Northern District of Indiana

Hammond South Bend Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, Indiana - The United States Attorney's Office announced that a Grand Jury sitting in South Bend, Indiana, returned the following Indictment on May 14, 2014: Alvaro Rivera-Arvayo, 23, Luis A. Ramirez-Perez, 49, and Matthew D. Hottinger, 38, all of Fort Wayne, Indiana, are charged in a two count Indictment. All defendants were charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and Hottinger was also charged with managing and controlling a drug involved premises, all occurring on or about April 15, 2014. These charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the Immigration Customs Enforcement/Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Indiana State Police, Allen County Drug Task Force, Allen County Police Department, New Haven Police Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.
The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Fort Wayne, Indiana —The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEAS (before Magistrate Judge Roger B. Cosbey:)

Charley Gonzalez III, 26, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of knowingly conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Fort Wayne Safe Streets Task Force, Indiana State Police, Fort Wayne Police Department, Allen County Police Department, Allen County Drug Task Force and the New Haven Police Department.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

Damion Alexander, 20, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Wayne Police Department.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller-Lowery.

Narciso Soto III, 32, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of knowingly maintaining drug-involved premises. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Fort Wayne Safe Streets Task Force, Indiana State Police, Fort Wayne Police Department, Allen County Police Department, Allen County Drug Task Force and the New Haven Police Department.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

Joseph Luna, 37, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of knowingly conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Fort Wayne Safe Streets Task Force, Indiana State Police, Fort Wayne Police Department, Allen County Police Department, Allen County Drug Task Force and the New Haven Police Department.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

Manuel Herrera, 44, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled a substance. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea. Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI Fort Wayne Safe Streets Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.The Fort Wayne Safe Streets Task Force is comprised of FBI agents and officers from the Indiana State Police, Allen County Police Department, and Fort Wayne Police Department.The New Haven Police Department, Steuben County Sheriff's Department, Elkhart County Interdiction and Covert Enforcement Unit, South Bend Police Department, and IMAGE Drug Task Force assisted with this investigation.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller-Lowery.

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

DISPOSITION (before District Judge Theresa L. Springmann:)

Armando Gonzalez-Gutierrez, 44, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced to 1 year and 1 day with time served and 3 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.According to documents filed in this case, between July 2011 and February 2013 investigation revealed the existence of a large scale narcotics distribution conspiracy operating in northeastern Indiana and southern lower Michigan.Gonzales – Gutierrez was a part of that network and obtained quantities of cocaine for distribution to his customers.This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation .This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller-Lowery.

Hammond, Indiana - The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEAS:

Jeremy Lloyd, 22, of Gary, Indiana, pled guilty before Senior District Judge James Moody to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives HIDTA Task Force, the Gary Police Department and the Indiana State Police.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Padilla.

Tambra Ducker, 25, of Indianapolis, Indiana, pled guilty before Senior District Judge James Moody to the felony offense of possession with the intent to distribute heroin.This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dean Lanter and Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Kiontay Pennington, 35, of Gary, Indiana, pled guilty before Chief Judge Philip Simon to the felony offense of homicide in the aid of racketeering activity. Sentencing has been set for 9/2/14.This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Nozick and Thomas McGrath.

James Huddleston, 41, of Wheatfield, Indiana, pled guilty before District Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to the felony offense of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dean Lanter and Gary Bell.

Jennifer Kurek, 40, of Hobart, Indiana, pled guilty before District Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to the felony offense of theft of government property.Sentencing has been set for 7/17/14.This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Social Security Administration.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gary Bell.

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

DISPOSITION:

Alejandro Murillo, 27, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon to 57 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.According to documents filed in this case, Murillo was arrested on Interstate 65 near Demotte, Indiana, while driving a vehicle containing 1,498 gross grams of methamphetamine, which he had hidden near the motor of the vehicle. Immigration law enforcement officials determined that Murillo is an illegal alien. This case was a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration HIDTA Task Force.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean Lanter.

South Bend, Indiana — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

DISPOSITION (before District Judge Jon E. DeGuilio:)

Tyrone Franklin, 35, of Michigan City, Indiana was sentenced to 100 months imprisonment with 3 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm.According to documents filed in this case, on July 24, 2013, Franklin possessed a Rock Island semi-automatic handgun. Franklin had been previously convicted of a felony in Porter County Superior Court in 2004. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Fort Wayne, Indiana —The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

DISPOSITION (before District Judge Theresa L. Springmann:)

Natalie Catalan, 26, of Warsaw, Indiana was sentenced to time served for imprisonment and to serve 2 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.According to documents filed in this case, in 2010, Catalan assisted convicted drug dealer Jonathan Aramburo with arranging for and delivering marijuana from Mexico into the United States. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force and the Whitley County Sheriff's Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

Hammond, Indiana - The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEAS:

Linda Rosenberg, 60, of Chicago, Illinois, pled guilty before District Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to the felony offenses of participating in a conspiracy to receive kickbacks for the referral of Medicaid and Medicare patients to other services providers, dispensing a controlled substance outside the scope of professional practice and legitimate medical purpose and misbranding.Sentencing has been set for 9/10/14.These charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane Berkowitz.

Rene Patterson, 32, of Griffith, Indiana, pled guilty before Senior District Judge James Moody to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas McGrath.

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

DISPOSITIONS:

Gary Lindsey, 35, of Markham, Illinois, was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon to 27 months of imprisonment and 2 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of passing counterfeit obligations.Lindsey was also ordered to pay $4,550 in restitution. In a separate matter, Lindsey was also sentenced to 30 months imprisonment and 2 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession of a stolen firearm.These sentences will run concurrently. This case was a result of an investigation by the United States Secret Service.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randall Stewart.

Jermel Washington, 38, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by District Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to 8 months of imprisonment and 2 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a non-registered firearm (sawed off shotgun).According to documents filed in this case, Washington not only possessed a sawed off shotgun, for which he failed to obtain a license, but according to his own statement, fired it in a residential neighborhood after his was assaulted by another individual. When police initially attempted to question him about the shooting, Washington ran into an apartment which caused a short pursuit before he finally voluntarily surrendered. This case was a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Gary Police Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas McGrath.

Brandon Reign Jackson, 40, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior District Judge James Moody to 63 months imprisonment and 2 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.Jackson has prior convictions for domestic violence and dealing in a lookalike controlled substance.This case was a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hammond Police Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas McGrath.

South Bend, Indiana — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEAS before Magistrate Judge Christopher A. Nuechterlein:

David Perry, 55, of South Bend, Indiana, pled guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Sentencing has been set for 7/30/14.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Maciejczyk.

Demarcus Bowling, 21, of South Bend, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Sentencing has been set for 7/30/14.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

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

DISPOSITIONS:

Christopher Simmons, 43, of Goshen, Indiana was sentenced by United States Magistrate Judge Christopher Nuechterlein to 1 year on probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, after pleading guilty to the felony offense of taking, killing, or possessing migratory birds.According to documents filed in this case, in March 2012, Simmons illegally killed and took migratory birds native to the United States, specifically, great horned owls and red tailed hawks. This case was the result of an investigation by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Services.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid .

Silvino Alonso-Pineda, 37, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced by District Judge Robert Miller, Jr. to 30 months of imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to two (2) felony offenses: illegally re-entering the United States after being deported and having a prior aggravated felony conviction; and possessing cocaine with intent to distribute.According to documents filed in this case, in October 2013, law enforcement officers met with a confidential informant for the purpose of making a purchase of cocaine from Alonso-Pineda. When Alonso-Pineda arrived at a predetermined location, he was apprehended with 14.7 grams of cocaine and $766.00 in his possession. In April 1999, Alonso-Pineda, a Mexican citizen, was charged in California with possession of heroin and cocaine with the intent to distribute.He later pled guilty and was ordered removed back to Mexico at the Calexico Port of Entry. At no time thereafter was Alonso-Pineda given permission to lawfully re-enter the United States. This case was the result of an investigation by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid .

Adam Shetler, 33, of Goshen, Indiana was sentenced by District Judge Jon DeGuilio to five years of supervised probation, after pleading guilty to the felony offense of theft of government property. Shetler was also ordered to pay $32,689.50 in restitution. According to documents filed in this case, from approximately January 2009 through December 2010, Shetler applied for and received extended unemployment insurance benefits through the State of Indiana Department of Work Force Development. He submitted weekly vouchers to IDWD and intentionally answered "No" to the question as to whether he was working.In truth, Shetler was employed.This case was the result of an investigation by the United States Department of Labor .This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Brook.

Lashaun Murry, 33, of Michigan City, Indiana was sentenced by District Judge Jon DeGuilio to 70 months of imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.According to documents filed in this case, in October 2013, Murry possessed a Smith & Wesson handgun. Previously, Murry had been convicted in 2011 of a felony in the LaPorte County Superior Court. This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Charles Douglas, 34, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced by District Judge Jon DeGuilio to 110 months imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.According to documents filed in this case, Douglas possessed in October 2012, a shotgun at 1407 Fremont Street in South Bend, Indiana. At the time he possessed the shotgun, Douglas was a convicted felon, having been convicted of several felony crimes including: dealing cocaine, criminal confinement, residential entry, and battery. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid .

