Three Charged With Attempting to Provide or Possess Contraband In Prison

HAMMOND- United States Attorney David A. Capp announced today that a criminal complaint was filed against David Victor, 23, of Merrillville, Indiana; Ellisa Salazar , 22, of Griffith and Julian Rebeles, 24, of Hammond, for attempting to provide or possess contraband in prison.

Rebeles who is currently under Federal Indictment for his involvement in the Latin King RICO conspiracy and narcotics conspiracy case charged, United States v. Anton James et al, is alleged to be discussing “silencing” witnesses and cooperating defendants in the case. 

During the course of this investigation, approximately 14 jail phone calls were monitored between Rebeles and his girlfriend, Ellisa Salazar. It is alleged that Rebeles instructed Salazar to purchase a cellular telephone and pay an individual $1000.00 to give it to Rebeles, while he was still incarcerated.  On February 2, 2016, investigators observed Salazar meet an individual in a Merrillville parking lot.  After a transaction, investigators followed the vehicle Salazar met to the Lake County Jail and initiated a traffic stop which identified Lake County Correctional Officer David Victor.  There was money in an envelope with the name “Ellisa” found under the driver’s seat and a cellular telephone found inside Victor’s lunchbox on the passenger seat.   

The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that a Complaint 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.

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hammond Police Department, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area officers and agents.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick.

###