Week in Review—South Bend

SOUTH BEND, IN—The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in federal court:

Pleas:

John Carlisle, 49, of New Haven, Indiana, pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Christopher A. Nuechterlein to the felony offense of making false statements and reports regarding mortgage loans and aiding and abetting in such conduct. Carlisle also admitted to the indictment’s forfeiture allegation. Magistrate Nuechterlein is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea. Parties have 10 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Sentencing has been set for October 17, 2013, at 3:30 p.m. before Judge Jon E. DeGuilio. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

Carmen Leon, 41, of Edinburg, Texas, pled guilty before District Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. to the felony offense of conspiracy to distribute narcotics and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Carmen Leon also admitted to the indictment’s forfeiture allegation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency. Sentencing has been set for December 9, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Grimmer.

Cesar Leon, 22, of Edinburg, Texas, pled guilty before District Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. to the felony offense of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and structuring transactions to evade bank reporting requirements. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency. Sentencing has been set for December 9, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Robert L Miller, Jr. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Grimmer.

If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Disposition:

Joseph Brownlee, 49, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by District Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. to 60 months’ imprisonment and two years’ supervised release after being found guilty of the felony offense of being a felon in possession of firearm. According to documents filed for the case, Brownlee attempted to discard a Smith & Wesson handgun during a police pursuit. Brownlee was convicted of murder in Cook County, Illinois, in 1983. The defendant also has prior felony convictions for intimidation and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. As part of the sentence, the Smith & Wesson handgun was also forfeited to the United States. This case was the result of an investigation by the South Bend Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.