Week in Review – Hammond

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

Cachun Combs, 33, of Gary, Indiana, pled guilty before Senior Judge James Moody to count one of an indictment charging him with possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine in the case U.S. v Weaver et al. 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.

Ebb Greenwood, 59, of Gary, Indiana, pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Christopher Neuchterlein to counts one and two of a superseding indictment charging him with health care billing fraud in connection with the delivery of and payment for health care benefits and services for Human Services Transport Provider. Human Services Transport Provider Inc. also entered a guilty plea to count one of the same indictment charging health care fraud. Sentencing has been set for 9/15/11. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

Jesse Shackleford, 50, of Lafayette, Indiana, pled guilty before Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to count one of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana. Sentencing has been set for 8/24/11. 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 Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Timothy Smith, 44, of Lafayette, Indiana, was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon to two years’ probation with six months of home detention and restitution of $20,246.00 after pleading guilty to count one of an indictment charging him with theft of government property. This case was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jill Koster.

Robert Alvelo, Jr., 29, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon to 33 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to count one of an Information charging him with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. This case was the result of an investigation by Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jacqueline Jacobs.

Andre McQuay, Jr., 23, of 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. Sentencing has been set for 9/13/11. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Padilla.

Vernon Thomas, 47, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior Judge James Moody to 78 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to counts two and five of an indictment charging him with assault of federal officials; a U.S. Marshal and a U.S. Probation Officer. This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Philip Benson.

Brittany Becker, 24, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior Judge James Moody to 21 months’ imprisonment and two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to count one of an indictment charging her with making false statements in connection with the purchase of a firearm. 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 Thomas Ratcliffe.

Mario Esposito, 45, of, pled guilty before Chief Judge Philip Simon to count one of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute, and distribute cocaine in the case U.S. v DeLeon et al. Sentencing has been set for 9/22/11. 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 Joshua Kolar.

Paris Straughter, 20, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon to 30 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to counts one and two of an indictment charging him with bank fraud. Straughter was also ordered to pay $85,611.74 in restitution. 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.

Alfredo Delgado, 31, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by Senior Judge James Moody to 63 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to count one of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration HIDTA Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

Enrique Barraza, 33, of Cicero, Illinois, was sentenced by Senior Judge James Moody to 46 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to count one of an indictment charging him with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Kolar.

Lester Muhammad, 34, of University Park, Illinois, was sentenced by Senior Judge James Moody to 120 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to count one of an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm. 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.

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.