Fort Wayne, Indiana —The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEAS before US Magistrate Judge Roger Cosbey:

Augustine Luna, 26, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of knowingly conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

Nathan Hasty, 36, of Huntington, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of sexual exploitation of children. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller-Lowery.

Edward Williams, 32, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller-Lowery.

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

DISPOSITIONS before United States District Judge Theresa L. Springmann:

Ryan Lasuer, 27, of Warsaw, Indiana, who has been detained since his arrest in 2011, was sentenced to time served and 2 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and with being a felon in possession of a firearm.According to documents filed in this case, Lasuer maintained a drug relationship with Jonathan Aramburo and obtained marijuana from Aramburo for distribution. Lasuer recruited Whitney Sparkman to transport marijuana. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force and the Whitley County Sheriff's Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller .

Christine Hagan, 33, of Fort Wayne, IN was sentenced to 2 years of probation after pleading guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.According to documents filed in this case, Hagan was involved in the transport of marijuana for Jonathan Aramburo. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force and the Whitley County Sheriff's Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller .

Hammond, Indiana - The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

DISPOSITIONS:

John Michael Johnson, 44, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior District Judge Rudy Lozano to 24 months of probation, to include 12 months of home detention, after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.According to documents filed in this case, Johnson has a prior conviction for battery. This case was a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lake County Police Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

South Bend, IN—The United States Attorney's Office announced that a Grand Jury sitting in South Bend, Indiana, returned the following Indictments on April 9, 2014:

Kevin Becerril, 19, of South Bend, Indiana, was charged in a one count Indictment with felon in possession of a firearm.These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer.

Jerome White, 24, of South Bend, Indiana, was charged in a three count Indictment with one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of felon in possession of firearm(s).These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer.

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

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

South Bend, Indiana — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEAS before Magistrate Judge Christopher A. Nuechterlein:

Timothy Heckaman, 52, of Bremen, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of theft of government property . The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Department of Labor.Sentencing has been set for 7/22/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Brook.

Frederick Dotson, 40, of Mishawaka, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime . The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency.Sentencing has been set for 7/17/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Shaffer.

Leroy Clark, 22, of South Bend, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm . The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Sentencing has been set for 7/24/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jesse Barrett.

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

DISPOSITION before Magistrate Judge Christopher A. Nuechterlein:

Ronald Simmons, 44, of Goshen, Indiana was sentenced to 1 year probation and ordered to pay a fine of $1000 after pleading guilty to the misdemeanor offense of taking, killing, or possessing migratory birds.According to documents filed in this case, in March 2012, Simmons illegally killed and took migratory birds native to the United States or its territories and protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, specifically great horned owls and red tailed hawks.This case was the result of an investigation by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Services.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

Fort Wayne, Indiana —The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEAS before United States Magistrate Judge Roger B. Cosbey:

Trevor Rodriguez, 23, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offenses of knowingly selling a firearm to a convicted felon and aiding and abetting . The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lovita Morris-King.

Devonte Travier, 23, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of aiding and abetting the use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence . The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Wayne Police Department.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tina Nommay.

Travon Russell, 22, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm . The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Wayne Police Department.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller Lowery.

Deyante Stephens, 22, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of aiding and abetting armed bank robbery . The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Northeast Indiana Federal Bank Robbery Task Force and the Fort Wayne Police Department.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

Darwin Altamirano, 30, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of being a misprision of a felony . The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigations Fort Wayne Safe Streets Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the New Haven Police Department, Steuben County Sheriff's Department, Elkhart County Interdiction and Covert Enforcement Unit, South Bend Police Department and the IMAGE Drug Task Force.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller Lowery.

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

DISPOSITION before District Judge Theresa L. Springmann:

Whitney Sparkman, 26, of Warsaw, Indiana was sentenced to 2 years probation after pleading guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.According to documents filed in this case, in July 2010, Sparkman was involved in the transport of marijuana from Arizona to the Northern District of Indiana for distribution.This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

Javier Madrigal, 36, of Wawaka, Indiana was sentenced to 262 months imprisonment, 5 years supervised release and to pay $22,729.38 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of distribution of methamphetamine.According to documents filed in this case, in 2013, Madrigal, a major drug trafficker, was involved in the distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the IMAGE Drug Task force, Indiana State Police, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Ligonier Police Department, the Fort Wayne Police Department and the FWPD Emergency Services Team.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

Jasper Williams, 26, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment and 60 months imprisonment to be served consecutively, 3 years supervised release and to pay $280 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of knowingly or intentionally possessing with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and with knowingly carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.According to documents filed in this case, in April 2012, Williams sold crack and carried a Hi-Point, .40 caliber firearm while distributing the narcotic.This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Wayne Police Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

Beth Boger, 47, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release and to pay $364,395 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of wire fraud and income tax evasion.According to documents filed in this case, in March 2006, Boger filed a false tax return greatly reducing her taxable income and tax due to the United States government.This case was the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller-Lowery.

Trent Moore, 44, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced to 188 months imprisonment with 8 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of distribution of cocaine and crack.According to documents filed in this case, between February and June 2010, Moore sold more than 50 grams of crack.In April 2010, Moore also sold cocaine.This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller-Lowery.

Jonathan Aramburo, 26, of Warsaw, Indiana was sentenced to 157 months imprisonment with 4 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offenses of carrying a firearm during and relation to a drug trafficking crime and conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana.According to documents filed in this case, from January 2010 until February 2011, Aramburo and others were involved in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana in the Northern District of Indiana.This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force and the Whitley County Sheriff's Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

Antonio Flores, 26, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment with 5 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana.According to documents filed in this case, from January 2011 until March 2011, Flores along with several others, trafficked narcotics in the Fort Wayne area.This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Fort Wayne Safe Streets Task Force, Indiana State Police, Fort Wayne Police Department, Allen County Police Department, Allen County Drug Task Force, New Haven Police Department, with assistance from GRIT and the Indianapolis Metro PD.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

Hammond, Indiana - The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

INDICTMENTS:

Jeremiah Ellis, 28, and Ashley Patterson, 24, both of East Chicago, Indiana were charged with the bank robbery of the First Merchants Bank in East Chicago and with the use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Chicago Police Department.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

DeCarlos Frazier, 30, of Chicago, Illinois, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.This charge was filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives HIDTA Task Force.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Akeem Dillon, 28, of Chicago, Illinois, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.This charge was filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Chicago Police Department.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas McGrath.

William D. Cantrell, 59, of Valparaiso, Indiana, was charged with internet stalking.This charge was filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Susan Collins.

Nathan Huey-Dingle, 32, of South Bend, Indiana, was charged in a superseding indictment with additional counts of a Mann Act violation, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and a Travel Act violation.These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jill Koster.

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

PLEAS:

Dajon Rowlett, 31, of Gary, Indiana, pled guilty before Senior District Judge Rudy Lozano to the felony offense of distribution of crack cocaine.This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation GRIT Task Force.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Hudie Scott, 27, of Gary, Indiana, pled guilty before Senior District Judge Rudy Lozano to the felony offense of distribution of crack cocaine.This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation GRIT Task Force.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Beaver Bernard Russell, 59, of Benton Harbor, Michigan, pled guilty before Senior District Judge Rudy Lozano to the felony offenses of the bank robbery of each of the following banks:Mutual Bank in South Bend, Indiana, Fifth Third Bank in Munster, Indiana and M&I Bank in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.These charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Nozick and Dean Lanter.

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

DISPOSITIONS:

Cedric Payton, 39, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior District Judge Rudy Lozano to 37 months of imprisonment and 2 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.Payton has a prior felony conviction for sexual misconduct with a minor and failure to register as a sex offender. This case was a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives HIDTA Task Force.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Padilla.

Jeannie Bellar, 55, was sentenced by Senior District Judge Rudy Lozano to 1 day imprisonment, with time considered served, and 1 year of supervised release to include 8 months of home detention after pleading guilty to the felony offense of embezzlement from First Financial Bank.Bellar is also to pay a $4000 fine and she has already paid $17,000 in restitution. This case was a result of an investigation by the United States Secret Service.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randall Stewart.

Hammond, Indiana - United States Attorney David Capp announced that Steven Borchert was sentenced to 51 months of imprisonment and 1 year of supervised release after being found guilty of filing nine false income tax returns for the years 2001 – 2009.

Borchert , age 53, of rural Warren County, Indiana, operated a carpet cleaning business in West Lafayette.Borchert’s business generated over $1.8 million in gross revenue during the years in question which should have been reported on his tax returns.Borchert, however, maintained that only income received directly from the federal government was taxable and that his private income did not constitute reportable income.Borchert filed bogus tax returns and reported “zero income.”Borchert’s arguments were categorically rejected by the district court and the jury.

