Week in Review—South Bend

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

Plea:

Before District Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr.: Quintin T. Ferguson, 24, of Mishawaka, Indiana, pled guilty to the felony offense of possessing heroin with intent to distribute. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Sentencing has been set for June 25, 2014. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

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.

Dispositions:

Before District Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr.: Quintien Walker, 22, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 22 months’ imprisonment with two years’ supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of making a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm. According to documents filed in this case, in July 213, Walker provided a false written statement in obtaining a firearm. This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

Before District Judge Jon E. DeGuilio: Alicia Green, 28, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment with two years’ supervised release and ordered to pay $99,501.94 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of defrauding the United States government. According to documents filed in this case, Walker participated with others in a false tax return preparation and filing scheme in South Bend, Indiana. Individuals prepared and submitted Forms 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns, with false or inflated Forms W-2 to obtain false tax refunds. This scheme resulted in the submission of approximately 1,189 false tax refunds for tax years 2008, 2009, and 2010. Beginning in 2009, Walker opened and controlled bank accounts that received tax refunds from some of these false tax returns and she shared in the proceeds generated by these false tax returns. This case was the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.