Week in Review—South Bend

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

Pleas:

• Ricky Hemphill, 20, and Timothy Whitfield, 21, of South Bend, Indiana, defendants in the case U.S. v Shaw et al., pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Christopher Nuechterlein to the felony offense of racketeering. Whitfield also pled guilty to brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Magistrate Nuechterlein is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty pleas. Parties have 10 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. Sentencing for both has been set for August 8, 2013. These charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the South Bend Police Department. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.
• Omar Lewis, 34, of Michigan City, Indiana, pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Christopher Nuechterlein to the felony offense of possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine. 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. Sentencing has been set for July 26, 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 Frank Schaffer.

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.