Borchert’s assertions were based, in part, on the website LostHorizons, and a book called “Cracking the Code” written by Peter Hendrickson. Both the website and book encouraged people to file “zero income” tax returns because the Internal Revenue Code only applied to a very small group of people.Some of the theories included that wages and business activity are not income under the Code.The website and book fail to mention that Hendrickson has been twice convicted for federal tax offenses. Hendrickson’s most recent conviction was for filing “zero income” tax returns, the same conduct for which Borchert was convicted. For more information, please go to http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2013/June/13-tax-657.html ; US v. Hendrickson, 664 F. Supp. 2d 793 (E.D. MI 2009), and 2103 WL 1759170 (E.D. MI 2013).

United States Attorney Capp stated, “The Borchert conviction should serve as fair warning to any other persons who subscribe to this “zero income” argument.The United States Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service, will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute those who file these bogus tax returns.”

This case was the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gary Bell.

Hammond, Indiana- The United States Attorney’s Office announced that the following Indictments were returned on April 17, 2014:

Jeremiah Ellis, 28, and Ashley Patterson, 24, both of East Chicago, Indiana were charged with the bank robberies of the First Merchants Bank in East Chicago and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Chicago Police Department.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

DeCarlos Frazier, 30, of Chicago, Illinois, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.This charge was filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives HIDTA Task Force.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Akeem Dillon, 28, of Chicago, Illinois, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.This charge was filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Chicago Police Department.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas McGrath.

William D. Cantrell, 59, of Valparaiso, Indiana, was charged with internet stalking.This charge was filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Susan Collins.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Mary Hatton

www.usdoj.gov/usao/inn/ CELL: (219) 314-9993

mary.hatton@usdoj.gov

Hammond, Indiana- United States Attorney David Capp announced today two indictments naming Keith Soderquist, the Mayor of Lake Station.

The first indictment charges Soderquist, age 44, and his wife, Deborah Soderquist, age 55, who was employed as the administrative assistant to Mayor Soderquist.

The indictment alleges a conspiracy between Keith and Deborah Soderquist to commit wire fraud in connection with financial transactions involving the Mayor’s campaign finance account and the Lake Station Food Pantry account.  These accounts were allegedly utilized by the Soderquists to obtain cash for personal expenses, including gambling activities at casinos in Indiana and Michigan.

The indictment also charges both Keith and Deborah Soderquist with filing false tax returns for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012.  The basis for the tax charges is their failure to disclose the money they took from the campaign and food pantry account that they converted to their own personal uses.

The second indictment names Keith Soderquist, Deborah Soderquist, and Miranda Brakley, age 33, a former employee of Lake Station.  Brakley is charged in Count 1 of the second indictment with theft of funds from Lake Station from August 1, 2011 through July 31, 2012.  Brakley is also charged in Count 2 with bankruptcy fraud for failing to disclose certain payments received from Lake Station on her bankruptcy schedules.

Keith and Deborah Soderquist are charged in Count 3 of the second indictment for being accessories after the fact.  That Count alleges that, after knowing that Brakley had committed the theft alleged in Count 1, they assisted Brakley in order to hinder and prevent Brakley’s apprehension, trial and punishment.

The last count alleges that Keith and Deborah Soderquist structured a series of financial transactions in order to avoid the reporting requirements under federal law.  The indictment alleges that in December 2012, the Soderquists obtained $15,000 from an individual.  They instructed that individual to write three checks in amounts less than $10,000 (the reporting requirement under federal law) and to back date two of those checks.  From December 8-12, 2012, those checks were cashed at different branches of JP Morgan Chase bank.

The investigation which led to the second indictment was initiated after a State Board of Accounts audit disclosed missing funds that had been posted as bond money with the Lake Station City Court.

United States Attorney David Capp stated, “These indictments are part of this office’s ongoing public corruption investigation.  Today’s indictments were the result of an extensive investigative effort by the FBI, IRS and ISP.  This investigative team will continue to investigate allegations of abuse of the public trust.”

The Soderquists and Brakley are expected to surrender to authorities at the Hammond federal courthouse Thursday morning.

This case is a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service and the Indiana State Police.This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joshua Kolar and Philip Benson.

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

South Bend, Indiana — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEAS before Magistrate Judge Christopher A. Nuechterlein:

Shan Skinner, 44, of Portage, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm . The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Sentencing has been set for 7/17/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Willie Long, 23, of Elkhart, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm . The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Sentencing has been set for 7/15/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

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

DISPOSITIONS before District Judge Jon E. DeGuilio:

Angela White, 28, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 2 years supervised probation and to pay $36,705 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to defraud the United States Department of the Treasury.According to documents filed in this case, White participated with others in a false tax return preparation and filing scheme in South Bend, Indiana. Individuals prepared and submitted Forms 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns, with false or inflated Forms W-2 to obtain false tax refunds. Within the scheme approximately 1,189 tax returns were submitted for tax years 2008, 2009, and 2010 requesting a total of approximately $3,543,794.00 in tax refunds. White opened and controlled bank accounts that received tax refunds from these false tax returns. This case was the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Brian Lindsey, 27, of La Porte, Indiana was sentenced to 1 year supervised probation, 94 hours community service, and to pay $680, $100 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes.According to documents filed in this case, in December 2012, Lindsey purchased two Nook Notebook tablet computers using counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes in the denomination of twenty dollars in the total amount of $240 at a local department store.Lindsey was aware the bills were falsely made, forged and counterfeited at the time that he gave them to the cashier.This case was the result of an investigation by the United States Secret Service.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Maciejczyk.

Fort Wayne, Indiana —The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEAS before District Roger B. Cosbey:

Stefanie Redfern, 31, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of maintaining a drug involved premises. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Postal Service, and the Indiana State Police.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tina Nommay.

Hayley VanDurmen, 23, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of knowingly selling a firearm to a convicted felon and aiding and abetting. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lovita Morris-King.

Christopher Smith, 31, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Wayne Police Department.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tina Nommay.

Eddie Carlisle, 26, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Wayne Police Department.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

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

DISPOSITION before District Judge Theresa L. Springmann:

Contrel Johnson, 23, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced to 57 months imprisonment with 2 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.According to documents filed in this case, on February 3, 2013, Fort Wayne Police Department stopped Johnson while driving due to potential intoxication while operating the vehicle.Officers searched Johnson’s vehicle and found a loaded firearm in the glove box.This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Wayne Police Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lovita Morris-King.

WASHINGTON – Assistant Attorney General Kathryn Keneally for the Tax Division and U.S. Attorney David A. Capp of the Northern District of Indiana announced today that Ronald Eugene Jamerson, 56, of Schererville, Ind., was sentenced to serve [XX] months in prison by U.S. District Judge Phillip P. Simon. Jamerson was also ordered to pay $___ in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for unpaid individual income taxes and employment taxes. On Oct. 25, 2013, Jamerson pleaded guilty to one count of willfully failing to truthfully account for, collect and pay over employment taxes to the IRS.According to the plea agreement, the total tax loss owed for all tax periods from 2003 through 2008 is approximately $541,083.

The case was investigated by Special Agents from IRS - Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Erin S. Mellen and Chris J. Maietta of the Tax Division, with valuable support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Hammond, Ind.

14-XXX

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South Bend, Indiana — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEA (before Magistrate Judge Christopher A. Nuechterlein:)

Marcelino Ruiz-Robles, 37, of South Bend, Indiana, pled guilty to the felony offense of knowingly or intentionally distributing a mixture or substance containing cocaine. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency.Sentencing has been set for 7/3/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Patrick Condon, Jr., 41, of South Bend, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of theft of government property. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea. Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Department of Labor.Sentencing has been set for 7/10/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Brook.

Tiffany J. Miller, 28, of Cromwell, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of theft of government property. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Department of Labor.Sentencing has been set for 7/10/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Brook.

Devon Stewart, 40, of South Bend, Indiana, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offenses of possession of crack with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Sentencing has been set for 7/3/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

DISPOSITIONS (before District Judge Jon E. DeGuilio:)

Areryaunna Parahams, 21, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 3 years supervised probation, 8 months location monitoring on home detention and ordered to pay $32,629.16 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to defraud the United States Department of the Treasury.According to documents filed in this case, Parahams participated with others in a false tax return preparation and filing scheme in South Bend, Indiana.At least two U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns, with false or inflated W-2 forms were submitted in Parahams’ name to obtain refunds. Within the scheme, over 1,000 tax returns were submitted for tax years 2008, 2009, and 2010 requesting improper tax refunds. Parahams opened and controlled bank accounts, where some of these false tax returns were deposited.She also shared in the funds received from the fraudulent tax returns. This case was the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Department.The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Demonte Brantley, 19, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment with 3 years on supervised release, after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.According to documents filed in this case, law enforcement officers became aware of Brantley, his possession of a firearm and his plan to commit a robbery. Law enforcement officers were able to identify this person as Brantley and steered him into a controlled operation.While traveling to commit a robbery under the sting, Brantley was stopped by police officers directed by federal agents.Brantley attempted to discard a loaded Intratec 9mm handgun, but the weapon was recovered by federal agents.When Brantley initially took possession of the firearm, prior to the time of the planned robbery, the serial numbers of the firearm had been already been scratched off and Brantley was aware of the alteration to the serial number. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

Hammond, Indiana - The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

DISPOSITIONS:

Ronier Scott, 42, of Gary, Indiana, a Gary City Councilman, was sentenced by Magistrate Judge John Martin to 3 months imprisonment and 1 year of supervised release after pleading guilty to two counts of willful failure to file a federal tax return for the tax years 2008 and 2009.Scott was also ordered to perform 400 hours of community service to be completed within 10 months after release from the Bureau of Prisons.According to documents filed in this case, in addition to not filing tax returns for 2008 and 2009, he also chose not to file for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. For 2004, Scott filed a joint return and collected a refund. For 2005, Scott filed a joint tax return and expected to receive a refund, but it was applied to the 2003 debt. For 2006, Scott did not file his tax return until 2011, after he had been contacted by criminal investigators. For 2007, Scott filed a separate return and under-reported his income. This case was a result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gary Bell.

