Activity in Federal Court – Hammond

HAMMOND, IN—The United States Attorney's Office announced several events taking place in the District Court, Hammond, Indiana:

Lamar D. Washington, 19, of the 1500 block of Ellsworth Street, Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior Judge Rudy Lozano to 18 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to count one of a superseding indictment charging him with bank robbery of Centier Bank in Highland, Indiana on November 8, 2008 in the case U.S. v. Washington et al. This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation GRIT Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Ratcliffe.

Juana Mariana Robles, 50, of the 500 block of Briar Crossing, Dyer, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior Judge Rudy Lozano to 36 months' imprisonment and one year of supervised release after pleading guilty to count eleven of an indictment charging her with use of a telephone in furtherance of a federal narcotics violation in the case U.S. v. Robles et al. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by Federal Bureau of Investigation GRIT Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Hammond Police Department; the Indiana State Police Department; the Muncie, Indiana Drug Task Force; and the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Nozick and Jacqueline Jacobs.

Ernest Williams, 35, of the 6700 block of Madison Street, Merrillville, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior Judge Rudy Lozano to 41 months' imprisonment and four years of supervised release after pleading guilty to count eight of an indictment charging him with distributing five (5) grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as “crack” cocaine in the case U.S. v. Kevin Carter et al. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

Amanda Cooper, 30, of the 1100 block of S 625 W, Hebron, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior Judge Rudy Lozano to 20 months' imprisonment and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to an information charging her with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

Jesse Flores, 26, of the 8000 block of Jefferson Avenue, Munster, Indiana, pled guilty before Senior Judge Rudy Lozano to count one of an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Flores was previously convicted of carrying a handgun without a license in 2008. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives HIDTA Task Force. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

Frederick Evans, 27, of the 3700 block of Drummond Street, East Chicago, Indiana, pled guilty before Chief Judge Philip Simon to count one of an indictment charging him with distribution of crack cocaine. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation GRIT Task Force. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean Lanter.

Jesus Sotelo-Diaz, 34, of Merrillville, Indiana, pled guilty before Chief Judge Philip Simon to count one of an indictment charging him with possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Virginia Shimer, 49, of the 2500 block of Montgomery Street, Lake Station, Indiana, pled guilty before Chief Judge Philip Simon to count one of an indictment charging her with filing a false individual tax return. Shimer agreed that the loss to the United States government was $77, 431.85. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Susan Collins.