Activity in Federal Court – Hammond

Scott Adkins, 67, of Gary, Indiana, was charged by an indictment returned today with receipt of child pornography involving the use of an actual minor under the age of eighteen (18) engaging in sexually explicit conduct and visual depiction is of such conduct. This case was investigated by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Olivia Ynfante, 27, of Marana, Arizona was sentenced on 1/14/10, by Senior Judge Rudy Lozano to 70 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Porter County Sheriff’s Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

Koni Burgess, 51, of Wheatfield, Indiana, was sentenced on 1/15/10, by Senior Judge Rudy Lozano to 130 months imprisonment and 4 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Porter County Sheriff’s Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

William Sandifer, 19, of Gary, Indiana, plead guilty on 1/15/10, before Senior Judge Rudy Lozano to bank robbery of Centier Bank located in Highland, Indiana in the case US v Lamar Washington et al. Sentencing has been set for March 31, 2010. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation/GRIT Task Force, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Ratcliffe.

Antonio Trevino, 26, of Hobart, Indiana plead guilty on 1/15/10, before Judge Philip Simon to possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. Sentencing has been set for April 13, 2010. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Kolar.

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

The specific sentence in each case to be imposed upon conviction will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.