Turrell Anderson, 41, of East Chicago, Indiana, was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon to 42 months imprisonment and 2 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Anderson has a prior conviction for possession of a firearm by a felon. This case was a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the East Chicago Police Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas McGrath.

Willie Harris, 24, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon to 156 months imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $299,298.67 in restitution after being found guilty at trial to the felony offenses of conspiracy to commit fraud with identification documents, fraud with identification documents, trafficking in counterfeit devices and aggravated identity theft.According to documents filed in this case, Harris obtained the account and personal information of individuals in over 21 states and fraudulently added their names to the victims’ accounts in an account takeover scheme.Harris and his co-conspirators either utilized their own names or utilized aliases with the accounts which had been taken over.They would purchase gift cards, Postal money orders, and make numerous retail purchases with the fraudulently obtained credit cards throughout Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Georgia.They also made cash withdrawals on the accounts and utilized the convenience checks associated with the accounts at various financial institutions located in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Georgia.Throughout the course of this criminal conduct, they would also mail gift cards, Postal money orders, and U.S. currency from Indiana and Wisconsin to Georgia. This case was a result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Toi Houston.

South Bend, Indiana — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

Jonathan Parahams, Jr., 28, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 92 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release and to pay $2,572,350.52 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to defraud the United States Department of the Treasury.According to documents filed in this case, Parahams was arrested at a local hotel by SBPD on drug and gun charges. During this arrest, officers found a laptop computer in his hotel room.After his arrest, a local bank contacted the DEA with information about unusual activity on bank accounts associated with Parahams, including the withdrawing $450,000.00.A search warrant was procured for Parahams’ laptop and the search uncovered information relating to the tax scheme.

Since at least the beginning of 2009, Parahams and others associated with him, participated in a scheme to defraud by submitting fraudulent U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns, using false or inflated Forms W-2.This scheme resulted in the submission of 226 false tax returns for tax year 2008, 652 false returns for tax year 2009, and 311 false returns for tax year 2010.As a result of these false returns, Parahams and others obtained refunds Internal Revenue Service, via direct deposit, into multiple bank accounts owned by the conspirators or into bank accounts owned by other account holders but controlled by Parahams. Some of these account holders knowingly assisted in disbursing refunds at the direction of Parahams and his fellow conspirators.

Parahams obtained the information to submit false returns in several ways:some clients either sold their information for a fee, others sought out members of the conspiracy to have a tax return prepared, while others were recruited by Parahams. Clients who provided their information for a fee, gave personal identifiers such as their name and social security number in exchange for cash or a prepaid debit card that later came in the mail. Those clients that sought out the conspirators to have legitimate tax return preparation after being told larger refunds could be obtained using the services ofParahams’ associates.These larger refunds wereobtained by using false Form W-2information. Other persons were recruited to file a tax return with Parahams or another conspirator in order to obtain a tax refund even though the client had no intentions or duty to file otherwise.Parahams and his coconspirators recruited clients personally and/or paid others a referral fee for referring clients.

Parahams was incarcerated in St. Joseph County Jail in August of 2010. While incarcerated, Parahams made numerous phone calls to his co-conspirators which were openly recorded by the jail as a normal course of business. These recordings showed that Parahams was still actively involved with the scheme while incarcerated.

Parahams and others started the scheme in 2009 with the submission of false 2008 tax returns. The scheme continued with the submission of 2009 tax returns and then 2010 tax returns. The last tax return identified with the scheme was filed with the Internal Revenue Service in July 2011.

This case was handled by the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana.Frank Schaffer, Assistant U.S. Attorney.This case was the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Department.

Hammond South Bend Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, Indiana - The United States Attorney's Office announced that a Grand Jury sitting in Fort Wayne, Indiana, returned the following Indictment on March 26, 2014: Kelvin B. Walker, 49, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, is charged in a six count Indictment with making a false claim on IRS tax returns on or about April 18, 2011, February 16, 2011, January
19, 2012, March 30, 2011, January 7, 2012 and April 17, 2012. These charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and the Fort Wayne Police Department. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lovita Morris King.
The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Hammond, Indiana - The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

DISPOSITION (before Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen)

Joseph Smith, 23, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 30 months term of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release on his guilty plea to the felony offense of conspiracy to distribute heroin.According to documents filed in this case, local law enforcement officers were notified of Smith’s involvement in the distribution of heroin.After investigations were conducted, it was determined that Smith drove another individual to various locations to deliver narcotics.This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Kolar.

Fort Wayne, Indiana —The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

DISPOSITIONS (before District Judge Theresa L. Springmann)

Jose Noe Perea Casteneda, 41, of Goshen, Indiana was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to distribute and possess a controlled substance. Supervised release was not ordered as defendant may be subject to deportation.According to documents filed in this case, Castenda was a supplier of cocaine to several individuals distributing narcotics in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller-Lowery.

Deangelo Copeland, 36, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced to 51 months imprisonment with 2 years supervised release for armed bank robbery and was also sentenced to 60 months imprisonment with 2 years supervised release for carrying and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.The firearms sentence is to be served consecutively to the armed bank robbery sentence.Copeland was also sentenced to pay $16,405.39 in restitution.According to documents filed in this case, in April 2013, a local credit union was robbed by two assailants.Local law enforcement investigations determined that Copeland assisted in the robbery’s planning and execution.This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

Sergio Alvarez-Arellano, 26, of Warsaw, Indiana was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment with 4 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possessing with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, namely 500 grams or more of cocaine.According to documents filed in this case, Alvarez-Arellano was a supplier of cocaine to several individuals distributing narcotics in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

PLEAS (before Magistrate Judge Christopher A. Nuechterlein):

David Diederich, 58, of La Porte, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Sentencing has been set for 6/26/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Brittany Coburn, 23, of La Porte, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of obstructing the mail. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by Office of the Inspector General.Sentencing has been set for 6/11/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jesse Barrett.

DISPOSITIONS( before District Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr..)

Evan Vanator, 23, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with 1 year supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm while being an illegal user of controlled substances.According to documents filed in this case, Vanator possessed a Keltec semi-automatic handgun in his residence in St. Joseph County, Indiana. Vanator was also an illegal user of marijuana during his possession of this firearm. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Robert Lyons, 32, of Michigan City, Indiana was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment with 4 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of manufacturing marijuana.According to documents filed in this case, in May 2013, law enforcement officers discovered marijuana growth system in Lyons’ residence. This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Hammond South Bend Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, Indiana - The United States Attorney's Office announced that a Grand Jury sitting in Fort Wayne, Indiana, returned the following Indictment on March 26, 2014: Beau A. Eldridge, 28, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, is charged in a single count Indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about February 22, 2014. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Wayne Police Department. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lovita Morris King.
The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

South Bend, Indiana — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEAS (before Magistrate Judge Christopher A. Nuechterlein:)

Brian Baker, 23, of South Bend, Indiana, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offenses of possessing heroin with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Sentencing has been set for 6/26/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

Robert D. Carrico, 29, of South Bend, Indiana, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offenses of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute and possession of firearms in furtherance of federal drug trafficking crimes. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Sentencing has been set for 6/25/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

DISPOSITION( before District Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr.)

Abraham DeLuna-Esparza, 39, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 78 months imprisonment to be served concurrently with 3 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offenses of illegally re-entering the United States after being deported subsequent to a conviction for an aggravated felony andto possessing cocaine/marijuana with intent to distribute.According to documents filed in this case, DeLuna was arrested in March 2010 for the possession of approximately 15 pounds of marijuana.He was convicted sentenced to 3 months incarceration.DeLuna was then turned over to the Department of Homeland Security for removal from the United States because he was a citizen of Mexico.DeLuna was formally removed to Mexico in June 2010 through Laredo, Texas.At no time thereafter was Deluna given any permission to lawfully re-enter the United States.In December 2013, Deluna was found at his residence in South Bend, Indiana.Agents and police searched the home and recovered a loaded Ruger 9 mm handgun, 47 pounds marijuana, and 493.3 grams of cocaine (powder).This case was the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the South Bend Police Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

Hammond, Indiana - The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEA:

Linda Rosenberg, 59, pled guilty before to the felony offenses of conspiracy to receive kickbacks for the referral of Medicaid and Medicare patients to other service providers, dispensing a controlled substance outside of the scope of professional practice and misbranding.This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane Berkowitz.

