Week in Review—Hammond

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

Pleas:

• Alfonso Salinas, 52, of Hammond, Indiana, pled guilty before Chief Judge Philip Simon to the felony offenses of bribery involving federal programs and income tax evasion. Sentencing has been set for August 13, 2013. These charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gary Bell.
• Joshua Robinson, 22, of Lafayette, Indiana, pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Paul Cherry to the felony offense of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Magistrate Cherry 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Tippecanoe County Police Department; and the Lafayette Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Padilla.
• Che Williams, 21, of Gary, Indiana, pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Andrew Rodovich to the felony offense of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Magistrate Rodovich 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Indiana University Northwest Police; and the Gary Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean Lanter.
• Jesus Vasquez, 35, of Cicero, Illinois, pled guilty before District Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to the felony offense of distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine. Sentencing has been set for July 24, 2013. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

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:

• Jennifer Guelinas, 55, of Valparaiso, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior District Judge James Moody to four years of probation, to include 12 months of detention, and restitution of $1,122,540 to Ameriprise Financial Services after pleading guilty to the felony offense of wire fraud. This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jill Koster.
• Noe Diaz, 33, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by Senior District Judge James Moody to 121 months’ imprisonment and five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 50 grams or more 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.
• Cesar Diaz, 39, of Calumet City, Illinois, was sentenced by Senior District Judge James Moody to 30 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of distribution of cocaine. This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Kolar.
• Marquis Young, 22, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior District Judge James Moody to 84 months’ imprisonment and two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. 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 Jennifer Chang-Adiga.