Indictments Returned in Federal Court

HAMMOND, IN—The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following:

Anthony Williams, 39, of Gary, Indiana, was charged in an indictment with two counts of distribution of crack cocaine and one count of possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation GRIT Task Force. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Juan Martinez-Rodriguez, 27, of Remington, Indiana, was charged in an indictment with misuse of a Social Security number and making false statements as to being a lawful permanent 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 has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gary Bell.

Elbert D. Nicholson, 22, of Gary, Indiana, was charged in an indictment with three counts of fraudulent purchase of firearms, being a drug user illegally in possession of a firearm, and receiving firearms while under Information for a felony. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives HIDTA Task Force. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Padilla.

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.