Southern District of Indiana

EVANSVILLE- Austin R. Pam, 28, of Evansville, Indiana has been sentenced to an additional 33 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to escape from custody.

According to court documents, on January 4, 2019, Pam was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment for illegally possessing a firearm and a consecutive 21 months’ imprisonment for violating the terms of his supervised release in a different case.

On September 23, 2021, Pam was transferred to the Volunteers of America (“VOA”) in Evansville, Indiana, to complete his sentence. The Bureau of Prisons contracts with residential reentry centers, also known as halfway houses, to aid inmates who are nearing release. Inmates serving a portion of their sentence at a residential reentry center are only authorized to leave through sign-out procedures for approved activities.

Pam was to remain in and abide by the rules of the facility until his projected release date of March 21, 2022. On November 27, 2021, VOA staff noticed that Pam had not returned from his place of employment. Staff unsuccessfully attempted to contact Pam and reached out to his shift supervisor, who stated Pam never showed up for his shift. Pam was arrested in Evansville in an unrelated case on May 25, 2022. 

Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, and Dan McClain, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Indiana, made the announcement.

U.S. Marshals Service investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Richard L. Young.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Matthew B. Miller, who prosecuted this case.

INDIANAPOLIS- Brothers Jacob Tomlin, 28, and Ryan White, 21, of Indianapolis, have both been convicted of federal felony offenses for their scheme to illegally sell straw-purchased firearms. Tomlin was sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty to two counts of making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer. White was sentenced in January of 2023 to 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to dealing firearms without a license.

According to court documents, during the summer of 2021, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the source of firearms that were located at crime scenes in Indianapolis and Chicago. These gun traces investigations multiple crime guns purchased by Tomlin from federally licensed firearms dealers in Indiana.

The ATF’s investigation revealed that from May 19 through June 8, 2021, Tomlin lied on federal firearms purchase documents to illegally purchase 15 handguns for White, his brother. White was too young to legally buy the guns from a federally licensed dealer. This form of gun trafficking is frequently referred to as “straw purchasing,” when a person who is allowed to legally purchase a gun from a federally licensed dealer falsely states that they are purchasing a firearm for themselves, when they know that the gun is actually intended for someone else—frequently someone who is legally prohibited from making the purchase.

ATF agents interviewed Tomlin and White, who admitted that Tomlin lied on the federal forms to illegally purchase the guns for White. White then illegally resold some of the guns for a profit.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division made the announcement.

“This investigation demonstrates exactly how straw-purchases of firearms help to fuel gun violence in Indianapolis, Chicago, and elsewhere,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Gun traffickers help arm criminals who should never have had access to deadly weapons in the first place, increasing the bloodshed on our streets. Our office is committed to working closely with the ATF to address the sources of crime gun to reduce gun violence—and to hold gun traffickers accountable in federal court.”

ATF investigated this case. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James R. Sweeney. Judge Sweeney also ordered that White be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 2 years following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Abhi Kambli and Samantha Spiro, who prosecuted this case.

This case was part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Chicago Gun Trafficking Strike Force. On July 22, 2021, the Department of Justice launched five cross-jurisdictional strike forces to help reduce gun violence by disrupting illegal firearms trafficking in key regions across the country. These gun trafficking strike forces are designed to ensure coordination across jurisdictions and help stem the supply of illegally trafficked firearms from source cities, through other communities, and into five key market regions: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area/Sacramento Region and Washington, D.C.

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INDIANAPOLIS- Michael Parham, 31, of Indianapolis, Indiana has been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

According to court documents, on August 26, 2021, at approximately 9:36 a.m., Carmel Police Department (CPD) officers were alerted to a man slumped over the steering wheel of his vehicle at the I-465 Westbound exit to US-31 South.

When CPD officers arrived, they saw two men passed out in the driver and front passenger seats of a white Buick Regal. The driver was identified as Michael Parham. The Buick was running and in drive, with Parham’s foot on the brake. The windows of the Buick were all rolled down and the doors were locked. An officer reached into the Buick and put the vehicle in park. The officer then began shaking and yelling at Parham to wake him from his unconscious state.

Parham did not verbally respond to any questions about his medical status or whether he was under the influence of any narcotics. Officers removed the keys from the Buick and placed Parham under arrest. During the search of the vehicle, officers located a loaded 9-millimeter Glock semi-automatic pistol on the front driver floorboard in plain view. The Glock pistol was loaded and equipped with a machinegun conversion device.

Machinegun conversion devices, sometimes called “Glock switches” or “auto-sears,” are devices that convert ordinary semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic machineguns. Machinegun conversion devices are themselves considered machineguns under federal law, even when not installed, and are illegal to possess or sell without a special license.

Parham is prohibited from possessing any firearm due to his previous federal felony conviction for robbery. At the time of this arrest, Parham was still on supervised release after being released from federal prison for the robbery.

United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division, and Jim Barlow, Chief of the Carmel Police Department, made the announcement.

“Violent criminals who continue to illegally arm themselves pose a tremendous danger to our communities—especially when their handguns are illegally converted into machineguns” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “This defendant demonstrated that he learned little from his prior sentence. He will now return to federal prison, ensuring that the public will again be protected from any of his further crimes while he is incarcerated. Our office will continue to work with our partners at ATF and the Carmel Police Department to disarm dangerous offenders and get them off our streets.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and Carmel Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson. Judge Stinson also ordered that Parham be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Peter A. Blackett, who prosecuted this case.

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

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EVANSVILLE- James H. Cox, 45, of Kentucky, has been sentenced to 3.5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of wire fraud, one count of filing a false federal income tax return, and two counts of failure to file a federal income tax return.

According to court documents, Cox worked as the Parts Manager for a multi-state business from March 2015 to November 2020. During that time, Cox was responsible for ordering parts, signing for them when they arrived, and logging them into inventory.

From 2018 to 2020, Cox used his position to fraudulently order parts and products that the business did not need using funds belonging to the business. Cox then stole the products, including HVAC units and LED display kits, from the business and sold them on eBay without authorization. He received payment via PayPal and used the proceeds from the sales for his own personal benefit. Cox also failed to disclose to potential buyers that the listed products were stolen, which violates eBay’s User Agreement.

In total, Cox sold approximately 400 stolen items on eBay, resulting in a total loss of $431,557.61 to his employer.

Additionally, Cox did not report the income from these sales on his 2018 tax return and failed to file returns for 2019 and 2020. The total tax loss to the U.S. government amounted to $106,690.00.

“Criminals who abuse positions of trust to lie and steal must be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “Our office is committed to working with the IRS, FBI, and the U.S. Secret Service to identify individuals engaged in fraudulent schemes and ensure they are held accountable for their actions. The sentence imposed here demonstrates that fraud and tax crimes are serious violations that can result in significant terms in federal prison.”

“IRS-Criminal Investigation enforces the nation’s tax laws to ensure everyone pays their fair share,” said Justin Campbell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office.  “This case highlights that even stolen income is taxable. We would like to express our gratitude to the United States Attorney’s office for their support in the prosecution of this case.”

“Today’s sentencing is a reminder that financial crimes are not victimless crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey R. Adams, U. S. Secret Service – Indianapolis Field Office. “The defendant victimized his employer for his own personal gain. The Secret Service will continue to investigate and pursue prosecution of those who engage in financial fraud.”

“Companies should be able to trust their employees not to abuse their position and steal from them for their own self-enrichment,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “This sentence should serve as a reminder that illegal practices will not be tolerated and the FBI and our partners will continue to aggressively pursue those who exploit others out of sheer greed and selfishness.”

The Internal Revenue Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Secret Service investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Richard L. Young. Judge Young also ordered that Cox be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison and pay $82,482.11 to the employer, $349,075.50 to the employer’s insurance company, and $106,690 to the IRS.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Matthew B. Miller, who prosecuted this case.

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EVANSVILLE- Ricky Adams, 33, of Evansville, Indiana, has been sentenced to 5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distribution of child sexual abuse material.

According to court documents, on September 17, 2021, investigators with the FBI and the Evansville Police Department (EPD) received a tip from a social network dating application called Skout. Skout can be used for messaging and online chatting by its members.  

In the chat session reported to the FBI and EPD by Skout, chat participants discussed the sexual abuse of children. A months-long investigation ultimately identified Adams as a participant in the reported online chat session. Adams made claims to another chat participant that he was playing truth or dare with “his children,” ages 13, 12, 9 and 6. In the chats, Adams claimed to be sexually active with the purported children. Adams did not actually have control of, or access to, any children at the time. Adams sent at least two images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct during the chat session. 

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office, and Chief Billy Bolin of the Evansville Police Department made the announcement.

“This defendant joined others online to share heinous images depicting the sexual abuse of children,” said United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers “Those who are gratified by the sexual exploitation of the most vulnerable of victims are a tremendous danger to our communities. We will continue to work tirelessly with our partners at the FBI and Evansville Police Department to identify these criminals and send them to prison, where our children are out of their reach.”

The FBI investigated this case with valuable assistance from the Evansville Police Department. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Richard L. Young. Judge Young also ordered that Adams be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case.

This investigation was conducted by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies led by the Indiana State Police. The Task Force is dedicated to investigating and prosecuting crimes involving the technology-facilitated sexual exploitation of children and the trafficking of child sexual abuse material. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators evaluate thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse.

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

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INDIANAPOLIS- William Johnson, 21, of Indianapolis, Indiana has been sentenced to 105 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents, in September 2022, investigators with the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force (ICGTF) learned that Johnson was selling firearms and drugs out of his Indianapolis home after observing a photo of Johnson holding multiple firearms posted to Instagram. At the time the photo was posted, Johnson was on home detention under the supervision of Marion County Community Corrections in connection with a felony conviction for carrying a handgun without a license.

Investigators viewed Johnson’s Instagram stories, which showed him attempting to sell multiple firearms over the app. On September 15, 2022, Johnson posted a video showing a black and silver semiautomatic handgun with the caption, “Come get this one for $300 though.” The video also showed an AR-style rifle and multiple other handguns. Johnson stated that the rifle cost “a G,” meaning $1000. Johnson posted additional firearms on his Instagram account, including a black handgun with a high-capacity drum magazine attached, and a black and white striped rifle.

In addition to the sale of firearms, Johnson used his account to advertise and sell marijuana and fentanyl in the form of counterfeit oxycodone pills.

On September 20, 2022, ICGTF executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence. During the search, they located a Ruger 9mm handgun, a plastic bag containing over 100 blue fentanyl pills marked “M30,” a Glock gun box containing magazines, a Glock 10 round magazine, $2,020 in cash, a plastic bag containing 83 grams of fentanyl, two plastic bags containing 28 grams of para-fluorofentanyl, and 112 grams of marijuana in Johnson’s bedroom. In the garage, investigators found a Glock model 45 9mm handgun belonging to Johnson. This firearm had previously been reported stolen and had a high-capacity magazine attached.

Johnson is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his previous felony convictions. Johnson has four prior felony convictions, each involving the unlawful possession of firearms.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division made the announcement.

“The days of drug deals solely occurring on street corners are long gone. Today, fentanyl traffickers like this defendant can use social media to push illegal guns and poison into our community,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers. “Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Hoosiers aged 18-45, and gun violence is the leading killer of American children and teens. The federal prison sentence imposed today should send a stark warning to anyone who believes that social media is a safe space to commit crimes: we are watching, we will find you, and we will hold you accountable.”

ATF and the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James P. Hanlon. Judge Hanlon also ordered that Johnson be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 4 years following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Kelsey L. Massa, who prosecuted this case.

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

This case was brought as part of the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force (ICGTF). ICGTF is a partnership of law enforcement officers and analysts from several central Indiana law enforcement agencies in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan, Johnson, and Shelby counties. In cooperation with state, local, and federal partners, ICGTF collaborates to address violent crime through a comprehensive strategy including innovative approaches to locating suspects and evidence related to violent crimes and illegal possession of firearms.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, depending on a person’s body size, tolerance, and past usage. One kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people. 6 out of 10 illegal fentanyl tablets sold on U.S. streets now contain a potentially lethal dose of the drug.

