HAMMOND, IN—United States Attorney David Capp announced today that a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Robert Battle, age 42, of East Chicago, Indiana with knowingly and intentionally killing Reimundo Camarillo, Jr. on October 12, 2015, while engaged in a narcotics conspiracy.

The indictment alleges that beginning in approximately 2006 and continuing to October 12, 2015, Battle, along with unnamed others, conspired to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. The indictment alleges Battle used a firearm to kill Reimundo Camarillo, Jr., during and in relation to the conspiracy. The indictment also alleges Battle possessed with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana. Battle had previously been indicted on October 22, 2015 for the marijuana offense after he was stopped on I-94 in Porter County. Approximately 73 grams of marijuana and $100,700 in U.S. currency were seized during that stop. Today’s indictment adds the cocaine and murder charges, and seeks forfeiture of that currency.

U.S. Attorney Capp advised that the decision to charge the case federally was a joint decision between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. A key factor in the indictment decision was that the alleged events in the drug conspiracy span multiple jurisdictions and cross state lines.

Since the alleged murder of Camarillo is now included in this federal indictment the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office will dismiss a pending murder charge against Battle in Lake County arising out of the same events.

U.S. Attorney Capp stated, “We work regularly with Bernie Carter and his office and make joint decisions on which jurisdiction is best able to handle a particular case. Often we defer to our State colleagues, and they in turn will defer to us on certain prosecutions. We greatly appreciate this cooperative relationship. It enables both offices to most effectively utilize their resources to protect the public.”

Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter stated, “I appreciate the continuous working relationship between my office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Because of the cooperation between our offices we are able to jointly make charging decisions that best protect and benefit our community.”

Battle will soon be taken into federal custody and will have his initial appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge next week.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; East Chicago Police Department; and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David J. Nozick and Thomas M. McGrath.

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.

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.