Week in Review—South Bend

SOUTH BEND, IN—The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that:

Pleas:

• Brett Keiling, 48, of Granger, Indiana, pled guilty before District Judge Robert Miller, Jr. to the felony offense of threatening to assault an employee of the United States with the intent to interfere with the performance of official duties. Sentencing has been set for April 15, 2013. These charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Brook.
• Jose Nevarez, 36, of South Bend, Indiana, pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Christopher Nuechterlein to the felony offense of structuring transactions to evade reporting requirements. Magistrate Nuechterlein 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. These charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Grimmer.

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:

• Christopher Peter, 35, of Mishawaka, Indiana, was sentenced by District Judge Jon DeGuilio to 60 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to documents filed by the government in this case, Peter admitted that he grew marijuana in the garage at his residence located in Mishawaka, Indiana. He had a loaded Hi-Point 9mm semi-automatic pistol that was hidden in the ceiling of the basement which he could easily access. He possessed this firearm in furtherance of possessing and manufacturing marijuana. This case was the result of an investigation by the by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms ,and Explosives and the Indiana State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Maciejczyk.