One Pill Can Kill: Avoid pills bought on the street because One Pill Can Kill. Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that drug dealers dilute with cutting agents to make counterfeit prescription pills that appear to be Oxycodone, Percocet, Xanax, and other drugs.  Fentanyl is used because it’s cheap.  Small variations in the quantity or quality of fentanyl in a fake prescription pill can accidentally create a lethal dosage.  Fentanyl has now become the leading cause of drug poisoning deaths in the United States.  Fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl are usually shaped and colored to look like pills sold at pharmacies, like Percocet and Xanax.  For example, fake prescription pills known as “M30s” imitate Oxycodone obtained from a pharmacy, but when sold on the street the pills routinely contain fentanyl. These particular pills are usually round tablets and often light blue in color, though they may be in different shapes and a rainbow of colors.  They often have “M” and “30” imprinted on opposite sides of the pill.  Do not take these or any other pills bought on the street – they are routinely fake and poisonous, and you won’t know until it’s too late. 

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EVANSVILLE- A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Jeremial Lee Leach, 19, of Evansville, Indiana with one count of Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death, two counts of Distribution of Fentanyl, and one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl.

As alleged in the complaint and indictment, Leach is responsible for dealing fentanyl resulting in at least three overdoses, one of which resulted in death. Leach advertised fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills over Snapchat to hundreds of recipients using the alias “Mel.”

On June 25, 2022, at approximately 12:11 a.m., officers with the Evansville Police Department (EPD) responded to a residence on Wedeking Avenue in reference to the overdose of an adult female. The woman was revived with naloxone. Later the same day, at approximately 10:55 a.m., EPD officers responded to the same residence on Wedeking Avenue for the overdose of another woman, who subsequently died. The coroner located a counterfeit oxycodone pill containing fentanyl on the deceased woman’s person. The cause of both overdoses was determined to be fentanyl intoxication.

Investigators searched the deceased victim’s phone and found conversations between her and Jeremial “Mel” Leach in which they discussed the transaction of “blues” pills. Leach gave her his address on Shanklin Avenue.

On August 20, 2022, at approximately 4:15 p.m., EPD officers were dispatched to a restaurant located on Hirschland Road concerning an overdose. Upon arrival, the officers located a woman sitting on the ground in the parking lot of the restaurant, not alert and beginning to lose consciousness. An officer administered naloxone and, a short time later, the woman began to regain consciousness. The woman advised EFD that she had taken 30 mg of oxycodone.

On August 22, 2022, the third victim told investigators that on the day of her overdose, she purchased four Percocet 30’s from 1614 Shanklin Avenue and overdosed because they contained fentanyl. She identified her supplier as “Mel,” Jeremial Leach.

On October 7, 2022, at approximately 2:14 p.m., EPD officers responded to a location on SE Riverside Drive after receiving a call regarding a single vehicle accident. The witness advised that the driver of the vehicle, a minor boy, was no longer coherent. EFD personnel arrived on scene and attempted to wake the driver with a sternum rub. After that failed, they administered naloxone. The boy became responsive and admitted to medical personnel that he took two Percocet 7.5mg pills that he had purchased from “Mel” via Snapchat approximately forty-five minutes before the vehicle crash. He speculated that the pills may have been pressed fentanyl pills, rather than actual Percocet.

On October 11, 2022, investigators with the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force observed Leach conduct two apparent drug deals at his residence. The buyers, both underage boys, left separately in a Kia Optima and a gold Hyundai Tucson. Shortly thereafter, law enforcement stopped both vehicles after observing traffic violations.

During the stop of the vehicles, investigators located three blue pills marked “M30” inside the Kia and six blue pills marked “M30” inside the Tucson. One of the boys in the buyer’s car later stated that his dealer’s name was “Mel.”

Later that day, officers executed a search warrant at Leach’s residence on Shanklin Avenue. Leach exited the front door of the home and was taken into custody by detectives. Some of the items located and seized during the search included 33 blue pills marked “30,” a digital scale, two 9mm pistols, and approximately $1,843 in cash.

The pills seized during the two traffic stops and from Leach’s residence were submitted for laboratory analysis and tested positive for the presence of fentanyl. 

DEA, Evansville Police Department, and the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force investigated this case. If convicted on all counts, Leach faces up to life in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine the actual sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Kristian Mukoski, who is prosecuting this case.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, depending on a person’s body size, tolerance, and past usage. One kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people. 6 out of 10 illegal fentanyl tablets sold on U.S. streets now contain a potentially lethal dose of the drug.

One Pill Can Kill: Avoid pills bought on the street because One Pill Can Kill. Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that drug dealers dilute with cutting agents to make counterfeit prescription pills that appear to be Oxycodone, Percocet, Xanax, and other drugs.  Fentanyl is used because it’s cheap.  Small variations in the quantity or quality of fentanyl in a fake prescription pill can accidentally create a lethal dosage.  Fentanyl has now become the leading cause of drug poisoning deaths in the United States.  Fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl are usually shaped and colored to look like pills sold at pharmacies, like Percocet and Xanax.  For example, fake prescription pills known as “M30s” imitate Oxycodone obtained from a pharmacy, but when sold on the street the pills routinely contain fentanyl. These particular pills are usually round tablets and often light blue in color, though they may be in different shapes and a rainbow of colors.  They often have “M” and “30” imprinted on opposite sides of the pill.  Do not take these or any other pills bought on the street – they are routinely fake and poisonous, and you won’t know until it’s too late. 

An indictment or criminal complaint are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

 

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INDIANAPOLIS- Jeremy Bullock, 45, of Indianapolis, Indiana has been sentenced to 5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm and possessing an unregistered “sawed off” shotgun.

According to court documents, on July 1, 2020, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers, including a SWAT team, executed a search warrant at Bullock’s residence on Summer Avenue in Indianapolis. Bullock told officers that there were three firearms inside the residence, including a “short shotgun,” an “AR” and a .380 pistol. Bullock also stated that he placed the shotgun and .380 pistol in the attic when the SWAT team was outside the residence

While searching the residence, officers located a rifle in the kitchen behind the washing machine, the receiver for a.380 pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun. The shotgun had been “sawed off.” A “sawed off” shotgun has an overall length of less than 26 inches and a barrel length of less than 18 inches and is not legal under the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Act, unless the owner is specifically authorized, and the weapon is registered with the appropriate federal authorities.

Bullock is prohibited from possessing any firearm due to his previous felony convictions of attempted carjacking, illegally possessing a firearm, resisting law enforcement, burglary, and murder.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division, and Chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Randal Taylor, made the announcement.

“Guns in the hands of violent criminals drive violence and death in our neighborhoods,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “This convicted murderer chose to possess multiple firearms, including an ‘AR’-style rifle and a illegal ‘sawed-off’ shotgun. As we work to urgently reduce gun violence, investigation and federal prosecution of the most dangerous armed criminals is a top priority. We are grateful to our partners at IMPD and ATF for ensuring that this defendant is disarmed and behind bars.”

ATF and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James P. Hanlon. Judge Hanlon also ordered that Bullock be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Michelle P. Brady, who prosecuted this case.

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

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INDIANAPOLIS- Alexandria Flick, 23, of Bloomington, Indiana, has been convicted of a felony and sentenced to 3 years of federal supervised probation after pleading guilty to making false statements in connection with the purchase of sixteen firearms. Flick is the third and final defendant to be sentenced in connection with this straw-purchasing conspiracy.

In December 2022, Ariel Campbell was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to making false statements in connection with the purchase of a firearm for a felon. In March 2022, Antoine Sutton was sentenced to 74 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to court documents, between October 2020 and February 2021, both Flick and Campbell purchased a total of 17 firearms on behalf of Sutton from American Arms, a federally licensed firearms dealer in Bloomington, Indiana.

Video surveillance footage from American Arms shows both Flick and Campbell entering the business with Sutton on different occasions. All three individuals are seen on camera looking at various firearms and accessories on multiple occasions. Sutton attempted to put money towards purchasing a rifle from American Arms and told the store employee that Campbell would pay the remaining balance and fill out the required ATF firearms purchase form.

Flick and Campbell would often accompany Sutton at American Arms, or they would communicate via text message about which firearms Sutton wanted purchased. Sutton then resold the straw purchased firearms via Snapchat.

When Flick and Campbell made the purchases, they falsely affirmed on federal firearms purchase documents that they were the actual buyer of the firearms, when in fact, they were purchasing them for Sutton.

A search of Campbell’s cellphone revealed text messages between her and Sutton, in which she asked what kind of ammunition she should buy and how much. While Campbell was physically in the American Arms store, Sutton sent her a screenshot of the specific gun he wanted from an online listing to which Campbell replied with a photo of the same gun in-store. Campbell also texted, “I’ll grab guns for you whenever, I really don’t care.”

On February 25, 2021, Flick drove Sutton to a location where Sutton sold a rifle, equipped with a high-capacity magazine and loaded with 26 rounds, to an individual for $700. Multiple firearms that Flick and Campbell purchased for Sutton have been recovered during criminal investigations in both Indiana and Chicago.

Sutton is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his previous felony convictions of dealing in cocaine, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division, and Michael Diekhoff, Chief of Bloomington Police Department made the announcement.

“People who illegally buy guns for criminals share responsibility for the violence afflicting our communities,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “These illegal ‘straw purchases’ are a form of gun trafficking that fuels gun violence everywhere. Illegally armed criminals and those who put the guns in their hands must be identified and prosecuted. I commend the diligent work of the ATF and the Bloomington Police Department to dismantle this gun trafficking conspiracy and hold these criminals accountable.”

“I will echo U.S. Attorney Myers statement,” stated Daryl McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “Those who divert firearms from lawful commerce into the hands of felons bear responsibility for the crime in our community, and we will continue to work with our partners to identify them and bring them to justice.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case with valuable assistance provided by the Bloomington Police Department. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jane Magnus Stinson. Judge Stinson also ordered that Flick be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for xx years following her release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Kelsey L. Massa, who prosecuted this case.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Chicago Gun Trafficking Strike Force and has prioritized investigation and prosecution of gun trafficking crimes. On July 22, 2021, the Department of Justice launched five cross-jurisdictional strike forces to help reduce gun violence by disrupting illegal firearms trafficking in key regions across the country. These gun trafficking strike forces are designed to ensure coordination across jurisdictions and help stem the supply of illegally trafficked firearms from source cities, through other communities, and into five key market regions: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area/Sacramento Region and Washington, D.C.

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INDIANAPOLIS- John E. Lamond II, 38, of Beech Grove, Indiana, has been sentenced to 63 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents, on September 2, 2020, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers observed a vehicle, driven by Lamond, begin to travel in reverse upon seeing a fully marked police car. Lamond continued to drive recklessly in reverse in the middle of the road for two blocks. When officers activated their emergency lights and initiated a traffic stop, Lamond exited his vehicle and fled into a nearby home. After being instructed multiple times to stop running, Lamond was arrested by officers.

During a search of the vehicle, officers found a 9mm handgun between the driver’s and passenger’s seats belonging to Lamond. The vehicle was also determined to be stolen.

Lamond is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his six previous felony convictions including criminal confinement, carrying a handgun without a license, receiving stolen auto parts, criminal recklessness, strangulation, and possession of methamphetamine.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division, and Randal Taylor, Chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department made the announcement.

“This dangerous, convicted felon has no business owning a firearm, and in-fact, is prohibited from doing so by federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Myers “I commend the outstanding first responders who protected the public by arresting a dangerous criminal who through his actions has shown an utter disregard for the law. The serious sentence imposed today will protect the public from further crimes by Mr. Lamond and demonstrates that our office will work closely with our local and federal partners to make our communities safer.”

ATF and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Lamond be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 2 years following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Pamela S. Domash, who prosecuted this case.

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

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NEW ALBANY- Franklin Gomar, 42, of Kentucky, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm and failing to register as a sex offender.

According to court documents, in January, 2001, Gomar was convicted of 2nd degree manslaughter in Jefferson County, Kentucky. In April, 2001, Gomar was also convicted of the sexual abuse of a 9 year old child. The sexual abuse conviction requires Gomar to register as a sex offender wherever he lives, works, or goes to school.

On or before March 1, 2020, Gomar lived in Scottsburg, Indiana. Gomar knowingly failed to register or update his registration as required by the Sex Offender Registration Notification Act (SORNA). SORNA requires offenders to register within 3 business days after a change of residence.

On March 13, 2020, law enforcment officers with the Bureau of Alochol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives executed a search warrant at Gomar’s residence in Scottsburg, Indiana. During the search, officers found a loaded Ruger 9mm handgun on Gomar’s person. Officers also located a rifle loaded with a high capacity magazine in the bedroom. The rifle had been reported stolen by the Louisville Metro Police in March of 2019.

Gomar is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his previous felony convictions.  

“This extremely dangerous defendant, one who has displayed a pattern of predatory and violent criminal activity, willfully disregarding the law, and continuing to arm himself, is exactly the type of individual our office works to ensure is behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “I commend the work of the ATF, Indiana State Police, the U.S. Marshals, and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office for tracking down this offender and preventing him from being able to harm or abuse any other vulnerable individuals.”