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

DISPOSITION:

Kenneth Robinson, 36, of Illinois, was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon tomonths imprisonment and years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of health care fraud by submitting false claims to Indiana Medicaid for Medicaid recipients’ physician office visits in July 2011.According to documents filed in this case, Robinson caused over $5,000 in medical claims to be submitted to not only Indiana Medicaid but also to other medical insurance providers including the Medicare program. This case was a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Labor.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane Berkowitz.

PLEAS (before District Judge Roger B. Cosbey:)

Bryant Davis, 39, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Sentencing has not been scheduled.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

Matthew Vanschoick, 27, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of bank robbery. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller-Lowery.

DISPOSITIONS (before District Judge Theresa L. Springmann:)

Brandon Betz, 33, of Bluffton, Indiana was sentenced to 46 months imprisonment with 2 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of retaliating against a witness, victim, or an informant.According to documents filed in this case, Betz along with several others assaulted a fellow inmate in Wells County jail.The motive for the attack was retaliation against an inmate who was perceived as a “snitch” and a cooperator with law enforcement. Betz, along with several others, threatened the assaulted inmate with further attacks should that perceived cooperation continue.This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

Hammond South Bend Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, Indiana - The United States Attorney's Office announced that it filed an
Information on February 13, 2014: Scott Robb, 44, of West Chester, Ohio, is charged in a two count Information with theft of property of the Veterans Administration Medical Center on or about August 19, 2010, and introduction into interstate commerce of stolen medical devices that were misbranded from between on or about August 19, 2010, and November 22, 2011. These charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the Office of Inspector General of the Veterans Administration and the Office of Criminal Investigation U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.
If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

South Bend, Indiana — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

DISPOSITIONS (before District Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr.):

Lawrence Tinsman, 67, of Plymouth, Indiana was sentenced to 84 months imprisonment with 5 years of supervised release and to pay $500 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of distribution of material involving a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.According to documents filed in this case, in April 2013, Tinsman possessed a computer onto which he had downloaded, using a peer-to-peer file sharing program, numerous images and videos that depicted minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Using this same file sharing system, Tinsman made the files available to be downloaded by other individuals seeking child pornography. This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Maciejczyk.

Nora Guardiola, 36, of Sheldon, Illinois was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of knowingly and intentionally distributing cocaine.According to documents filed in this case, Guardiola was involved in delivering seven ounces of cocaine to the Kentland, Indiana area. This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

William Speybroeck, 35, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 33 months imprisonment, 2 years of supervised release, a $3,000 fine and to pay $9,250 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of knowingly possessing and/or disposing of stolen merchandise across state lines.According to documents filed in this case, in April 2013, Speybroeck shipped a piece of drilling equipment from South Bend, Indiana to Nebraska.Speybroek was aware the equipment was stolen.He was paid $9000 via wire transfer. This case was the result of an investigation by the Indiana State Police.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Gary Franklin, 50, of Elkhart, Indiana was sentenced to 96 months imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release and to pay $42,500 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of knowingly and intentionally receiving, possessing, concealing, selling, or disposing of stolen vehicles that had crossed state lines after being stolen.According to documents filed in this case, in September 2012, law enforcement discovered an excavator on property Franklin was renting in Niles, Michigan. The excavator had been stolen from an Indiana job site and moved across state lines. Franklin was in possession of the stolen excavator and had reason to believe the excavator had crossed state lines after being stolen. This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Hammond, Indiana - The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

DISPOSITIONS:

Ronald Holmes, 47, of Griffith, Indiana, was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon to 4 years of probation, a $30,000 fine and 100 hours of community service after pleading guilty to a felony Information charging him with causing the discharge of pollutants into the Hammond Sanitary District’s publicly owned treatment works when he had not been issued a permit by the Hammond Sanitary District to do so.In a separate Information, NH Environmental pleaded guilty to negligently violating a national pretreatment standard under the Clean Water Act, in that the company negligently discharged, trucked or hauled pollutants, including industrial, sanitary, and food industry-related wastes, into a publicly owned treatment works at a location that had not been designated, approved, or otherwise permitted. NH Environmental was sentenced to 4 years of probation, a $75,000 in restitution to the City of Hammond, $25,000 in restitution to the Hammond Sanitary District and a $70,000 fine.According to documents filed in this case, Holmes and East Chicago based NH Environmental Group, Inc. (“Tierra”), a company owned by Holmes, both pleaded guilty to Clean Water Act violations. Holmes told Tierra managers to direct the company’s drivers to dispose of liquid wastes by regularly discharging tanker truckloads down a drain inside a building that was owned and/or controlled by Holmes and located in Hammond, Indiana. This case was a result of an investigation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Toi Houston, Department of Justice Environmental Crimes Section Senior Counsel James A. Morgulec and Special Assistant United States Attorney David Mucha.

South Bend, IN—The United States Attorney's Office announced that a Grand Jury sitting in South Bend, Indiana, returned the following Indictments on March 12, 2014:

Andre Allen Forbes, 31, of South Bend, Indiana, was charged in a seven-count Indictment with one-count of distributing cocaine, four-counts of distributing crack cocaine, one-count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one-count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.Charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the South Bend Police Department – Metro Special Operations Section and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald J. Schmid.

Brian M. Kandefer, 36, of San Diego, California, and K2 Capital Management Inc. located in LaJolla, California were both charged in a fifty-one-count Indictment.Kandefer was charged with twenty-counts of wire fraud, twenty-counts of mail fraud, one-count of conspiracy to commit fraud, and ten-counts of money laundering.K2 Capital Management Inc. was charged with twenty-counts of wire fraud, twenty-counts of mail fraud, and one-count of conspiracy to commit fraud.Charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Office of Inspector General and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald J. Schmid.

Erskine A. Jones, 22, of South Bend, Indiana, was charged in a one-count Indictment with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.Charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the South Bend Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald J. Schmid.

Demarcus Moran, 23, of South Bend, Indiana, was charged in a one-count Indictment with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.Charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the South Bend Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald J. Schmid.

Wanda C. Shorter, 43, of Elkhart, Indiana and Empowerment Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Inc. located in Elkhart, Indiana, were both charged in a four-count Indictment with one-count of healthcare fraud and three-counts of aggravated identity theft.Charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the Indiana Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald J. Schmid.

Otis A. Tate, 25, of South Bend, Indiana, was charged in a two-count Indictment with one-count being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, and one-count possessing a stolen firearm.Charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the South Bend Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald J. Schmid.

Aaron Mendoza, 34, of South Bend, Indiana, was charged in a one count Indictment with illegal alien in possession of a firearm.These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer.

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

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

South Bend, Indiana — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEA (before District Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr.)

Quintin T. Ferguson, 24, of Mishawaka, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of possessing heroin with intent to distribute. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Sentencing has been set for 6/25/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

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

DISPOSITIONS

(before District Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr.)

Quintien Walker, 22, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment with 2 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of making a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm.According to documents filed in this case, in July 213, Walker provided a false written statement in obtaining a firearm. This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

(before District Judge Jon E. DeGuilio)

Alicia Green, 28, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment with 2 years supervised release and ordered to pay $99,501.94 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of defrauding the United States government.According to documents filed in this case, Walker participated with others in a false tax return preparation and filing scheme in South Bend, Indiana. Individuals prepared and submitted Forms 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns, with false or inflated Forms W-2 to obtain false tax refunds. This scheme resulted in the submission of approximately 1,189 false tax refunds for tax years 2008, 2009, and 2010. Beginning in 2009, Walker opened and controlled bank accounts that received tax refunds from some of these false tax returns and she shared in the proceeds generated by these false tax returns. This case was the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Hammond, Indiana - The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEAS:

Darian Brown, 36, of Merrillville, Indiana, pled guilty before District Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to the felony offense of mail fraud.Sentencing has been set for 5/21/14. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randall Stewart.

Roy Dunn, 60, of Winamac, Indiana, a defendant in the case US v Hoosier EMS Inc. et al., pled guilty before District Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to the felony offense of conspiracy to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare in connection with ambulance transportation for Medicare recipients in Northwest Indiana.Sentencing has been set for 5/20/14. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the US Department of Health and Human Services.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Diane Berkowitz and Thomas McGrath.

Jeanetta Brown, 32, of Calumet City, Illinois, pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Paul Cherry to the felony offense of making false statements with respect to information required to be kept in the records of a federally licensed firearms dealer in connection with the purchase of a firearm.Magistrate Cherry is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 10 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean Lanter.

James Gerodemos, 50, of Schererville, Indiana, pled guilty before Chief Judge Philip Simon to the felony offense of engaging in the business of dealing in explosive material without a license.This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas McGrath.

