United States Attorney David Capp

Northern District of Indiana

M01-204 S. Main Street

South Bend, IN 46601

Hammond                                                 South Bend                                               Fort Wayne

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         CONTACT: Mary L. Hatton June 17, 2011                                                                                     PHONE: (219) 937-5603 www.usdoj.gov/usao/inn/                                                                   Fax: (219) 852-2770WEEK IN REVIEW-FEDERAL COURT

South Bend, IN—The United States Attorney's Office announced:Stephen Knight, 38, of Michigan City, Indiana, pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Christopher Neuchterlein to count one of an indictment charging him with unlawful transport of firearms. Sentencing has been set for 9/15/11. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Paul Holiday, 34, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced by Judge Robert Miller, Jr. to 51 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to count four of an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Sentencing has been set for 9/19/11. This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Dirk Lester, 20, of Elkhart, Indiana, was sentenced by Judge Jon DeGuilio to 66 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to counts four, five and seven of an indictment charging him with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Mishiwaka Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Maciejczyk.

James Kevin Taylor, 27, of South Bend, Indiana, pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Christopher Neuchterlein to counts one and two of an indictment charging him with making false statements in the purchase of a firearm. Sentencing has been set for 9/14/11. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

Taylor Wagers, 64, of Knox, Indiana, pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Christopher Neuchterlein to count one of an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

Keith Butchko, 52, of South Bend, Indiana, pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Christopher Neuchterlein to count one of an indictment charging with manufacture of marijuana. Sentencing has been set for 9/19/11. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

La Shaun Briggs, 41, of Michigan City, Indiana, pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Christopher Neuchterlein to count four of an indictment charging him with distribution of crack cocaine. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

The specific sentence in each case to be imposed upon conviction will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.