“The law clearly defines when an individual is prohibited from possessing a firearm. The defendant’s past violent criminal record, including manslaughter and sexual abuse of a child, clearly place him in the prohibited category,” stated Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to remove violent individuals from our community and working to keep us all safer.”

“I hope other would-be criminals see these results of this investigation and decide not to visit Scott County, Indiana.,” said Scott County Sheriff, Jerry Goodin. “If you break the law or are a fugitive from justice, we will work with all law enforcement agencies necessary to assist in getting you arrested; it is that simple.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated this case, with valuable assistance provided by the Indiana State Police, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Region Fugitive Task Force. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Gomar be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Pamela S. Domash, who prosecuted this case.

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INDIANAPOLIS- Jeffrey Fleshood, 44, of Franklin, Indiana was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to Attempted Interference with Commerce by Robbery and Felon in Possession of a Firearm as an Armed Career Criminal.

According to court documents, on October 12, 2021, Jeffrey Fleshood attempted to rob a car dealership located on Washington Street in Indianapolis, Indiana. Around 12:30 pm that afternoon, Fleshood called the business to inquire about a truck that had been advertised for sale. Fleshood confirmed that he would come by the dealership at some point to buy the truck.

At 3:23 p.m. that same day, Fleshood entered the dealership. Fleshood spoke to Victim 1, who was working at the dealership that day, and told him that he wanted to see the truck. Fleshood then brandished a .380 caliber semiautomatic pistol, pointed it at Victim 1, and ordered him to get on his knees and put his hands in the air. Fleshood held the muzzle of the pistol against Victim 1’s back and attempted to bind his hands with zip-ties. Victim 1 fought back and wrestled the gun from Fleshood. During the struggle, Fleshood struck Victim 1 multiple times with his fists and the pistol. Victim 1 suffered multiple cuts, bruises, and a broken tooth because of the fight.

Victim 1 managed to get the gun away from Fleshood and call 911. Fleshood fled the scene of the robbery and was quickly arrested by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officers at the intersection of Southeastern and Arsenal avenues. During the investigation, officers located zip-ties on Fleshood’s person and scattered in the street.

At the time of his arrest, Fleshood had been previously convicted of six felonies, including residential entry, three separate burglary charges, resisting law enforcement, and possession of methamphetamine. These felony convictions prohibit Fleshood from possessing a firearm under federal law.  

“Every person deserves to feel safe where they live and work. This defendant terrorized and violently robbed an innocent man at his place of employment,’ said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana Zachary A. Myers. “His violent, senseless crimes have no place in our communities, and we are safer with him behind federal prison bars. I am grateful to the FBI and IMPD for ensuring that he is held accountable for his actions. 

“This sentence clearly demonstrates the impact and importance of the ongoing collaboration between the FBI and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “This defendant failed to learn from multiple previous felony convictions and instead chose to continue committing acts of violence. The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to ensuring residents feel safe in their homes, places of work and the community.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with valuable assistance provided by IMPD. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Richard L. Young. Judge Young also ordered that Fleshood be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Kelsey Massa, who prosecuted this case.

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

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INDIANAPOLIS- David Day, 54, of Alexandria, Indiana has been sentenced to 2.5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to failure to register as a sex offender.

According to court documents, on April 6, 1992, Day was convicted in the state of California of Rape by Force of a Minor Under 14 Years of Age. Day was sentenced to 19 years imprisonment and was released on parole on May 19, 2011. He was later sent back to prison and released in March of 2015. As a result of his conviction for raping a child under 14 by force, Day was required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

Day registered as a sex offender in California on March 14, 2015, where he signed a notice acknowledging “If I move outside California, I am required by federal law to register in the new state within three (3) working days.” Day renewed his registration 11 times while living in California, each time acknowledging the requirement to register in a new state within three working days should he move outside the state. In or around October 2019, Day travelled from California to Alexandria, Indiana. Day lived in Alexandria, Indiana from October 2019 until July 27, 2021, without re-registering as a sex offender.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers and Dan McClain, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Indiana made the announcement.

“Sex offender registries exist to help protect our communities from violent child rapists like this defendant,” said U.S. Attorney Myers. “This prosecution and sentence should put every sex offender who is required to register on notice—failure to comply with federal registration requirements may result in a serious prison sentence. I commend the Marshals Service for their continuing efforts to keep our children safe.”

The United States Marshals Services investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Day be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years following his release from federal prison. Day must also register as a sex offender wherever he lives, works, or goes to school, as required by law.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Kelsey Massa, who prosecuted this case.

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INDIANAPOLIS – In honor of National Police Week 2023, U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends, and fellow officers they left behind.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15, honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. According to National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund, in 2021, 472 U.S. law enforcement officers died in the line of duty, including 319 who succumbed to COVID-19.

The following seven officers who died in the line of duty in the Southern District of Indiana had their names read and added to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial on Saturday, May 13, 2023, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C.

• JOHN MEDLEY WHISMAN, 45, Charlestown P.D. EOW 10/1/1936
• WILLIAM JAMES COX, 67, Fairmount P.D. EOW 6/26/1941
• GARY LAYNE WEINKE, 67, Indiana Department of Correction. EOW 4/25/2020
• NOAH CLEON RAINEY, 29, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. EOW 1/29/2022
• NOAH JACOB SHAHNAVAZ, 24, Elwood P.D. EOW 7/31/2022
• DOUGLAS WARREN SANFORD, 48, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. EOW 3/29/2022
• SEARA BROOKE BURTON, 28, Richmond P.D. EOW 9/18/2022

“We honor these fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their communities.” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers. “We must never lose sight of the danger and difficulties that law enforcement officers face on our behalf. Without them, we cannot protect the public and maintain the rule of law. We are forever grateful for their bravery, selflessness, and sacrifice.”

Additionally, according to 2022 Statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 60 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2022 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 58 died in accidents. Deaths resulting from felonious acts decreased in 2022, lowering 17.8 percent from the previous year. Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program. 

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INDIANAPOLIS- A former Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant pleaded guilty today to violating the civil rights of an arrestee by using excessive force.

According to court documents, on Sept. 24, 2021, Eric Huxley, 44, of Indianapolis, then a sergeant with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, was on patrol in downtown Indianapolis when another officer requested his assistance in confronting a disorderly person on Monument Circle.

After officers placed the victim, identified as J.V., under arrest for disorderly conduct, Huxley assisted other officers with conducting an inventory of J.V.’s property. When officers began to remove J.V.’s belt, J.V. became confrontational with the officers. The primary arresting officer used a department-approved takedown maneuver to bring J.V., who had already been handcuffed, to the ground. The arresting officer held J.V. down with one hand while a second officer restrained his legs. This reasonable and appropriate use of force effectively overcame J.V.’s resistance and rendered him physically unable to move.

Despite knowing that J.V. had been effectively restrained and posed no further danger to officers or the public, Huxley then intentionally raised his right foot and drove it down onto J.V.’s head and face.

“This police officer violently and callously assaulted a homeless man who posed no threat,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to investigate and prosecute law enforcement officers for violating federal civil rights laws.”

“In addition to the trauma inflicted on victims, police officers who break the law and use excessive force damage the community’s trust in the law enforcement profession,” said United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “Officers put themselves at risk every day doing a difficult and sometimes dangerous job to uphold the law and protect their communities. Those who instead commit crimes must be identified and prosecuted. Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that the FBI, Department of Justice, and our U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to seeking accountability for those who violate people’s civil rights under the color of law.”

“Everyday law enforcement officers in this country face dangerous situations which require the application of reasonable force to protect themselves and others. Unfortunately, some officers fail to adhere to the applicable standards of law and policy, inflicting harm instead of preventing it,” said Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton of the Indianapolis Federal Bureau of Investigation. “This guilty plea reflects the FBI’s commitment to protecting the civil rights of all citizens, and I commend the work of the Special Agents and prosecutors who helped ensure the defendant was held accountable for his illegal conduct.”

Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Huxley faces a maximum of 10 years in prison followed by supervised release. A federal judge will determine sentencing guidelines based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers, and Special Agent in Charge Stapleton made the announcement.

The FBI Indianapolis Field Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Preston for the Southern District of Indiana and Trial Attorney Alec Ward of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.

Prior release here

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A former Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant pleaded guilty today to violating the civil rights of an arrestee by using excessive force.

According to court documents, on Sept. 24, 2021, Eric Huxley, 44, was on patrol in downtown Indianapolis when another officer requested his assistance in confronting a disorderly person on Monument Circle. After officers placed the victim, identified as J.V., under arrest for disorderly conduct, Huxley assisted other officers with conducting an inventory of J.V.’s property. When officers began to remove J.V.’s belt, he became confrontational with the officers. The primary arresting officer used a department-approved takedown maneuver to bring J.V., who had already been handcuffed, to the ground. The arresting officer held J.V. down with one hand while a second officer restrained his legs. This reasonable and appropriate use of force effectively overcame J.V.’s resistance and rendered him physically unable to move.

Despite knowing that J.V. had been effectively restrained and posed no further danger to officers or the public, Huxley then intentionally raised his right foot and drove it down onto J.V.’s head and face.

“This police officer violently and callously assaulted a homeless man who posed no threat,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to investigate and prosecute law enforcement officers for violating federal civil rights laws.”

“In addition to the trauma inflicted on victims, police officers who break the law and use excessive force damage the community’s trust in the law enforcement profession,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana. “Officers put themselves at risk every day doing a difficult and sometimes dangerous job to uphold the law and protect their communities. Those who instead commit crimes must be identified and prosecuted. Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that the FBI, Department of Justice, and our U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to seeking accountability for those who violate people’s civil rights under the color of law.”

“Every day law enforcement officers in this country face dangerous situations which require the application of reasonable force to protect themselves and others. Unfortunately, some officers fail to adhere to the applicable standards of law and policy, inflicting harm instead of preventing it,” said Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton of the FBI Indianapolis Field Office. “This guilty plea reflects the FBI’s commitment to protecting the civil rights of all citizens, and I commend the work of the Special Agents and prosecutors who helped ensure the defendant was held accountable for his illegal conduct.”

Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Huxley faces a maximum of 10 years in prison followed by supervised release. A federal judge will determine the sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Myers and Special Agent in Charge Stapleton made the announcement.

The FBI Indianapolis Field Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Preston for the Southern District of Indiana and Trial Attorney Alec Ward of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.

NEW ALBANY- Calvin Levi Johnson, 20, of Bedford, Indiana, was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to theft from a federally licensed firearms dealer.  

According to court documents, on January 11, 2022, at approximately 2:11 in the morning, officers with the Bedford Police Department (BPD) responded to a burglary alarm at a local Knife and Gun shop.

Investigation of surrounding security cameras showed Calvin Levi Johnson using a hammer to break a display case, remove 16 handguns from the case, and place them inside a backpack. BPD obtained a search warrant for Johnson’s residence where they found four firearms inside a black “Champion” book bag on the floor by his bed. All of the stolen firearms have been located and confiscated by law enforcement.

“Thefts from gun retailers help to arm criminals and drive the violence in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “Identification and prosecution of gun traffickers helps to stem violent crime at its source and is a top priority for federal law enforcement. I commend the ATF, Indiana State Police, and the Bedford Police Department for their efforts to hold this criminal accountable and track down all of the stolen guns to ensure they aren’t in the hands of dangerous, prohibited individuals.” 

“Stolen firearms are a significant source of crime guns for violent criminals,” stated Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “As the federal agency with both a responsibility to investigate violent firearms crimes and regulatory oversight of the firearms industry, we are committed to finding those responsible for burglaries like this one. We will join with our partners to bring them to justice and disrupt the flow of firearms from lawful commerce to the criminal element.”

ATF investigated this case, with valuable assistance provided by the Indiana State Police and the Bedford Police Department. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge, Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Johnson be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 2 years following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Jayson W. McGrath, who prosecuted this case.

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INDIANAPOLIS- Jackie Dale Smith, 47, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, on May 19, 2021, Drug Enforcement Administration agents watched Jackie Dale Smith supply 219 grams of methamphetamine to an individual for $2,500 out of his vehicle. Shortly afterwards, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Smith in the area of East Washington Street and Sherman Drive. Smith failed to stop and fled from law enforcement. During the pursuit, officers watched Smith throw approximately 40 grams of pure methamphetamine out of his car window, which was later recovered scattered on the street, the entrance of a gas station, and on the sidewalk.