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

Fort Wayne, Indiana —The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

DISPOSITION

(before District Judge Theresa L. Springmann:)

Keana Davis, 33, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced to 151 months imprisonment with 8 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of knowingly distributing 28 grams or more of crack cocaine.According to documents filed in this case, in June 2013, Davis’s residence was searched by law enforcement officers.Approximately 175.9 grams of a white powdered substance along with $3,820 in cash were discovered. Over 28 grams of the white powdered substance tested positive as crack.Among the currency found in the residence were two $100 bills used as part of a controlled buy.Additional items used in the production and distribution of drugs were found at the residence.This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

South Bend, IN—The United States Attorney's Office announced that a Grand Jury sitting in South Bend, Indiana, returned the following Indictments on February 13, 2014:

Patrick J. Condon, Jr., 41, of South Bend, Indiana, was charged in a one-count Indictment with theft of government money; the unlawful receipt of federal unemployment insurance benefits. Charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and the United States Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Z. Brook.

Tiffany J. Miller, 28, of Cromwell, Indiana, was charged in a one-count Indictment with theft of government money; the unlawful receipt of federal unemployment insurance benefits.Charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and the United States Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Z. Brook.

John O. Williams, 43, of Osceola, Indiana, was charged in a one-count Indictment with theft of government money; the unlawful receipt of federal unemployment insurance benefits.Charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and the United States Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Z. Brook.

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

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

South Bend, Indiana — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEA (before Magistrate Judge Christopher A. Nuechterlein)

Javier Gomez-Sanchez, 31, of South Bend, Indiana, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of knowingly or intentionally distributing a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency.Sentencing has been set for 6/5/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

DISPOSITIONS( before District Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr.)

Carmen Leon, 44, of Edinburg, Texas was sentenced to 240 months imprisonment with 5 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offenses of conspiracy to distribute narcotics and conspiracy to commit money laundering.According to documents filed in this case, beginning in approximately 2000 and continuing into early 2010, Leon knowingly agreed with others to possess and distribute various illegal drugs throughout the country including Indiana, Texas, Wisconsin, Michigan and North Carolina. The illegal drugs distributed included cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine.Leon distributed these drugs using several other persons who would drive the drugs to specific locations and at times pick up proceeds from the sale of drugs and return them to Leon in Texas. From about 2003 to 2006, Leon supplied cocaine in Milwaukee on a regular basis for distribution.In February of 2009, the Border Patrol at Falfurrias, Texas seized approximately 26 kilograms of cocaine Leon had intended to distribute.During the same time period Leon utilized the buying and selling of nationwide auctioned automobiles to conceal her drug profits.Leon started a business known as CL Auto Sales that operated primarily in Texas for the purpose of concealment of her drug profits. This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Grimmer.

Maria San Juana Fernandez, 41, of Edinburg, Texas was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment with 2 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of structuring transactions to evade reporting requirements and penalty.According to documents filed in this case, in May 2007, Fernandez opened CL Auto Sales which was in actuality a business used for money laundering from illegal narcotics activities.Fernandez structured bank deposits in small enough volumes to avoid banking and federal scrutiny.This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Grimmer.

Cesar Leon, 23, of Edinburg, Texas was sentenced to a total of 70 months imprisonment for with 2 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offenses of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and structuring money transactions to evade reporting requirements.According to documents filed in this case, during the fall of2008, Leon conspired with several persons to distribute marijuana in various states (including Texas, North Carolina, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana) throughout the United States. Marijuana brought into Texas would be shipped by various means, including by vehicles, to these locations where the drugs were unloaded and distributed to others.Proceeds from these transactions were used at times to purchase vehicles. Leon was provided the funds those purchases and made cash payments under $10,000 in order to avoid the car dealers’ responsibility to report cash transactions over $10,000.This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Grimmer.

Abdul Amin Shabazz, 39, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment with 2 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of felon in possession of a firearm.According to documents filed in this case, Shabazz possessed a .32 caliber pistol which he attempted to discard along with a bag of marijuana while he ran from police officers.Shabazz has prior convictions including robbery, carrying a handgun without a license, possession of cocaine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ken Hays.

Jose Patlan, 38, of Longansport, Indiana was sentenced to 151 months imprisonment with 4 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of knowingly and intentionally conspiring to deliver a mixture or substance that contained over five hundred (500) grams of cocaine and/or over 100 kilograms of marijuana.According to documents filed in this case, b etween May 2012, and July 2012, Patlan was involved with distributing marijuana in the Logansport, Indiana area.Law enforcement raided Patlan’s residence on July 16, 2012, and discovered marijuana and $1,500 from drug transactions. This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

DISPOSTIONS (before District Judge Jon E. De Guilio)

Darius Witherspoon, 21, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 154 months, 3 years supervised release and to pay $66,965 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of bank robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.According to documents filed in this case, on July 10, 2013, Witherspoon with accomplices stole approximately $13,165 from a bank in Edwardsburg, Michigan. On August 7, 2013, Witherspoon with accomplices also stole approximately $53,800 belonging from a bank in Bristol, Indiana.Witherspoon brandished a firearm in both robberies. This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

Horacio Hernandez, 51, of Goshen, Indiana was sentenced to 46 months imprisonment with 3 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of reentry as a deported alien.According to documents filed in this case, in May 2011, Hernandez was deported as an aggravated felon through the Laredo, Texas port of entry. After his deportation, Hernandez illegally re-entered the country and was later arrested.This case was the result of an investigation by the United States Marshals Service.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Maciejczyk

Hammond, Indiana - The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEAS:

Anthony Bitterling, 40, of Winimac, Indiana, a defendant in the case US v Hoosier EMS Inc. et al., pled guilty before District Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to the felony offense of conspiring with other individuals to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare in connection with ambulance transportation.Sentencing has been set for 5/8/14.This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Medicare Fraud Control Unit, and the US Department of Health and Human Services.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Diane Berkowitz and Thomas McGrath.

Karen Stone, 57, of Hammond, Indiana, pled guilty before District Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to the felony offense of embezzlement of Union Funds.Sentencing has been set for 5/14/14.This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Department of Labor-Office of Management Standards.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Toi Houston.

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

DISPOSITIONS:

Jose Reyes-Zuniga, 32, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior District Judge James Moody to 6 months imprisonment and, if not deported, 1 year of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of fraudulent use of a Social Security number.According to documents filed in this case, Reyes-Zuniga used a social security number that did not belong to him for purposes of gaining employment. He admitted to purchasing identification and a social security number from a person in Chicago.Reyes-Zuniga entered the United States illegally from Mexico. This case was a result of an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the East Chicago Police Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Gary Bell and Philip Benson.

Christian Austin, 27, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was sentenced by Senior District Judge James Moody to 51 months imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession with the intent to distribute heroin.According to documents filed in this case, Austin was transporting heroin to Chicago on behalf of an acquaintance when he was pulled over for a traffic violation. Approximately 2.1 kilograms of heroin was found in the vehicle. This case was a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jacqueline Jacobs.

Virlissa Crenshaw, 43, of East Chicago, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior District Judge James Moody to 30 months imprisonment, $176,763.07 in restitution to the town of Merrillville and 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offenses of theft from a local government entity receiving federal funds and making false statements on a tax return.According to documents filed in this case, during Ms. Crenshaw’s tenure of collecting bond money for the Merrillville Town Court, in excess of 400 criminal cases were not docketed in the court system because the bond money was stolen and no criminal case was ever docketed. Ms. Crenshaw essentially engaged in a Ponzi scheme by shuffling bond money from one case to another in attempts to conceal her theft, allowing her to steal even more money. This case was a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service and the Indiana State Police.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Philip Benson.

Terrance Winton, 49, of Merrillville, Indiana, was sentenced by District Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to 37 months imprisonment, a $10,000.00 fine and 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine.According to documents filed in this case, pursuant to information from a confidential source, a federal search warrant was executed at Winton’s residence in March 2013. Agents seized approximately one ounce of crack cocaine (13 grams were uncut and the rest was packaged for sale) from the kitchen. In Winton’s bedroom, agents seized four pistols. Additionally, there were seven long guns in a gun cabinet including a stolen AK-47 and a stolen Springfield rifle. This case was a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation GRIT Task Force.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Mark Alan Smith, 44, of Valparaiso, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior District Judge James Moody to 108 months imprisonment and 15 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of receipt of child pornography.According to documents filed in this case, over the course of at least 1 ½ years, Smith received over 400,000 images and over 1,500 videos depicting minor children being sexually exploited and abused. This case resulted from an investigation by members of the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, including the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jill Koster.

Booker Rogers, 47, of West Lafayette, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior District Judge James Moody to 105 months imprisonment and 20 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of failure to register as a sex offender.According to documents filed in this case, Rogers was convicted of sexual abuse of a 14 year old female in 1999, a four year old child in 2007, and failure to register as a sex offender in 2010 and 2011.This case resulted from an investigation by members of the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, including the United States Marshal’s Service.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jill Koster.

Adam Buckler, 29, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior District Judge James Moody to 225 months imprisonment and 20 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of distribution of child pornography.According to documents filed in this case, Buckler was found to possess over 24,000 images and 600 videos depicting minor children as young as toddlers being forced to engage in sexually explicit conduct. This case resulted from an investigation by members of the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Kokomo Police Department and the Indiana State Police.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jill Koster.

