Week in Review—Fort Wayne

FORT WAYNE, IN—The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity:

Pleas:

• Maritza Castaneda, 30, of Colton, California, pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Roger Cosbey to the felony offense of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana State Police, the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Allen County Police Department, the Allen County Drug Task Force, and the New Haven Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Geller and Lesley Miller Lowery.
• William Booker, 41, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Roger Cosbey to the felony offense of making false statements in the purchase of a firearm in the case U.S. v Hall et al. 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 Lovita Morris King.
• Joshua S. Stephens, 35, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Roger Cosbey to the felony offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Stephens has a prior felony conviction for operating while under the influence in 2003. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana State Police, the Allen County Police Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department. The Fort Wayne Police Department Vice and Narcotics Division and the Allen County Drug Task Force assisted with the investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller Lowery. Hammond South Bend Fort Wayne

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.