Ten minutes after the pursuit was called off for safety reasons, agents found Smith’s vehicle parked at a nearby residence. A search of the vehicle found methamphetamine scattered throughout the front and passenger sides, along with a broken plastic baggie that had drug residue in it. Drug lab tests found that the total amount of methamphetamine in the car was approximately 26 grams.

Just fifteen minutes after locating the vehicle, IMPD officers found and arrested Smith.

U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers, Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Indianapolis Field Office, and Randal Taylor, Chief of IMPD made the announcement.

“Methamphetamine and other controlled substances are killing far too many Hoosiers and have devastating impacts on users, their loved ones, and our communities,” said United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “I commend the efforts of the DEA and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to make our communities safer by getting meth and meth dealers off our streets.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case with valuable assistance provided by IMPD. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker. Judge Barker also ordered that Dale Smith be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 6 years following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Jayson McGrath, who prosecuted this case.

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

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INDIANAPOLIS- A federal jury has found James Lee Willis, 40, of Bloomington, Indiana, guilty of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material.

According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, in January 2018, law enforcement officers first became aware of Willis’s online activity when an IP address that later traced to his house showed downloads of videos and images that depicted minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Some files depicted very graphic material of minors under 10 years old being sexually abused and raped by adult men.

In February 2018, law enforcement officers searched Willis’s Bloomington residence and found electronic devices containing evidence that Willis had searched for and downloaded child sexual abuse material over the internet. The digital forensic evidence from the devices again demonstrated Willis’s interest in videos and images of minors as young as 10 years old being sexually abused, including evidence of when Willis downloaded the material and evidence of when he watched it on the devices.

In all, the evidence showed that on dates in January and February 2018, Willis downloaded and watched dozens of files from the internet that contained videos and images of child sexual exploitation. 

U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers and Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies led by the Indiana State Police. The Task Force is dedicated to investigating and prosecuting crimes involving the technology-facilitated sexual exploitation of children and the trafficking of child sexual abuse material. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators evaluate thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristina M. Korobov and Adam Eakman, who prosecuted this case.

U.S. District Court Judge Jane E. Magnus-Stinson presided over the trial and will sentence Willis at a later date. Willis faces a prison sentence of a minimum of 5 years, up to 20 years, for each of the 5 charges related to his downloading activity, and from 0 to 20 years for the charge relating to his possession of the material. Willis also faces a period of supervision of 5 years, up to life, following his release from prison, and he must register as a sex offender wherever he lives, works, or goes to school. Actual sentences are determined by a federal district court judge and are typically less than the maximum penalties.

If you are a victim of child sexual exploitation, please contact your local police department. Resources for victims of child exploitation can be found on our website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/project-safe-childhood

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

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INDIANAPOLIS- The final of four defendants has been sentenced to federal prison for his part in a multi-state drug trafficking scheme. Charles House, 40, of Anderson, Indiana was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after a federal jury found him guilty as charged on twelve counts, including attempting to traffic methamphetamine, trafficking in over 100 kilograms of marijuana, and illegally possessing twelve firearms.

According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, in October 2018, the Madison County Drug Task Force initiated an investigation into Charles House’s drug trafficking organization. House traveled to California to purchase narcotics and then mailed the narcotics to multiple addresses in Anderson, Indiana. The marijuana was then redistributed by co-conspirators Sean Brown and Marcus Hayes-Patterson in Anderson. Tommy Compton was House’s Indianapolis source of supply for marijuana. All told, House procured over 8 kilograms of pure methamphetamine and over 450 kilograms of marijuana. Defendants facilitated their drug trafficking activities through the use of cellular phones and often used code words to try to conceal their illegal activities.

In addition to his drug trafficking crimes, House was convicted two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, after law enforcement officers seized his firearms during execution of lawful searches. House is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law, following a prior felony conviction for Dealing Marijuana and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

In total, House, and his three co-conspirators were sentenced as follows:

DEFENDANT

CHARGE(S)

SENTENCE

Charles House, 40,

Anderson, Indiana

Drug Trafficking Conspiracy; Methamphetamine Trafficking; Unlawful Use of a Cell Phone to Facilitate Drug Trafficking; Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

30 years in prison

5 years of supervised release

$500 fine

Sean Brown, 28,

Anderson, Indiana

Drug Trafficking Conspiracy; Two Counts of Methamphetamine Trafficking

15 years in prison

5 years of supervised release

Tommy Compton, 42,

Indianapolis

Drug Trafficking Conspiracy; Cocaine Base Trafficking; Unlawful Use of a Cell Phone to Facilitate Drug Trafficking

10 years in prison

5 years of supervised release

Marcus Hayes-Patterson, 37,

Indianapolis

Drug Trafficking Conspiracy; Unlawful Use of a Cell Phone to Facilitate Drug Trafficking

41 months in prison

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office, Justin Campbell, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office, Rodney Hopkins, Postal Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Detroit Division, Delaware County Sheriff Tony Skinner, and Madison County Sheriff made the announcement

This investigation was led by the FBI, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Drug Task Force, IRS Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Lindsay Karwoski and Barry D. Glickman, who prosecuted this case.

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

See previous press release here

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INDIANAPOLIS- Tammy J. Scudder, 52, of Shelbyville, Indiana, was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to four counts of wire fraud.

According to court documents, from 2012 to December of 2021, Tammy Scudder devised and participated in a scheme to defraud her employer of more than $600,000. Scudder served as the Controller for a company located in Shelbyville, Indiana for nine years. As Controller, Scudder was the company’s top accountant and maintained its accounting ledgers, managed payroll, and had access to online bank accounts. Scudder also had access to the company’s accounting software, which she used to generate checks in Plymate’s name.

Scudder abused her position of trust as Controller to exploit a vulnerability in the company’s accounting system. Scudder knew that the company’s Group Health Plan bank account was difficult to double-check because it was funded based upon the total amount of the weekly claims on the list it received from another company, rather than by each claim individually. Scudder accessed the victim company’s accounting software to generate and print a company check to herself, signed using another employee’s signature stamp. After Scudder printed the check, she concealed the theft by altering and falsifying the victim company’s accounting records.

Scudder used the stolen money to take vacations, pay off personal debts, fund her children’s educational expenditures, and by make improvements to her Shelbyville residence. Between February 2, 2012, and December 17, 2020, Scudder generated 154 false and fraudulent checks totaling $693,708.75.

United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A Myers, Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office made the announcement.

“The defendant abused her position of trust and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars intended to pay for the health care of her colleagues,” said U.S. Attorney, Zachary A. Myers. “This incessant greed, spanning nearly a decade, has been quashed thanks to our dedicated partners at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Our office will continue to identify and prosecute individuals who scheme and steal to satisfy their own greed.”

The FBI investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Scudder by supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 2 years following her release from federal prison and pay the full $693,708 in restitution to Plymate.  

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, who prosecuted this case.

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INDIANAPOLIS- Nathaniel Bradley, 41, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, with intent to distribute.

According to court documents, on March 16, 2021, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration and officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department initiated a traffic stop on Nathaniel Bradley near his home on Rural Street in Indianapolis. Bradley refused to stop and fled from officers with two children inside his car. Officers stopped their pursuit because of the children in Bradley’s vehicle. They later saw him park in a driveway on Nicholas Avenue on the East side of Indianapolis. Bradley ran into the backyard of the residence, leaving the two children in the car alone.

Bradley was apprehended and taken into custody. He admitted that he had approximately one pound of methamphetamine, pills, seven grams of crack, and an AR-style firearm at his home. Investigators executed a search warrant at Bradley’s residence that evening, and located 406 grams of methamphetamine, 7.03 grams of cocaine base, 3 grams of heroin, a loaded AR .223 rifle, two AR magazines, and a loaded Smith and Wesson pistol. Bradly was prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law, due to a prior felony conviction in West Virginia for possession with intent to deliver cocaine.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Indianapolis Field Office, and Randall Taylor, Chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department made the announcement.

“This defendant chose to traffic in deadly drugs, illegally arm himself with a weapon of war, and flee from police with children in his car,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers. “Criminals who demonstrate an utter disregard for the safety of our neighborhoods and the sanctity of our laws must face consequences. I am grateful to the DEA and IMPD for their ongoing efforts to help hold dangerous criminals accountable in federal court. The federal prison sentence imposed here should serve as a warning to any who choose to menace our streets—serious crimes warrant serious consequences.”

The DEA and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson. Judge Stinson also ordered that Bradley be supervised by the U.S Probation Office for 5 years following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Michelle P. Brady, who prosecuted this case.

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INDIANAPOLIS- A federal jury has found Kyree Bryce Harris, 25, of Indianapolis, Indiana, guilty of illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, on the morning of June 17, 2022, IMPD officers were called to Ethel Avenue in Indianapolis, Indiana on a report of a suspicious vehicle parked in front of the Twenty Fifth Street Baptist church all night. When officers arrived, they encountered Harris asleep in the vehicle with a handgun tucked next to his leg, between the driver’s seat and center console.  The gun had previously been reported stolen.  On scene and at trial, Harris admitted he carried the gun for protection. 

Because Harris was a convicted felon, federal law prohibited him from possessing firearms.  His felony convictions stemmed from a string of six armed robberies of Indianapolis-area convenience stores and Family Dollar stores that he committed in January 2017, for which he was also convicted federally.  

U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers, Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division, and Randal Taylor, Chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department made the announcement.

“It is evident by this defendant’s criminal history that he has a willful disregard for the law,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “We are very thankful that officers intervened when they did, potentially preventing future robberies, violence, or even death. Any time a firearm can be taken out of the hands of a reckless individual, it is a win for our community.”

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremy C. Fugate and Michelle P. Brady, who prosecuted this case.

U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker presided over the trial and will sentence Harris at a later date. Harris faces a minimum of 15 years, up to life, in prison followed by up to five years of supervised release. Actual sentences are determined by a federal district court judge and are typically less than the maximum penalties.

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INDIANAPOLIS- Benjamin Covey, 43, of Eaton, Indiana was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for distribution of child sexual abuse material.

According to court documents, on January 28, 2022, the Muncie Police Department (MPD) received an FBI tip stating that images depicting child sexual abuse had been uploaded to the instant messaging application, Kik, by username “BosJangles.” The username belonged to Benjamin Covey. That same day, it was also discovered that Covey had been accused of allowing juveniles to drink and showing them sexually explicit materials.

Investigators with the MPD contacted Covey, who agreed to an interview. Covey confirmed he used the Kik account “BosJangles” to join a group chat called “pedo for kids.” Investigators searched Covey’s cellphone and uncovered 600 images depicting child sexual abuse material. Many of the images depicted prepubescent boys being made to engage in sex acts. At least one of the images depicted an adult engaged in a sex act with a toddler.

“This dangerous criminal used Kik to find other pedophiles and share the horrific abuse of the most vulnerable victims,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Those who gather online to revel in the exploitation of children will be identified and prosecuted. I am grateful to the FBI and the Muncie Police Department for work to ensure that this defendant will serve a significant prison sentence, where out children will be out of his reach.”

“The distribution of child sexual abuse material over any platform is not a harmless, victimless crime, but one that continues to traumatize these children every time it is viewed,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The most vulnerable in our society deserve all the protection we can provide, and the FBI and our partners are committed to unmasking these predators and holding them accountable.”

The FBI investigated this case with valuable assistance provided by the Muncie Police Department. The sentence was imposed by Chief U.S. District Court Judge, Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Covey be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years following his release from federal prison. Covey must also register as a sex offender wherever he lives, works, or goes to school, as required by law.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence D. Hilton, who prosecuted this case.

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

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INDIANAPOLIS- Daniel Jibunor, 31, of Nigeria, has been sentenced to 3 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft and wire fraud for his role in stealing over $197,000 in unemployment insurance funds the provided by the 2020 Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

According to court documents, on September 11, 2020, Jibunor used a fake debit card under a fake name to try to purchase $1,850 in Western Union money orders at a Kroger in Bloomington, Indiana. When a Kroger employee asked to see the bank card, Jibunor attempted to give her a different bank card in his own name. Bloomington Police Department officers were called to the scene. During their investigation, officers searched Jibunor’s person and vehicle and located two fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance debit cards, two fake debit cards, a GoBank Green Dot card, approximately $12,980 in cash, and 21 money orders totaling $19,540.

The unemployment insurance debit cards Jibunor in the names of real people, including at least ten victims whose stolen identities were used to file fraudulent unemployment claims. Jibunor used the cards to purchase money orders from various businesses, including Kroger, Walmart, and the U.S. Post Office, and to make ATM withdrawals.