Octavio Casas-Garcia, 45, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior District Judge James Moody to 5 months imprisonment and, if not deported, 1 year of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of illegal re-entry after having been convicted of a felony.Casas-Garcia has a prior conviction for possession of marijuana in Texas.This case was a result of an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Philip Benson.

Antoine McClain, 31, of East Chicago, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior District Judge James Moody to 21 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.According to documents filed in this case, McClain has prior felony convictions for possession of cocaine and attempted larceny in a building, as well as 11 other misdemeanors. This case was a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives HIDTA Task Force and the East Chicago Police Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Padilla.

Tyrone Benson, 38, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior District Judge James Moody to 27 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.Benson has a prior felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance in San Diego, California. This case was a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration HIDTA Task Force.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

Javante Toran, 21, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior District Judge James Moody to 6 months imprisonment and 2 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.Toran has a prior felony conviction for theft in Lake County,Indiana.This case was a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

Kenneth Sandidge, 54, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior District Judge Rudy Lozano to 92 months imprisonment and 2 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.Sandidge has a prior felony conviction for pointing a firearm in Lake County, Indiana. This case was a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lake County Police Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Padilla.

Carl Powers, 54, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon to 33 months imprisonment and 2 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offenses of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud.According to documents filed in this case, Powers defrauded two lenders by inducing them to provide mortgage loans to the buyers through the use of materially false representations, and in so doing, to fraudulently obtain a portion of those funds.Powers also defrauded the buyers by inducing them to purchase properties and seek mortgage loans through the use of materially false representations, and in doing so, to fraudulently obtain a portion of those funds. This case was a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jill Koster.

Jerome Robinson, 24, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by District Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to 36 months of probation after pleading guilty to the felony offense of distribution of heroin.This case was a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation GRIT Task Force.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean Lanter.

Chester Washington, 43, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior District Judge Rudy Lozano to3 years of probation with 8 months of home detention after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.According to documents filed in this case, Washington has prior felony convictions for possession of cocaine and battery in 1995. This case was a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives HIDTA Task Force and the Lake County Police Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Fort Wayne, Indiana —The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEA (before Magistrate Judge Roger B. Cosbey)

Pedro Salud Rubio-Garcia, 43, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offenses of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, aiding and abetting, distribution of methamphetamine, and selling a firearm to a convicted felon. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller-Lowery.

DISPOSITIONS (before District Judge Theresa L. Springmann:)

Derek Davenport, 28, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced to a total of 90 months imprisonment with 2 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offenses of possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense and being a felon in possession of a firearm.His thirty (30) month concurrent sentence on his drugs convictions will be followed by a consecutive sixty (60) month term of imprisonment a firearm conviction. According to documents filed in this case, in 2010 and 2011, Davenport on several occasions possessed drugs (marijuana) with the intent to distribute them.Davenport carried a firearm during the transactions and while a felon possessed additional firearms. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

Rickey James, 31, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced to 46 months imprisonment with 2 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm.According to documents filed in this case, James owned a sniper suit, .22 caliber ammunition and hand grenades. James was previously convicted for possession of a handgun without a license.This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller-Lowery.

South Bend, IN—The United States Attorney's Office announced that a Grand Jury sitting in South Bend, Indiana, returned the following Indictments on February 13, 2014:

Frederick Dotson, 39, of Mishawaka, Indiana, was charged in a three count Indictment with one count of distribution of a controlled substance, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of felon in possession of firearms.These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer.

Luis Trevino, 34, of South Bend, Indiana, and Javier Trevino, 32, of South Bend, Indiana, were charged in a three count Indictment with one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, one count of felon in possession of firearm(s), and one count of possession with intent to distribute Marijuana.These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer.

Eshar Burks, 26, of South Bend, Indiana, was charged in a two count Indictment with one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer.

Timothy B. Heckaman, 51, of Bremen, Indiana, was charged in a one-count Indictment with theft of government money; the unlawful receipt of federal unemployment insurance benefits.Charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and the United States Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Z. Brook.

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

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

Hammond South Bend Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, Indiana - The United States Attorney's Office announced that a Grand Jury sitting in Fort Wayne, Indiana, returned the following Indictments on February 26, 2014: Bruce T. King, 35, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, is charged in a single count Indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about January 24, 2014. The Indictment also alleges forfeiture of a firearm, magazine and ammunition. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Wayne Police Department. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.
Guadalupe Quintanilla, 69, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, is charged in a single count Indictment with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine on or about February 1, 2014. The Indictment also alleges forfeiture of property derived from the proceeds. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Indiana State Police. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.
Ronnie Lee Rutherford, Jr., 37, and Laura A. Plumb, 35, both of Fort Wayne, Indiana, are charged in a four count Indictment (respectively) with maintaining a drug involved premises from on or about December 4, 2013, to on or about February 17, 2014 (both defendants), possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about February 17, 2014 (Rutherford), with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about December 30, 2013, and February 17, 2014 (Rutherford). The Indictment also alleges forfeiture of property derived from the proceeds and firearms and ammunition. These charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Wayne Police Department. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.
Floyd D. Thomas, Jr., 35, Dwaine Bartlett, 41, Prentice A. Bland, 38, Richard A. Council, 42, Richard E. Murray, 40, and Derrick L. Thomas, 39, all of Indianapolis, Indiana are charged in a six count Indictment (respectively) with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine from on or about November 13, 2013, through on or about February 12, 2014 (all defendants), possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about February 12, 2014 (all defendants), distribution of heroin on or about November 16, 2013, November 20, 2013, December 19, 2013 and January 17, 2013 (Floyd Thomas only). The Indictment also alleges forfeiture of property derived from the proceeds and firearms and ammunition. These charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Warsaw Police Department, Fort Wayne Police Department, and the IMAGE Drug Task Force. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.
The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Hammond South Bend Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, Indiana - The United States Attorney's Office announced that a Grand Jury sitting in Fort Wayne, Indiana, returned the following Indictment on January 22, 2014: Travon D. Russell, 22, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, is charged in a two count Indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about December 23, 2013, and maintaining a drug involved premise on or about December 12, 2013. The Indictment also alleges forfeiture of firearms, ammunition and a digital scale. These charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Wayne Police Department. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.
The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

South Bend, Indiana — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEAS (before Magistrate Judge Christopher A. Nuechterlein)

Michael Hillebrand III, 30, of Mishawaka, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of theft of government property. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Department of Labor.Sentencing has been set for 5/22/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Brook.

Joseph Golden, 27, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of attempting to enter a bank to commit larceny. The magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.Sentencing has been set for 5/22/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

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

DISPOSITIONS (before District Judge Robert L Miller, Jr.)

Rick Franklin, 55, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 71 months imprisonment with 3 years supervised release and to pay $40,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of knowingly and intentionally possessing a vehicle which had altered or removed VIN numbers with the intent to dispose of the vehicle.According to documents filed in this case, in February 2013, law enforcement stopped a trailer hauling a Bobcat Skid Steer loader on US 31. The Bobcart Skid Steer loader had been “re-vinned” (the proper VIN number removed and a different one substituted) and Franklin was involved with the re-vinning. This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Christopher Wilhite, 33, of Monon, Indiana was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment with 5 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of child pornography plus forfeiture allegation.According to documents filed in this case, from October 2011 to May, 2012, Wilhite possessed a laptop computer onto which he had downloaded numerous images and videos that depicted minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Wilhite subsequently transferred those computer files to an external hard drive. In October 2012, the laptop and external hard drive were seized at Wilhite’s residence by law enforcement. This case resulted from an investigation by members of the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, including the Department of Homeland Security, state and local task force.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Maciejczyk.

Michael Spurgeon, 47, of Elkhart, Indiana was sentenced to 2 years probation after pleading guilty to the felony offense of knowingly manufacturing marijuana.According to documents filed in this case, in February 2013, DEA entered a garage in Elkhart, Indiana. Law enforcement discovered marijuana plants, grow materials, and grow lights in the building. The marijuana growing equipment and items were the property of Spurgeon. This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Raymond Belsan, 33, of Syracuse, Indiana was to 120 months imprisonment with 7 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of distribution of child pornography.According to documents filed in this case, in September 2012, Belsan possessed a custom built desktop computer onto which he had downloaded numerous images and videos that depicted minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Belsan also utilized file sharing programs which he used to download these images from others via the internet. Belsan also enabled file sharing for others to access some of the child pornography on his machine.This case resulted from an investigation by members of the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Maciejczyk.

(before District Judge Jon E. DeGuilio.)

Dontrell Smith, 24, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 40 months with 3 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.According to documents filed in this case, in August 2013, Smith possessed a PT111 Pro Millennium, Caliber: 9mm handgun loaded with ammunition.Previously, Smith had been convicted of possession of cocaine. This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

Hammond, Indiana - The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEAS:

Mario Stokes, 41, of Gary, Indiana, pled guilty before Senior District Judge Rudy Lozano to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.Sentencing has been set for 5/23/14.This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation GRIT Task Force.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Jose Arriaga, 44, of Merrillville, Indiana, pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Paul Cherry to the felony offense of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. Magistrate Cherry is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 10 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean Lanter.

