years old, of Honduras, received a time-served sentence dating back to July 8, 2024 (approximately 17 months in custody) followed by 1 year of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of illegal re-entry. He was also ordered to pay $233,569 in restitution.

These defendants have no legal status within the United States and will each be subject to a separate and immediate removal process upon release from prison.

According to documents in each case, on January 11, 2023, Aquino Sosa, Palacios Sosa, Velasquez Romero, and their co-conspirators used fake identification cards to cash 169 fraudulent paychecks totaling $233,569 at three branches of the same bank in the Northern District of Indiana. The fraudulent paychecks were designed to look like they had been issued by a company that operates dairy farms in the Northern District of Indiana.

Almost six months later, on June 23, 2023, Aquino Sosa, Palacios Sosa, Velasquez Romero, and their co-conspirators used fake identification cards to cash 178 fraudulent paychecks totaling $299,474 at five branches of the same bank and three check cashing businesses in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The fraudulent paychecks were designed to look like they had been issued by a building materials supply company in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

“Aquino Sosa, Palacios Sosa, and Velasquez Romero participated in a far-reaching conspiracy that caused major financial harm to small businesses and community banks across the United States. Due to the unwavering efforts and collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement in multiple jurisdictions, these defendants were brought to justice for their respective roles in this scheme,” said Proctor. “The sentences imposed by the court send a message that there are real consequences for engaging in fraud, particularly in northwest Indiana.”

“The illicit actions of co-conspirators to commit bank fraud as they travel throughout the United States will not be tolerated,” said Matthew J. Scarpino, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Chicago. “HSI will continue to partner with our fellow law enforcement agencies to disrupt these types of offenders and hold them accountable for their crimes.”

“Sophisticated fraud operations like this require investigative teamwork that spans state lines,” said Sergeant Jeremy Piers, Public Information Officer for the Indiana State Police. “From the first lead to the final arrest, our detectives, troopers, and support staff worked relentlessly alongside federal, state, and local partners to track the suspects’ movements, gather critical evidence, and bring this scheme to an end. This outcome reflects countless hours of coordination and determination, and it sends a clear message: when criminal activity crosses into Indiana, we will work tirelessly with our partners to protect our communities, our businesses, and our financial institutions.”

Co-conspirators Luis Banegas Rodriguez and Ricardo Castro Murillo were previously sentenced to 27 and 37 months in prison, respectively, for their roles in this scheme.

These cases were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the Indiana State Police, with valuable assistance provided by the Benton County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Department, the Benton County (Indiana) Prosecutor’s Office, the Poteau (Oklahoma) Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Travis County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office, the Houston (Texas) Police Department, the Nebraska State Police, and the Stanton County (Nebraska) Sheriff’s Office. The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven J. Lupa from the Northern District of Indiana and Assistant United States Attorneys Kara Traster and Jordan Howanitz from the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Indianapolis comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF, IRS, Indiana State Police, and other partners, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. 

SOUTH BEND – Quervo Taylor, 26 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.

Taylor was sentenced to 82 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a car that Taylor was driving. Taylor did not stop and led police on a high-speed chase through St. Joseph County. The chase lasted over 30 minutes, and Taylor reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour. During the pursuit, Taylor crashed into an officer’s patrol car. He was arrested after driving to the South Bend International Airport, where a barrier arm blocked him from driving any further. Police recovered two loaded firearms that were thrown out of the window of the car that Taylor was driving. One of the firearms was affixed with a machinegun conversion device, and both firearms were equipped with extended magazines. Taylor was a felon and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm. His criminal history includes prior felonies for carrying a handgun without a license within 500 feet of a school, possession of methamphetamine, and resisting law enforcement.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the South Bend Police Department and the St. Joseph County Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

SOUTH BEND – Jamaal Husband, 42 years old, of Mishawaka, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.

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

According to documents in the case, police executed a search warrant at Husband’s house and found two firearms, about 146 grams of methamphetamine, and smaller amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Mishawaka Police Department and the Indiana State Police Laboratory. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse. 

HAMMOND- Marco Sole, 52 years old, of Lynwood, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.

Sole was sentenced to 360 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on June 2, 2022, Sole delivered over 40 grams of fentanyl to another person. He also sold fentanyl on other occasions in Illinois and Indiana. During a search of a stash house Sole operated in Chicago, Illinois, law enforcement recovered additional fentanyl and firearms.

“From his home in Lynwood, Illinois, and a stash house in Chicago, Marco Sole mixed heroin with other even deadlier substances, including fentanyl, p-flourofentanyl (a fentanyl analogue), and xylazine, before delivering those drugs to the Northern District of Indiana, often using an intermediary he directed,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Proctor. “This hefty sentence should make one thing clear to any out-of-state drug dealer who might be planning to traffic his poisons in Indiana: the state line will not shield you, and you will be brought to justice. My thanks go out to the brave and talented public servants who brought and prosecuted this case.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI/GRIT Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, HIDTA, the Indiana State Police, and assistance from the Lynwood Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Toth and Kristian R. Mukoski. 

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Indianapolis comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF, IRS, Indiana State Police, and other partners, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.