During an interview with investigators, Jibunor admitted to using unemployment debit cards to obtain money orders for another individual he would not identify. Jibunor possessed payment cards loaded with approximately $161,511 in unemployment insurance funds stolen from California and Nevada. In addition, the GoBank Green Dot card was loaded with unemployment insurance funds stolen from the programs in Arizona and Illinois, as well as $36,102 in fraud proceeds associated with an Economic Injury Disaster Loan.

In sum, Jibunor’ s criminal conduct resulted in at least $197,613 in actual losses to unemployment offices in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Illinois as well as the federal government.  

“At the height of the global pandemic, this defendant decided to steal emergency funds intended to be a vital lifeline for families in need,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Stealing identities and relief money during a disaster is a despicable crime that merits serious punishment. The federal prison sentence imposed today demonstrates that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to finding the criminals who have defrauded COVID-19 emergency response programs and holding them accountable.”

“Daniel Jibunor defrauded the state workforce agencies of Arizona, California, Illinois, and Nevada by participating in a conspiracy to file fraudulent unemployment insurance (UI) claims in the names of identity theft victims. Jibunor stole benefits intended to assist those who became unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of the UI system from those who exploit these benefit programs,” said Irene Lindow, Special Agent in Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.

“Those who profit off programs meant to help others in need is unacceptable. This sentence illustrates the FBI’s commitment to combating unemployment fraud,” said FBI Indianapolis Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert “Alex” Middleton. “Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively identify and pursue fraudsters who steal money and hold them accountable.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and the Bloomington Police Department. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson. Judge Stinson also ordered that Jibunor pay $197,613 in restitution and be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 1 year following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Kyle M. Sawa, who prosecuted this case.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID‑19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

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

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INDIANAPOLIS- Sierra Goode, 33, and Cody Stonehouse, 32, both of Indianapolis, Indiana, have been sentenced to 70 and 63 months in federal prison respectively after pleading guilty to distributing methamphetamine. Cody Stonehouse was sentenced in July 2021.

According to court documents, on October 9, 2020, Drug Enforcement Administration agents witnessed Stonehouse sell 40 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine to an individual. On December 9, 2020, agents once again witnessed Stonehouse sell 140 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine to another individual. Agents approached the vehicle where the transaction took place and arrested Stonehouse. Agents located 140 grams of methamphetamine on the console and front passenger seat where Stonehouse was sitting.

Sierra Goode was identified as the source of supply for Stonehouse, distributing three ounces of methamphetamine to him for $1,950. Shortly after, IMPD officers conducted a traffic stop on Goode. Goode admitted to selling the methamphetamine to Stonehouse. During a search of Goode’s vehicle, officers located a digital scale and $1,950. Lab tests determined that the actual amount of methamphetamine distributed was 50.8 grams.

United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Indianapolis Field Office, and Randal Taylor, Chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department made the announcement.

“Methamphetamine traffickers continue to inflict serious harm on our families and neighbors,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to do our part in getting these dangerous drugs off the street and holding traffickers accountable.”

DEA and IMPD investigated this case. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt and U.S. District Court Judge James R. Sweeney. The District Judges ordered that Goode be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years, and Stonehouse be supervised for 2 years following their release from federal prison. Stonehouse was also ordered to pay a $100 fine.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Jayson W. McGrath, who prosecuted this case.

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

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TERRE HAUTE- Dustin T. Swanda, 36, of Minnesota, was sentenced to 32 additional months in federal prison after pleading guilty to assaulting a federal officer.

According to court documents, in 2009, the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota sentenced Swanda to 151 months in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. On December 31, 2020, Swanda was housed at the Terre Haute Federal Correctional Institution. That day, correctional officers conducted routine security sweeps, including physical checks of the bars and windows in each cell. As part of the check, inmates are asked to leave the cell for a short period of time while the officers searched it. When an officer approached Swanda’s cell, he asked Swanda to step out. Swanda refused to comply. The officer observed Swanda “moving like a zombie,” making unintelligible noises, and staring at the wall. The officer believed Swanda was intoxicated in some manner and called for backup.

When instructed to leave his cell again, Swanda became volatile and continued to resist verbal commands. After multiple orders to voluntarily leave the cell were given, officers attempted to physically guide Swanda out of his cell. At this time, Swanda physically resisted the officers by kicking his legs and punching an officer in the face. One officer was taken to a local hospital for a broken finger.

The Bureau of Prisons investigated the case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James P. Hanlon. Judge Hanlon ordered that the sentence be served consecutively to the sentence Swanda is already serving, and also ordered that Swanda pay a $500 fine.  

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney James M. Warden, who prosecuted this case.

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INDIANAPOLIS- David Gerstein, 63, of Hamilton County, Indiana, has been convicted after pleading guilty to submitting a false income tax return.

According to court documents, between 2017 and 2020 willfully underreported his taxable income by at least $1,200,000, as a result evaded $360,669 in income taxes that he owed.

Since 1997, Gerstein has been the sole owner of a dermatology practice in Indianapolis, Indiana, and reported his business income to the Internal Revenue Service on his personal tax return.

During his tax evasion scheme, Gerstein used several different methods to conceal his true income. Gerstein lied to his accountant and told them that all income from his medical practice flowed into a single business bank account, and only provided them with records from that account. In fact, Gerstein had other hidden accounts that he used to deposit business income, including checks from patients, payments from insurance providers, and payments via Venmo. He further concealed the existence of his hidden bank accounts by routinely breaking up cash deposits of more than $10,000 and making multiple cash deposits on the same day. This illegal practice, known as “structuring transactions,” was intended to avoid the banks reporting these large cash deposits to the IRS. Gerstein continued to attempt to conceal the existence of some of his bank accounts even when interviewed by IRS- Criminal Investigation Agents.

“Every year, millions of Americans pay all the taxes they owe while criminals like this defendant lie and scheme to avoid paying their fair share,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Wealthy tax cheats drive up taxes for law-abiding people and deprive us of the government services to which we are entitled. Willfully falsifying tax returns is not a victimless crime, and the sentence imposed today demonstrates that those who break the law will be held accountable. I applaud the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation for their efforts to uncover these schemes and we will continue to work together to enforce our laws on behalf of the American people.”

“We hope that this conviction reinforces public confidence in our nation’s tax system,” said Justin Campbell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “The tax laws apply equally to everyone regardless of their income level. IRS-CI will continue to seek prosecution of high-income taxpayers that evade our tax laws. We would like to express our gratitude to the United States Attorney’s Office for their support in the prosecution of this case.”

IRS- Criminal Investigation investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James P. Hanlon. Judge Hanlon also ordered that Gerstein be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years, the first 6 months of which must be served at a residential re-entry center. Gerstein must also pay a fine of $95,000.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney James Warden, who prosecuted this case.

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EVANSVILLE- A federal grand jury indicted Mariama Wilson, 50, William Payne, 49, and Terrance Hardiman, 32, all of Evansville, on five counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Hardiman was also charged with one count of money laundering. The indictment was unsealed on April 26, 2023, following the three defendants’ arrests and initial appearances.

As alleged in the indictment, in Indiana, a township is a local governmental entity within a county that uses public funds to provide certain services to residents.  A township is administered by an elected official called a Township Trustee. Pigeon Township is one of eight townships in Vanderburgh County. The mission of the Trustee’s Office is to provide emergency financial relief to individuals residing in Pigeon Township who need assistance paying for essentials such as rent, utilities, and prescriptions. Wilson is the elected Pigeon Township Trustee and Payne works in the Trustee’s Office as the Director of Community Relations and Shelter Coordinator.  

In February 2020, Wilson and Payne agreed to hire Hardiman and his business, Hardiman Construction LLC, to remodel a homeless shelter and develop a food pantry, in exchange for Hardiman agreeing to kick back a portion of the funds that he received from the Trustee’s Office to Wilson and Payne.

As alleged in the indictment, Wilson and Payne caused the Trustee’s Office to pay inflated invoices that were submitted by Hardiman for the construction projects, and then pocketed the inflated amounts. Wilson, Payne, and Hardiman visited the homeless shelter and food pantry together, and during those visits, they identified specific projects that needed to be completed. Wilson, Payne, and Hardiman discussed how much the projects should cost and by how much Hardiman should inflate those costs to cover the kickbacks to Wilson and Payne. In general, they agreed to inflate the total amount billed in each invoice by $1,000 to $2,000.

Hardiman prepared invoices with fraudulently inflated charges to include the kickbacks, as agreed, and submitted them to Wilson and Payne for payment. Wilson or Payne approved the inflated invoices and caused the Trustee’s Office to issue checks to Hardiman Construction. 

Hardiman deposited the checks and then withdrew all or nearly all the deposited amount in cash, for the purpose of kicking back a portion of the proceeds to Wilson and Payne. Hardiman placed cash in an envelope and hand-delivered the envelope to Wilson or Payne. Wilson and Payne then divided the kickbacks.

In total, between February 11, 2020, and May 16, 2022, the Trustee’s Office paid Hardiman approximately $215,371 for the homeless shelter and food pantry projects. As a result of the kickback scheme, Wilson and Payne received approximately $38,000 in total, or approximately $19,000 each.

“Government officials who engage in corruption betray the public’s trust, for their personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “Inflated invoices and kickbacks rob the taxpayers of their hard-earned money and damage the trust that citizens are entitled to have in their government. The investigation and charges announced today demonstrate our office’s commitment to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to root out public corruption at all levels of government.”

“There are consequences when public officials illegally use public funds for their own personal benefit. In this case, the defendants prioritized their greed over the interests of the citizens they were supposed to serve,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will always work together to investigate allegations such as this and ensure perpetrators are held accountable.”

“We should all expect our public officials to act with integrity,” said Justin Campbell, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Office of Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  “When these officials violate the trust we have placed in them, there should be consequences.  IRS-Criminal Investigation will continue to support our law enforcement partners in ensuring that public funds are spent in the taxpayers’ best interests.”         

“I’m proud that we have honest individuals willing to report corruption when they see it, knowing that silence in the face of misconduct is not an option,” said Vanderburgh County Sheriff Noah Robinson. “The alleged crimes committed by these officials are a slap in the face to the community in which we live. This corrupt behavior runs counter to the oath they took, and certainly not what was promised to this community.”

“As Law Enforcement Officers, we have to hold people accountable and keep them honest, regardless of their positions,” said Evansville Police Chief Billy Bolin. “Actions like these defendants cause the community to lose faith in those entrusted with positions of power.”

If convicted, Wilson, Payne, and Hardiman face up to 20 years in federal prison and up to 3 years of supervised release each, as well as a fine. A federal district court judge will determine the actual sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Justin Campbell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Chicago Field Office, Chicago Field Office, Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office, Paul Joyce, State Examiner for the Indiana State Board of Accounts, Jeffrey R. Adams, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Indianapolis Field Office, Billy Bolin, Chief of Evansville Police Department, and Noah Robinson, Vanderburgh County Sheriff made the announcement.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Matthew B. Miller, who is prosecuting this case.  

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

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EVANSVILLE- Larry Beville, 61, of Louisville, Kentucky, has been sentenced to 160 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents, on August 24, 2022, as part of an ongoing investigation, members of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration stopped Larry Beville near the 8000 block of Eagle Crest Boulevard after observing a violation of traffic laws. Upon approaching the car, a detective saw drug paraphernalia and smelled burnt marijuana. Officers obtained a warrant to search the vehicle, and recovered marijuana, a glass, smoking pipe with apparent drug residue, and a plastic container that held a gallon-sized Ziploc bag full of over 1 kilogram of crystal methamphetamine.

When questioned by detectives, Beville initially stated that he did not know anything about the bag full of methamphetamine, but then changed his statement to acknowledge that there was a “kilo of methamphetamine” in the bag. Beville stated that he was delivering the methamphetamine to Evansville from Kentucky for distribution.

United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Indianapolis Field Office, and Chief Billy Bolin of the Evansville Police Department made the announcement.

“The serious federal sentenced imposed today should be a warning to all who intend to traffic dangerous drugs into our communities—you are not welcome in the Southern District of Indiana,” said United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “I am grateful to our partners at the DEA and Evansville Police Department who continue to get deadly drugs and drug traffickers off our streets and out of our neighborhoods.”

Evansville Police Department and DEA investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Richard L. Young. Judge Young also ordered that Beville be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Kristian Mukoski, who prosecuted this case.

