HAMMOND—United States Attorney David A. Capp announced today that Richard Balderas, 19 of Hammond, Indiana was indicted for one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

According to documents filed in the case, on August 19, 2015 Balderas, who has a prior felony conviction through state court, was found in possession of a .357/.38 caliber revolver during the execution of a search warrant. The firearm that was found in the defendant’s possession had a filed off serial number.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Gang Response Investigative Team (GRIT) and Hammond Police Department. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Nozick.

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.