Joiey Jones, 36, of East Chicago, Indiana, pled guilty before Chief Judge Philip Simon to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the East Chicago Police Department.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas McGrath.

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

DISPOSITIONS:

Tonja Muldrow, 33, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon to 24 months of probation after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.According to documents filed in this case, Muldrow illegally possessed one firearm and traded it in to a firearms store in exchange for another firearm. Muldrow has a prior conviction for the felony offense of financial identity theft. This case was a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Michigan City Police Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean Lanter.

Kevin Wilkerson, 39, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by District Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to 108 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of the bank robbery of Peoples Bank in Gary.This case was a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Gary Police Department.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane Berkowitz.

Mark Bozovich, 32, of Lake Village, Indiana, a defendant in the case US v Humphrey et al., was sentenced by Senior District Judge Rudy Lozano to 235 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release after being found guilty at trial of the felony offense of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute heroin.According to documents filed in this case, Bozovich, along with others, would drive to Illinois to get heroin from Cortez Humphrey and would then redistribute it upon returning to Indiana.This case was a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jacqueline Jacobs and Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Lamar Johnson, 26, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon to 132 months imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of transporting a minor in interstate commerce with the intent that she engage in prostitution.This case was a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jill Koster.

Brealon Miller, Jr., 25, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon to 280 months of imprisonment with 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of the December 2012 armed bank robbery of BMO Harris Bank in Hammond, and discharging and carrying a firearm in furtherance of an aggravated bank robbery.  According to documents filed in this case, Miller shot a Hammond police officer three times in his leg as he was leaving the bank after the robbery. David Lee Hardin, his co-defendant, was sentenced to 355 months imprisonment in September 2013. This case was a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation GRIT Task Force and the Hammond Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

Fort Wayne, Indiana —The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEA (before Magistrate Judge Roger B. Cosbey:)

Michael Bure, 27, of Fort Wayne, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of bank robbery. The Magistrate is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by a joint task force of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, state and local law enforcement.Sentencing has not been set.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller-Lowery.

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

DISPOSITIONS (before District Judge Theresa L. Springmann:)

Jerome Burney, 40, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release and to pay $461,254.72 restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of wire fraud.According to documents filed in this case, Burney faxed fraudulent military deployment orders to companies that were employing him at the time. The fraudulent military paperwork was used to take advantage of the military pay differential policy.The policy provides employees who are members of any branch of the United States military, or who are called up to active duty in the uniformed services as a result of an active military conflict or mission to be paid the difference between their military pay and their base rate of pay at that particular company.Because these fraudulent payments to Burney were electronically deposited into his personal bank account or made by check was sent via United States mail, his actions violated federal law.This case was the result of an investigation by the Department of Defense-Office of the Inspector General.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller-Lowery.

Curtis Wittwer, 66, of Spencerville, Indiana was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment (with the remainder as of the day of sentencing’s date to be served in a residential re-entry facility), with 2 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of maintaining a drug-involved premises.According to documents filed in this case, a confidential informant notified law enforcement of Curtis Wittwer’s selling and growing of marijuana at his residence.After additional investigations, Wittwer’s residence was searched.During the search, sixteen guns, marijuana smoking devices, rolling papers, marijuana residue, and a bag with marijuana seeds were discovered.In addition, $88,600 in cash was obtained during the search.This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

Jamison Gudorf, 41, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment with 2 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm.According to documents filed in this case, in 2011 and 2012, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force was investigating marijuana trafficking activity and became interested in Jamison Gudorf’s activities which involved illegal drug sales.In December 2012, officers served a federal search warrant of Gudorf’s residence.During the search, officers found a large number of firearms, including several weapons that were suspected of being fully automatic.Marijuana was also discovered during the search.In 1996, Gudorf was convicted of criminal confinement and residential entry.He was also convicted in 2007 for OWI and intimidation.This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

Nicole Andrews, 36, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced to two years probation, and to pay restitution in the amount of $16,405.39, joint and several with co-defendants, after pleading guilty to the felony offense of being an accessory after the fact to a bank robbery.According to documents filed in this case, in April 2013, a local credit union was robbed by two assailants.Local law enforcement investigations determined that Andrews was involved in the robbery’s planning and execution.Andrews also attempted to misdirect law enforcement during questioning.This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

Lizbeth Correa, 35 of Wawaka, Indiana was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to the felony offense of knowingly making a drug-involved premise available for use.According to documents filed in this case, in March 2013, Correa worked with others to conceal methamphetamine by hiding it inside a fake cake.Correa was employed at a restaurant that she helped use to facilitate illegal drug sales. This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Mary Hatton

www.usdoj.gov/usao/inn/ CELL: (219) 314-9993

mary.hatton@usdoj.gov

Hammond, Indiana- The United States Attorney’s Office announced that the following Indictments were returned on February 19, 2014:

Montrell Jolly, 24, of Gary, Indiana, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.This charge was filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Gary Police Department.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas McGrath.

Piljo Piljagic, 30, of Chicago, Illinois, was charged with being an illegal alien and aiding

non-citizens of the United States to fraudulently marry United States citizens for the purpose of evading provisions of the immigration laws which prohibit procuring naturalization of non-citizens through fraud. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randall Stewart.

Michael Nash, 39, of Lake Station, Indiana, was charged in a superseding indictment with one count of conspiracy to defraud the government by submitting false claims for income tax refunds, four counts of submitting false claims for income tax refunds and three counts of aggravated identity theft.These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Kolar.

Michael Radovick, 29, of Gary, Indiana, was charged in a superseding indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm, being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm, two counts of distribution of cocaine and committing these crimes while on pretrial release.These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hammond Police Department.This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas McGrath.

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

South Bend, Indiana — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEAS (before Magistrate Judge Christopher A. Nuechterlein):

Felix Gonzalez-Cedillo, 47, of Granger, Indiana, pled guilty to the felony offense of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Magistrate Nuechterlein is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service.Sentencing has been set for 5/16/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Brian Cruz, 37, of Elkhart, Indiana, pled guilty to the felony offense of failure to register as required under the sex offender registration and notification act. Magistrate Christopher A. Nuechterlein is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by United States Marshal Service.Sentencing has been set for 5/16/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Maciejczyk.

(pled before District Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr.)

Robert Alexander Loft, 45, of Mishawaka, Indiana, pled guilty to the felony offense of distributing methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Sentencing has been set for 5/20/2014.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

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

DISPOSITIONS:

Richard Maxson, 50, of Elkhart, Indiana was sentenced by District Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. to 21 months imprisonment, 2 years supervised release and to pay $30,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of knowingly and intentionally possessing a vehicle which had an altered or removed VIN number with the intent to dispose of the vehicle.According to documents filed in this case, in February 2013, law enforcement stopped a truck Maxson was driving while hauling a Case skid-steer loader. Maxson had rented the skid-steer loader the day before and was aware the VIN number had been altered or removed. Maxson admitted to being in possession of the skid-steer loader and his intent to dispose of it.This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Jacalyn Selman, 54, of Kouts, Indiana was sentenced by District Judge Jon E. DeGuilio to 2 years supervised probation and to pay $502.00 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of embezzling mail.According to documents filed in this case, in December 2012 through July 2013, Selman, a Postal Service employee, embezzled mail which came into her possession. This case was the result of an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jesse Barrett.

Hammond, Indiana - The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEAS:

Andrew Bolden, 30,pled guilty before Chief Judge Philip Simon to the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.Sentencing has been set for 5/13/14.This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

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

DISPOSITIONS:

Robert Sanders, 25, of Gary, Indiana, a defendant in the case US v Harris et al., was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon to 15 months imprisonment, $6,636.00 in restitution to be paid joint and several with Willie Harris, and 2 years of supervised release after being found guilty at trial of the felony offense of conspiracy and attempt to commit fraud with identification documents.According to documents filed in this case, the defendants obtained the account and personal information of individuals in over 21 states and fraudulently added their names to the victims’ accounts in an account takeover scheme. The defendants either utilized their own names or utilized aliases with the accounts which had been taken over. They purchased gift cards, Postal money orders, and made numerous retail purchases with the fraudulently obtained credit cards throughout Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Georgia. They also made cash withdrawals on the accounts and utilized the convenience checks associated with the accounts at various financial institutions located in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Georgia. Throughout the criminal conduct, the defendants would also mail gift cards, Postal money orders, and U.S. currency from Indiana and Wisconsin to Georgia. This case was a result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Toi Houston.

Joshua Mijares, 34, of Griffith, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior District Judge Rudy Lozano to 7 months and 18 days imprisonment, time considered served, and 1 year of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of re-entry of a deported alien.According to documents filed in this case, law enforcement, responding to information from a tip line that Mijares was an illegal alien, received fingerprint records and other material confirming that Mijares had indeed been deported in 2005.According to criminal history records, Mijares, also known as Jose Lucas, was convicted of aggravated child abuse in Florida in 2002. This case was a result of an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randall Stewart.