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NEW ALBANY- Shawndrae Pratt, 34, of Jeffersonville, Indiana, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, on January 31, 2019, Pratt met another individual in Jeffersonville and sold them 11.5 grams of pure methamphetamine. On March 12, 2019, Pratt met the same buyer at a location in Clark County, Indiana, to sell them more methamphetamine. Pratt told the buyer he did not have his drug scales and needed to go get them. Pratt drove the buyer to Pratt’s apartment complex in Louisville, Kentucky, where he obtained his drug scales. Pratt returned from his apartment, weighed the drugs, and sold the buyer an additional 66.4 grams of pure methamphetamine. As part of the investigation, law enforcement officers seized methamphetamine, U.S. currency, and a 9mm handgun.

United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office, Kenny Kavanaugh, Chief of Jeffersonville Police Department, Clark County Sheriff Scott A. Maples Jr., and Mark Palmer, Chief of Clarksville Police Department made the announcement.

“Armed methamphetamine traffickers seek ill-gotten profits with utter disregard for the harm they do to our families, friends, and neighbors,” said U.S. Attorney Myers. “The serious federal prison sentence imposed here demonstrates that federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies will work together to hold criminals accountable for pushing deadly drugs in our communities.”

The FBI, Clarksville Police Department, Jeffersonville Police Department, and Clark County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker. Judge Barker also ordered that Pratt be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 7 years following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Pamela S. Domash and William L. McCoskey, who prosecuted this case.

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INDIANA- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana is commemorating National Crime Victims’ Rights Week from April 23–29, 2023.

According to a report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2021, there were more than 4.6 million violent victimizations and 11.7 million property crimes, the latest year for which such information is available.

“Survivors’ voices must be heard. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana is committed to listening to victims and supporting them at every step of the criminal justice process and beyond,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers. “National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is an opportunity for all of us involved in law enforcement to reaffirm our dedication to providing resources, connections, and support to victims of all crimes.” 

The federal Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week by raising awareness of victims’ rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s theme is “Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change.”

During NCVRW 2023, the USAO SDIN will share information about victims’ rights and resources and underscore the importance of listening to survivors’ voices in every space where decisions are made that could impact them by holding a roundtable with Domestic Violence Service Providers in the district. The USAO SDIN is also honoring agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department for their tireless advocacy on behalf of communities that have been affected by crime.

On October 21, 2022, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland released revised Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance. The revised guidelines updated, for the first time in a decade, when and how Department of Justice employees work with victims and witnesses of crime to ensure that their voices are heard and that they are protected during criminal justice proceedings. The guidelines apply to all department employees engaged in the investigative, prosecutorial, correctional, and parole functions within the criminal justice system.

For more information about how to support all victims of crime, visit OVC’s website at ovc.ojp.gov.

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INDIANA- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana is commemorating National Crime Victims’ Rights Week from April 23–29, 2023.

According to a report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2021, there were more than 4.6 million violent victimizations and 11.7 million property crimes, the latest year for which such information is available.

“Survivors’ voices must be heard. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana is committed to listening to victims and supporting them at every step of the criminal justice process and beyond,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers. “National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is an opportunity for all of us involved in law enforcement to reaffirm our dedication to providing resources, connections, and support to victims of all crimes.” 

The federal Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week by raising awareness of victims’ rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s theme is “Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change.”

During NCVRW 2023, the USAO SDIN will share information about victims’ rights and resources and underscore the importance of listening to survivors’ voices in every space where decisions are made that could impact them by holding a roundtable with Domestic Violence Service Providers in the district. The USAO SDIN is also honoring agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department for their tireless advocacy on behalf of communities that have been affected by crime.

On October 21, 2022, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland released revised Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance. The revised guidelines updated, for the first time in a decade, when and how Department of Justice employees work with victims and witnesses of crime to ensure that their voices are heard and that they are protected during criminal justice proceedings. The guidelines apply to all department employees engaged in the investigative, prosecutorial, correctional, and parole functions within the criminal justice system.

For more information about how to support all victims of crime, visit OVC’s website at ovc.ojp.gov.

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Indianapolis- DeAngelo Carnell, 24, of Indianapolis, Indiana was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison after pleading guilty to six counts of making false statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm and one count of dealing in firearms without a federal license.

According to court documents, over the course of 40 days, from April 2021 through May 2021, DeAngelo Carnell purchased a total of nineteen firearms from different gun retailers in the Indianapolis area over the course of six transactions as part of a “straw purchase” scheme. A straw purchase scheme is when a person not prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm falsely states to a federally licensed gun dealer that they are purchasing a firearm for themselves, when they know that the gun is actually intended for someone else, frequently someone who is prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm.

In each of these transactions, Carnell purported that he was buying the firearms for himself. On During a June 28, 2021, interview with a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives agent, Carnell admitted that he purchased all but one gun for other individuals and that most of the transactions were facilitated using Instagram. On one occasion Carnell met subjects from Chicago and Gary, Indiana, at a gun store to illegally by guns for them. Carnell admitted that he charged a $50 fee for each illegal purchase, and that it was common for him to purchase handguns for young people who were unable to legally buy a gun because they were under the age of twenty-one. Carnell admitted that buying and selling firearms was his sole source of income from April 2020 through June 2021.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division made the announcement.

“Illegal gun traffickers flood our streets with firearms and drive the violence plaguing too many of our neighborhoods, and saving lives requires us to stop the flow of crime guns at their source,” said U.S. Attorney Myers. “This defendant repeatedly lied to obtain firearms and profited by putting them into the hands of people prohibited from legally purchasing them. Now he will pay for his crimes in federal prison. This prosecution demonstrates that our office will work tirelessly with the ATF to identify illegal gun traffickers and hold them accountable.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Chief Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Carnell be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Jayson McGrath, who prosecuted this case.

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

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INDIANAPOLIS- Corey Bussell, 42 of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents, on May 8, 2021, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers were alerted to shots fired at a residence on Guilford Avenue in Indianapolis, Indiana. Victim 1 explained to detectives that she was visiting Bussell’s wife at their home when Bussell came down the stairs with a gun in his hand. Bussell pulled the slide back on the firearm and told Victim 1 to “get the f*** out of my house.” As Victim 1 left the house, Bussell followed her outside and fired the gun into the ground next to the steps of the front porch. Victim 1 stated that Bussell continued to threaten her, claiming that he would “pop” her with the firearm if she did not leave.

IMPD officers recovered one spent shell casing right outside the porch steps of Bussell’s residence. On May 13, 2021, officers initiated a traffic stop on Bussell near Guilford Avenue. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a fully loaded Glock handgun with an extended magazine inserted. The weapon had been reported stolen on March 13, 2021. On that same day, IMPD SWAT officers executed a search warrant at Bussell’s residence where they found 57.4 grams of a substance containing fentanyl, 5.39 grams of cocaine, and marijuana in a backpack.

Bussell’s multiple previous felony convictions for resisting law enforcement, possession of narcotics, robbery, alteration of handgun identification markers, carrying a handgun without a license, dealing in a sawed-off shotgun, and three convictions for illegal possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon prohibit him from ever possessing a firearm.

Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division, and Randal Taylor, Chief of IMPD made the announcement.

“This defendant poses an extreme danger to our community, as shown by his lengthy criminal history and willingness to engage in gun violence,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Not only did he use a firearm to threaten an innocent woman, but he was also responsible for pushing deadly poisons into our communities. We are grateful to our exceptional partners at IMPD and ATF for ensuring that this defendant is behind bars and unable to threaten or harm another individual.”

IMPD and ATF investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Chief Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Bussell be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 4 years following his release from Federal Prison and be subject to a $500 fine.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle P. Brady and Samantha Spiro, who prosecuted this case.

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

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Indianapolis- Bruce A. Williams II, 31, Zackary Dean Doss, 26, and Kevin Todd Jones, Jr. 21, have been charged in a federal indictment with Conspiracy to Receive, Possess, Store, or Sell Stolen Firearms. Williams and Doss have also been charged with Possession of Firearms by a Felon, and Jones has been charged with Possession or Sale of a Stolen Firearm. A fourth man, Ryan Hurt, 28, also of Indianapolis, has been charged in a related criminal complaint with Possession of Stolen Firearms.

As of today, Williams, Doss, and Hurt have been arrested. On April 20, 2023, each of them made their initial appearance in federal court. Williams and Doss have been detained by the U.S. Marshal Service as they await a detention hearing at a later date. Hurt has been released on GPS monitoring.

Kevin Jones, Jr. is still at large. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Kevin Jones, Jr., please contact Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS (8477).

According to court documents and information presented in open court, beginning on or before March 2, 2022, Williams, Doss, Jones, and others conspired together to steal over 200 firearms from the Indianapolis terminal of an interstate shipping company. Williams and other participants in the conspiracy were employees of the shipping company. These insiders identified shipments of firearms at the terminal, stole firearms from the shipments, and arranged to sell the stolen firearms. Members of the conspiracy also kept some of the stolen firearms for their own personal use.

Doss and Jones purchased stolen firearms from other members of the conspiracy. Doss and Jones sold some of the stolen firearms to other individuals. Doss and Jones are prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law because they are previously convicted felons.

On April 19, 2023, as part of this investigation, law enforcement officers with the ATF and IMPD executed a search warrant at Hurts’ residence and seized two stolen firearms. Hurts was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession of stolen firearms.

To date, law enforcement officers have recovered approximately 33 stolen firearms as a part of this ongoing investigation. If you have any information regarding the theft, sale, or location of any of the stolen firearms, please contact Crime Stoppers. If you believe you are in possession of or have purchased one or more of the stolen firearms and were not aware they were stolen, please reach out to Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS (8477).

If convicted of the conspiracy charge, each of the defendants face up to 5 years in federal prison. Each of the defendants also faces up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm or possession of stolen firearms. A federal district court judge will determine any actual sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Randal Taylor, Chief of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division made the announcement.

“Thefts of firearms from interstate shipping are a significant source of the guns that drive the bloodshed in our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Myers. “This investigation and prosecution demonstrate that our office is determined to work with ATF and IMPD to get illegal guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals and to hold gun traffickers accountable. We urge the public to join us in this effort, and to contact the ATF and IMPD with any information relevant to this ongoing investigation.”

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Pamela S. Domash and Brad P. Shepard, who are prosecuting this case.

This case was brought as part of the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force (ICGTF). ICGTF is a partnership of law enforcement officers and analysts from several central Indiana law enforcement agencies in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan, Johnson, and Shelby counties. In cooperation with state, local, and federal partners, ICGTF collaborates to address violent crime through a comprehensive strategy including innovative approaches to locating suspects and evidence related to violent crimes and illegal possession of firearms.

An indictment or criminal complaint are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Indianapolis- A federal grand jury in Evansville, Indiana, returned a single-count indictment charging Billie Davis, 56, with committing a hate crime for her racially motivated attack on a woman of Chinese descent.

The indictment returned by a federal grand jury alleges that on Jan. 11, Davis willfully caused bodily injury to the victim and attempted to do so through the use of a knife, because of the victim’s race and national origin. The indictment also alleges that the offense included an attempt to kill the victim.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers made the announcement. 

The FBI Indianapolis Field Office and Bloomington Resident Agency investigated the case, with assistance from the Bloomington Police Department. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter A. Blackett for the Southern District of Indiana and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

INDIANAPOLIS- Jennifer L. Adams, 38, of Whitestown, has been sentenced to 3 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to tampering with consumer products.

According to court documents, from October 1, 2018, to February 18, 2020, Jennifer Adams repeatedly tampered with vials of injectable pain medications, including fentanyl, morphine, hydromorphone, and ketamine, while employed as a registered nurse in the emergency department at Franciscan Health in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

Using an automated medication dispensing machine, Adams gained access to the medications without authorization and used them herself. To conceal her scheme, she refilled the vials of medicine with saline solution and super glued the lids back on. Adams used the saline solution on thirty to forty unknowing patients who had been admitted to the emergency department and were in need of pain relief. The investigation found that Adams tampered with between two and seven vials of medicine during each shift that she worked.

“Emergency room patients depend on healthcare providers to give them the medicines they need. This defendant abused her position of trust to steal powerful prescription pain medications and give patients saline instead,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Substance use disorders are serious diseases impacting everyone, including nurses, and medically approved treatment is critical to saving lives and careers. That’s why my office worked with the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division to secure a settlement agreement to ensure that Hoosier nurses can have access to medication assisted treatment while participating in the Indiana State Nursing Assistance Program. I encourage all providers struggling with substance abuse to seek help, because stealing medications from patients is a serious crime that carries serious consequences.”

“Health care professionals who take needed medications from patients not only harm patients but also put at risk the trust that U.S. consumers have in those who provide their medical care,” said Special Agent in Charge Ronne Malham, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Chicago Field Office. “We will continue to investigate and bring to justice health care professionals who tamper with patients’ medications.”

