Activity in Federal Court – Hammond

HAMMOND, IN—The United States Attorney's Office announced the following activity in federal court:

Quincy Earl Brown, 28, of Blue Island, Illinois, was sentenced by Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to 37 months’ imprisonment and two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to count one of an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of firearm. Brown was previously convicted of aggravated battery in 2006. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Gary Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Kolar.

Eddie L. McKee, 42, of Ford Heights, Illinois, was sentenced by Senior Judge Rudy Lozano to 144 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to counts one and two of an information charging him with making false statements regarding a material fact in the purchase of a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Kolar.

Armon E. Ballard, 27, of Johnson Street, Gary, Indiana, pled guilty before Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to count one of an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Ballard was previously convicted of delivery of a controlled substance - cocaine in 2001, and possession of THC in 2005. 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 Nicholas Padilla.

Shawn Donte Hopkins, 31, of Tennessee Street, Gary, Indiana , pled guilty before Senior Judge Rudy Lozano to count one of an indictment charging him with drug trafficking - 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 Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Jerry Host, 39, of East 19th Place, Gary, Indiana, pled guilty before Chief Judge Philip Simon to count one of an indictment charging him with possession with the intent to distribute 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 David Nozick.

Rigoberto Rivas, 38, of Point East, Lafayette, Indiana, pled guilty before Senior Judge Rudy Lozano to count one of an indictment charging with drug trafficking. 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 Jacqueline Jacobs.

Juan Perez-Rogelio, 23, of Chicago, Illinois pled guilty before Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to count two of an indictment charging him with illegal entry - concealment of facts. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Homeland Security Investigations. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Kolar.

Lauro Loeza-Juarez, 26, of Point East, Lafayette, Indiana, pled guilty before Senior Judge Rudy Lozano to count three of an indictment charging him with drug trafficking. 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 Jacqueline Jacobs.

Omar Luna Valencia, 33, a citizen of Mexico, pled guilty before Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to count one of an indictment charging him with re-entry of a deported alien. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Homeland Security Investigations. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randall Stewart.

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.