Week in Review – Hammond

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

Marlone Ramone Bell, 35, of Chicago, Illinois, was charged in an indictment with four counts of distribution of heroin. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration HIDTA Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

Mark Alan Smith, 41, of Valparaiso, Indiana, was charged in a felony complaint with possession of child pornography. 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 Jill Koster.

Cecil Newell, Jr., 28, of Gary, Indiana, pled guilty before Senior Judge James Moody to count one of an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean Lanter.

Sarah Harris, 31, of Schererville, Indiana, pled guilty before Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to counts one and two of a felony Information charging her with making false statements on a loan application, and identity theft. Sentencing has been set for 9/26/11. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gary Bell.

James Tackett, 52, of Gary, Indiana, pled guilty before Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to count one of an indictment charging him with possession with the intent to distribute 100 or more marijuana plants. Sentencing has been set for 9/28/11. 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 Jacqueline Jacobs.

Enrique Gonzalez, of Hammond, Indiana, was charged in a criminal complaint with possessing a firearm as a felon. On June 27, 2011, Gonzalez was arrested following a traffic stop by the Hammond Police Department. A stolen firearm was recovered from Gonzalez’s vehicle. Gonzalez has a prior felony conviction for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Gonzalelz remains detained in federal custody. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives HIDTA Task Force and the Hammond Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean Lanter.

Glenn Reese, 40, of Gary, Indiana, pled guilty before Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to count one of an indictment charging him with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana plants. Sentencing has been set for 10/5/11. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation GRIT Task Force and the Gary Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jacqueline Jacobs.

Jerome Smith, 58, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon to 10 months’ imprisonment and two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to count one of an indictment charging him with theft of government property (unemployment benefits). Smith was ordered to pay $14,049.00 in restitution. This charge was filed as the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of the Inspector General. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Ratcliffe.

Michael Haywood, 50, of Chicago, Illinois, pled guilty before Senior Judge James Moody to counts one and six of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to defraud the United States, and identity theft in relation to a violation of Social Security fraud. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Toi Houston.

Michael Cokes, Jr., 21, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by to one year probation and restitution of $100 after pleading guilty to count one of an indictment charging him with passing counterfeit $100 Federal Reserve Notes. This case was the result of an investigation by the United States Secret Service. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randall Stewart.

William Rostin, 45, most recently of Crown Point, Indiana, had his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Cherry following being charged in a federal criminal complaint with the July 8, 2011 robbery of Fifth Third Bank located inside Strack & Van Til grocery store on Sibley Street, Hammond, Indiana, and the July 11, 2011, robbery of First Financial Bank located inside Strack & Van Til grocery store on Cline Avenue, Highland, Indiana. In January 2011, Rostin was released from the Indiana Department of Corrections following a state felony conviction for robbery. Rostin remains detained in federal custody pending a detention hearing. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hammond Police Department, the Highland Police Department, and law enforcement authorities in Illinois. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean Lanter.

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.