“Most health care workers are heroes and work very hard to save lives, but when one person decides to abuse this power, patients suffer tremendously,” Attorney General Rokita said. “This is unacceptable. We should be able to trust our doctors and nurses and not have to worry about tampered medication. I applaud the work of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for seeking justice for Hoosiers.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations and the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James P. Hanlon. Judge Hanlon also ordered that Adams be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following her release from federal prison and pay a $1,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Matthew B. Miller, who prosecuted this case.

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INDIANAPOLIS- Jasmine Marshall, 41, of Indianapolis, Indiana, formerly known as Wesley Marshall, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material.

According to court documents, in 2011, Marshall was convicted of possession of child sexual abuse material in Hamilton County and was sentenced to 3 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections. In 2014, Marshall was again convicted of possession of child sexual abuse material and sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Marshall has been a registered sex offender since December of 2011.

On, October 29, 2021, Marshall was released from federal prison to lifetime supervision. On August 25, 2022, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Task Force Officers assisted Marion County Probation officers, State Parole Agents, and Federal Probation Agents in a search of apartments of sex offenders living in Indianapolis. At the time of the search, Marshall was living in a halfway house.

During a search of Marshall’s apartment, agents located a Motorola cell phone hidden inside a bag on the floor of a closet. At the time of this search, Marshall was prohibited from owning a computer or internet-enabled device that did not comply with the U.S. Parole & Probation Office’s Computer Restriction and Monitoring Program.

When questioned by agents, Marshall admitted using the cell phone to view and download child sexual abuse material. Specifically, Marshall described a hidden folder on the phone that was only accessible by her fingerprint. The folder contained pictures of the sexual abuse of children as young as nine-years-old.

Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office, and Randall Taylor, Chief of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department made the announcement.

“Undeterred by two prior prison sentences, this defendant persisted in seeking out these vile images of child sexual abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Myers. “Pedophiles traffic in child sexual abuse materials online because gratifying their sexual interest in children is more important to them then the safety or dignity of survivors. Circulation of abuse images exacerbates the trauma already inflicted on child victims and is deserving of significant punishment. The sentence imposed today demonstrates the commitment of our Office, the FBI, and IMPD, to make our children safer by ensuring that these dangerous offenders are in prison where they belong.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James R. Sweeney. Judge Sweeney also ordered that Marshall be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for life following her release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Eakman, who prosecuted this case.

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

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INDIANAPOLIS- Justin Herrington, 32, of Whitaker, Indiana, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material.

According to court documents, in 2012, Herrington sexually abused Minor Victim 1, a 5-year-old child in his care, custody, or control, in Morgan County, Indiana. Herrington’s abuse of the child was discovered in 2012 and he was arrested and charged in state court. He was convicted of child molestation in 2014 and spent 446 days in prison before being released to serve the remainder of his sentence on probation. Herrington was also ordered to register as a sex offender against children for the remainder of his life.

After his release from prison, Herrington began distributing, receiving, and possessing child sex abuse material—including a previously unknown image he produced of Minor Victim 1 engaged in sexually explicit conduct in approximately 2012, when he was sexually abusing the child.

On March 6, 2019, law enforcement officials received a report from a drugstore employee who believed that Herrington had submitted images of child sexual abuse to the store for photo processing. Law enforcement officers arrested Herrington later that day when he arrived at the store to pick up the images. Further investigation of Herrington’s digital devices uncovered numerous images and videos of child sexual abuse material of prepubescent children under the age of 12, including the image of Minor Victim 1. Many of the images, messages, and search terms located on Herrington’s devices demonstrate a sexual obsession with children in diapers.

Forensic investigation of all of Herrington’s digital devices proved that he belonged to a Russian-based website known by law enforcement for spreading child sexual abuse material. The investigation also revealed that Herrington was in the process of grooming a 13-year-old girl via Chat Hour and Snapchat. Online, Herrington claimed to be an 18-year-old and nearly enticed the girl to send him sexually explicit images of herself and meeting him in person.

At the time of his arrest, Herrington was in a relationship with an individual that had a 5-year-old child, in violation of the terms of his release for child molestation. Information on Herrington’s devices revealed that he attempted to get jobs at local daycares and as a babysitter, and even responded to a Craigslist advertisement seeking a babysitter for a 4-year-old.

On or about August 6, 2019, Herington was charged with federal offenses, and ordered detained pending trial. In August 2021, while in federal custody, Herrington used detention facility mail to send sexually suggestive depictions of children wearing diapers, including Minor Victim 1, that were produced to his attorneys during his state prosecution to at least 19 other inmates around the country.

Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, John Richards, Chief of Martinsville Police Department, Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office, and Doug Carter, Indiana State Police Superintendent made the announcement.

“For years, this insatiable child sex predator demonstrated utter disregard for the safety and dignity of children to satisfy his own sick lusts,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “It is especially chilling that he was grooming an additional victim online and repeatedly sought to work in daycares and as a babysitter. The sentence imposed today demonstrates that a civilized society will simply not tolerate these heinous crimes against our children. I commend the Martinsville Police Department, Indiana State Police, and the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for working together to remove this dangerous pedophile from our community.”

Martinsville Police Department, Indiana State Police, the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and FBI investigated the case. The Morgan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office prosecuted the related state cases. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James R. Sweeney. Judge Sweeney also ordered that Herrington be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for life following his release from federal prison. Herrington must continue to register as sex offender where he lives, works, and goes to school as required by law and has been ordered to pay restitution to Minor Victim 1.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, who prosecuted this case.

This investigation was conducted by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies led by the Indiana State Police. The Task Force is dedicated to investigating and prosecuting crimes involving the technology-facilitated sexual exploitation of children and the trafficking of child sexual abuse material. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators evaluate thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse. In fiscal year 2019, the most recent year for which data is available, the Southern District of Indiana was second out of the 94 federal districts in the country for the number of child sexual exploitation cases prosecuted.

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

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INDIANAPOLIS- Zaiveon Perry, 24, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of a machine gun.

According to court documents, in April of 2021, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were contacted by Indiana State Police regarding Zaiveon Perry’s drug and firearm dealing in Indianapolis, Indiana and Chicago, Illinois. Agents discovered Perry’s social media accounts, where he was publicly advertising fully automatic Glocks for sale.

On July 28, 2021, ATF Special Agents and ISP Troopers observed Perry sell a Glock pistol with a “Glock switch” conversion device attached for $3,250.00. The transaction took place in Perry’s black BMW. On January 6, 2022, investigators arrested Perry. Perry admitted to selling at least seven Glock firearms with switches attached.

Machinegun conversion devices sometimes called “Glock switches” or “auto-sears” are devices that convert ordinary semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic machine guns. Machinegun conversion devices are themselves considered machine guns under federal law, even when not installed, and are illegal to possess or sell without a special license.

Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division, and Doug Carter, Superintendent of Indiana State Police made the announcement.

“Criminals who put illegal machine guns onto our streets add fuel to the fire of gun violence already devastating far too many of our families,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Possession and sale of these extremely dangerous devices is a serious crime which can result in years in federal prison. Our office will continue to work with the ATF, ISP, and all our partners in law enforcement to get illegal machine guns out of our communities and hold gun traffickers accountable.”

“Unfortunately, we are seeing more of these deadly conversion devices showing up on the streets,” stated Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “U.S. law has long recognized that automatic weapons pose a special risk to public safety, both through the sheer volume of bullets fired and the likelihood that innocent bystanders will be injured or killed. ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who use and distribute machine gun conversion devices.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Indiana State Police investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James P. Hanlon. Judge Hanlon also ordered that Perry be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from prison and be subject to a $500 fine.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Peter A. Blackett, who prosecuted this case.

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

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EVANSVILLE- Jeremy Novak, 41, of Illinois and Cesar Herrera, 37, of California, have been charged in a federal criminal complaint with distribution of methamphetamine in Posey County following a months’ long investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies.

According to court documents, in February of 2023, the Posey County Drug Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration initiated an investigation into Jeremy Novak and Cesar Herrera’s methamphetamine trafficking activities. Herrera served as the supplier, obtaining the methamphetamine from California, which Novak then distributed in and around Posey County.

On three separate occasions between February 27, 2023, and March 10, 2023, investigators observed Novak sell four pounds of crystal methamphetamine to another individual for a total of $19,000. The drug deals occurred in a parked vehicle at a Dollar General Store in Poseyville, Indiana.

On March 10, 2023, members of the DEA, Posey County Drug Task Force, Posey County Sheriff’s Office, Evansville Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force, and Indiana State Police took Novak and Herrera into custody. During a search of the vehicle Novak used for dealing, officers found $11,100 and three vacuum sealed bags containing a total of over three pounds of methamphetamine.

If convicted on all counts, both Novak and Herrera face up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the actual sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The driver of the vehicle, Christina Alumbaugh, was also arrested and charged in Posey County Circuit Court with Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Level 2 Felony. Alumbaugh is being prosecuted by the Posey County Prosecutor’s Office and faces 10 to 30 years in state prison.

Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Indianapolis Field Office, Tom Latham, Posey County Sheriff, Thomas E. Clowers, Prosecuting Attorney for the Posey County Prosecutor’s Office, Billy Bolin, Chief of Evansville Police Department, and Doug Carter, Indiana State Police Superintendent made the announcement.

The investigation is being led by the DEA, Posey County Drug Task Force, Posey County Sheriff’s Office, the Evansville Police Department, and the Indiana State Police. 

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren M. Wheatley, who is prosecuting this case.

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

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN- United States Attorney Zachary A. Myers is proud to announce the successful completion of the first Human Trafficking Seminar held in the Southern District of Indiana. This two-day, educational event was hosted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana, and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit (HTPU).

The seminar was organized by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence D. Hilton, the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Human Trafficking Coordinator, and the agenda included presentations from the HTPU’s Deputy Director, Matt Grady, National Program Manager, Sean Tepfer, and Trial Attorney Julie Pfluger. Topics covered included proving coercion, documenting a human trafficking crime scene, anticipating and overcoming common defenses, trauma informed interviewing, trial preparation, evidence collection, and prosecuting human trafficking crimes at a federal level.

“Human trafficking is a horrific crime that inflicts lasting trauma on survivors who are often already vulnerable,” said U.S. Attorney Myers. “These complex crimes require prosecutors to work closely with investigators to get traffickers off the streets, while collaborating with agencies and organizations who provide vital resources to support survivors. Human traffickers, especially those who employ force, fraud, or coercion, and who sell minors for sex, should take notice: these crimes one of our top priorities, and convictions will result in lengthy terms in federal prison with no possibility of parole. Survivors, especially those who are still in the grips of traffickers, should know that there are specially trained police, prosecutors, and service providers who support you, believe in you, and will work tirelessly to get you the help you need.”

An example of these collaborative efforts in the Southern District of Indiana can be seen in the recent sentencing of Damion Alexander to fifteen years in federal prison for the sex trafficking of a minor. See release here.

U.S. Attorney Myers encourages the community to be aware of indicators of trafficking and report suspicious activity. Recognizing key indicators is the first step in identifying victims and can help save them from further exploitation.

Indicators of human trafficking can include the following:

• An individual with an inability to produce identification or other documents because they are in a third party’s possession and control.
• An individual who is unable to freely contact friends or family.
• An individual who is coached on what to say to law enforcement or other authority figures.
• An individual who lacks knowledge or awareness as to what happens to the money they earn/are supposed to earn.
• An individual who lacks knowledge or awareness as to how much money they earn.
• An individual who is unable move or travel freely.
• Garnishment of a salary to pay off a fee imposed by their employer.
• Juveniles engaged in commercial sex.
• Frequent visits to the emergency department.

Anyone who has information about a potential human trafficking situation or thinks they or someone they know may be a victim of human trafficking should contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Individuals can also text 233733 or email help@humantraffickinghotline.org.

For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org.

Information on the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

The federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and partners who participated in the Seminar included:

• Allen County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
• Assistant Commonwealth Attorney for Anderson, Spencer and Shelby County, Kentucky
• Boone County Prosecutor’s Office
• Boone County Sheriff’s Office
• Crawfordsville Fire Department
• Cherish Child Advocacy Center. Noblesville, IN
• Child and Parent Services. Elkhart, IN
• Child Advocacy Center. Marion County, IN
• Child Advocates Inc. Indianapolis, IN
• Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office
• Community Health Network of Indiana
• Damien Center. Indianapolis, IN
• Department of Child Services- Hancock County
• Department of Homeland Security- Investigations
• Eskenazi Health COH
• Family Service Association of Indianapolis
• FBI
• Firefly Children & Family Alliance. Indianapolis, IN
• Freedom Network USA
• Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office
• Indiana Attorney General’s Office- Investigations Division
• Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking
• Indiana Legal Services
• Indiana Department of Child Services
• Indiana Department of Workforce Development
• Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
• Indiana Protection of Abused and Trafficked Humans Taskforce
• Indiana State Parole
• Indiana State Police
• Indiana Trafficking Victims Assistance Program
• Indiana Youth Services Association
• Johnson County Human Trafficking Task Force
• Marion County Behavioral Health Court
• Marion County Juvenile Probation
• Marion County Prosecutor's Office
• Marion Superior Court Probation Department
• Moyars Consulting
• Riley Children’s Hospital
• Salvation Army
• Sheridan Police Department
• Stepping Stone Shelter for Women, Inc. Michigan City, IN
• Sylvias Child Advocacy Center. Lebanon, IN
• Tippecanoe County Prosecutor’s Office
• U.S. Attorney’s Office- Northern District of Indiana
• U.S. Marshal Services
• Vigo County Prosecutor's Office
• Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department
• Washington Township School Police Department
• West Lafayette Police Department
• Zionsville Police Department
• Zoey's Place Child Advocate. Greenfield, IN

INDIANAPOLIS- Damion Alexander, 28, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sex trafficking of a minor.

According to court documents, Damion Alexander met a 17-year-old girl online sometime in 2021. After meeting the minor and her adult friend in person, Alexander convinced them both to travel with him and caused them to engage in commercial sex acts that financially benefited him. From at least May 15, 2021, to June 2, 2021, Alexander transported the minor victim back and forth from Fort Wayne to engage in commercial sex in Indianapolis-area hotels on multiple occasions.

Alexander took sexually explicit photos and videos of the minor victim and the adult and used them for online commercial sex advertisements. Cell phone videos obtained during the investigation showed Alexander berating and abusing the minor victim while she was severely impaired.

Alexander corresponded with the commercial sex buyers, set prices, and directed the minor victim as to how long to spend with them and what acts to perform. Commercial sex buyers used CashApp to make payments that were transferred to Alexander’s account. Alexander received and kept thousands of dollars obtained by trafficking the minor victim in commercial sex, assuring her that he was “holding” the money and would give it back to her if she ever needed it.

On June 2, 2021, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers recovered the minor victim at the Sheraton Hotel located at Keystone Crossing in Indianapolis. Alexander was found loitering outside of the victim’s hotel room, and he fled the scene when approached by officers.

“Trafficking vulnerable minors’ bodies for financial gain is a despicable crime that merits significant punishment,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Pimps like this defendant inflict lasting trauma with utter disregard for the safety or dignity of those they exploit. Our office and our law enforcement partners, including the FBI and IMPD, are fully committed to rescuing survivors from sex trafficking and putting pimps in prison. The sentence imposed today should serve as a warning to would-be traffickers: if you sell minors for sex you will spend many years in federal prison.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson. Judge Stinson also ordered that Alexander be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 15 years following his release from federal prison and pay $13,000 in restitution to the victims. Alexander must also register as a sex offender where he lives, works, and goes to school, as required by law.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Kristina M. Korobov and Lawrence D. Hilton, who prosecuted this case.

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

INDIANAPOLIS- Jerry Glenn, 36, of Kokomo, Indiana, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

According to court documents, on July 18, 2021, at approximately 4 in the morning, Kokomo Police Department Officers found Jerry Glenn asleep in the driver seat of a parked vehicle. Officers offered Glenn a ride home. Before placing him in the squad car, officers searched Glenn and recovered 139 grams of methamphetamine in his back pocket. Glenn intended to sell and distribute the methamphetamine.

At the time of his arrest, Glenn had been previously convicted of multiple felonies related to possessing and dealing in methamphetamine and other controlled substances.

Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana and Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Indianapolis Field Office made the announcement.

“Methamphetamine and other controlled substances are killing far too many Hoosiers and have devastating impacts on users, their loved ones, and our communities,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Repeat drug dealers like this defendant must be held accountable for the suffering they cause in search of quick profits. I commend the efforts of the DEA and Kokomo Police Department to make our communities safer by getting meth and meth dealers off our streets.”

DEA and Kokomo Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker. Judge Barker also ordered that Glenn be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years following his release from federal prison and pay a $500.00 fine.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Michelle P. Brady, who prosecuted this case.

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INDIANAPOLIS – A federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment charging George Landy, 52, of Indianapolis, with interference with commerce by robbery, attempted interference with commerce by robbery, carjacking, two counts of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

As charged in the indictment, on October 24, 2022, Landy carjacked a woman outside a Dollar Tree store in Lawrence, Indiana. Landy approached the woman as she got into her car, displayed a firearm in his waistband, and ordered that she move to the passenger seat. Landy drove the woman to a bank and forced her to withdraw $500 from her account. Landy then drove the victim to the IndyGo Transit Center in downtown Indianapolis. Landy left her at the transit center and drove away in the stolen vehicle, with the victim’s money, jewelry, debit card, and driver’s license. The victim immediately called 911 and reported the carjacking.

The next day, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officers (IMPD) located the stolen vehicle near Landy’s residence and observed him open the door using a key. When police approached Landy, he fled on foot and threw a firearm on the ground as he ran. Landy was apprehended, and police recovered the firearm. Landy is charged with illegally possessing the firearm following a felony conviction.

After Landy’s arrest, investigators linked him to two other violent crimes in Indianapolis; an armed robbery at a Family Dollar store on October 16, 2022, and an attempted armed robbery at a McDonald’s on October 23, 2022. Landy was armed with a firearm during both crimes. During the attempted armed robbery at the McDonald’s, Landy fired two shots into the restaurant. No one was injured.

If convicted on all counts, Landy faces up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the actual sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division, Randal Taylor, Chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and Gary Woodruff, Chief of the Lawrence Police Department, made the announcement.

The investigation is being led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and the Lawrence Police Department.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Massa, who is prosecuting this case.

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

INDIANAPOLIS- William Campbell, 32, of Greenfield, Indiana, has been sentenced to 8 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon.

According to court documents, on February 8, 2021, Campbell and another individual broke into a Hancock County residence and stole 25 firearms. Campbell then sold the firearms to another individual. As of today, only 8 of the firearms have been recovered by law enforcement officers.

Campbell is prohibited from lawfully possessing any firearm due to his three previous felony convictions for theft and drug offenses.

Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division made the announcement.

“Trafficking of stolen guns fuels the violence that devastates so many families,” said U.S. Attorney Myers. “Criminals like this defendant are part of the reason why so many firearms end up in the hands of dangerous criminals. The sentence imposed here demonstrates that those who violate our homes and endanger our neighbors will be held accountable.”

ATF investigated this case with valuable assistance provided by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Chief Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Campbell be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Abhi Kambli, how prosecuted this case.

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INDIANAPOLIS- A federal grand jury indicted Douglas Gibson, 38, of Lebanon, Indiana, on two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of sexual exploitation of minor by a registered sex offender, one count of distribution of child sexual abuse material, and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material.

According to court documents, on August 3, 2021, the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a cyber tip from Kik Messenger, an instant messaging app, alerting investigators to an account that had been sharing child sexual abuse images. Investigators traced the Google email address associated with the account back to Douglas Gibson. A search of Gibson’s residence uncovered numerous files containing visual depictions of children as young as seven years old, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Further investigation found that Gibson allegedly secretly recorded a prepubescent child by hiding video cameras in the air vent of a bathroom, loft, and bedroom of the child’s residence. Gibson then distributed images and files of the victim in various states of undress to other individuals. As alleged in the indictment, Gibson was required to register under Indiana law at the time he secretly recorded the child and distributed the files.

If convicted on all counts, Gibson faces up to 135 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the actual sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Randal Taylor, Chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office, and Boone County Sheriff Tony Harris made the announcement.

This investigation is being led by the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI, and the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, as part of Indiana’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

Indiana’s ICAC Task Force is a partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies led by the Indiana State Police. The Task Force is dedicated to investigating and prosecuting crimes involving the technology-facilitated sexual exploitation of children and the trafficking of child sexual abuse material. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators evaluate many thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse.

In fiscal year 2019, the most recent year for which data is available, the Southern District of Indiana was second out of the 94 federal districts in the country for the number of child sexual exploitation cases prosecuted.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence D. Hilton, who is prosecuting this case.

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

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

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EVANSVILLE- Darion Cartwright, 33, of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to armed robbery and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

According to court documents, on July 8, 2019, Cartwright entered the Circle K Kangaroo Express located on South Kentucky Avenue in Evansville, Indiana and robbed an employee at gunpoint. After brandishing a .22 caliber revolver and threatening the employee, Cartwright walked away with approximately $365. Evansville Police Department (EPD) Officers were alerted to the robbery and quickly asked for assistance from the public by providing security camera images of Cartwright’s unique arm tattoos.

Later that same evening, EPD officers were dispatched to the Arbors at Eastland Apartment Complex on a report of intimidation. The victim told officers that Cartwright forced her to drive him to an Enterprise Car Rental and rent a vehicle for him. Cartwright threatened the victim, telling her that “bad things were going to happen” if she did not comply with his demands. The victim used her information to pay for a rental Dodge Journey for Cartwright to use.

Officers obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and for Cartwright’s apartment unit. After a short stand-off with a SWAT team, Cartwright exited the apartment and was taken into custody. During a search of the Dodge Journey, officers recovered a black duffle bag that contained synthetic marijuana, 54.1 grams of methamphetamine, the same .22 caliber revolver used in the Circle K robbery, and $431 in cash.

Prior to his arrest, Cartwright was convicted of felony Armed Robbery and felony Robbery in Vanderburgh County. These previous felony convictions prohibit Cartwright from lawfully possessing a firearm.  

United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A Myers and Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office made the announcement.

“This repeat, armed robber has been a menace to the people of Vanderburgh County,” said U.S. Attorney Myers. “His violent crimes have no place in our communities, and we are safer with him behind federal prison bars. I commend the bravery of the victim who sought assistance from law enforcement officers, and the work of the FBI and Evansville Police Department to ensure he is held responsible for his actions.”

“The success of this case highlights the hard work of our agents and law enforcement partners to identify and remove a violent individual such as this from our streets and ensure residents feel safe in their community,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “We remain committed to holding those who engage in criminal activity accountable for their crimes.”

The FBI investigated this case with valuable assistance provided by the Evansville Police Department. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Richard L. Young. Judge Young also ordered that Cartwright be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years following his release from federal prison. Cartwright must also pay $365 in restitution to Circle K.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Matthew B. Miller, who prosecuted this case.

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

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INDIANAPOLIS- Tyler Earl Ja Waun Cabell, 25, of Indianapolis, Indiana was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. 

According to court documents, on June 5, 2021, state and federal law enforcement officers were conducting narcotics searches at the Indianapolis International Airport, when they recovered Tyler Cabell’s baggage. Officers searched a multi-colored bag with Cabell’s name on the tag and found seven grams of marijuana. Cabell’s second bag, a blue roller, contained four vacuum sealed plastic bags containing approximately 8 pounds of pure methamphetamine, and ten vacuum sealed bags containing nearly 11 pounds of marijuana. The plastic bags were concealed inside of towels and clothes.

During an interview with law enforcement officers, Cabell admitted that he met someone in California who offered him $7,000 to transport the bag of methamphetamine and marijuana to Indianapolis. Cabell claimed he did not know how he would get paid or for whom he was transporting the drugs.

“This defendant transported methamphetamine into our community with no regard for the people and families harmed by this dangerous drug,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Drug traffickers like this defendant further the scourge of substance abuse disorder and must be held accountable. I commend the work of HSI, ISP, and the Plainfield Police Department in intercepting these illicit drugs and getting this defendant off our streets.”

“This sentence is a great example of what can be accomplished when federal, state and local law enforcement agencies work in collaboration to stop the trafficking of narcotics,” said R. Sean Fitzgerald, special agent in charge for HSI Chicago. “We will continue our efforts to arrest individuals like Cabell to keep our communities safe from the harmful effects of illicit drugs.”

“We value our partnership with Homeland Security Investigations and are proud of the work they are doing to protect our communities from these dangerous drugs,” said Kyle Prewitt, Chief of Police for the Plainfield Police Department.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case. Valuable assistance was provided by Indiana State Police and the Plainfield Police Department. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker. Judge Barker also ordered that Cabell be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison, and pay a $1,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney William L. McCoskey, who prosecuted this case.

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