U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
Northern District of Indiana
5400 Federal Plaza, Suite 1500 (219) 937- 5500
Hammond, Indiana 46320 FAX: (219) 852- 2770
TTD: (219) 933- 1250
April 19, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Released By: Joseph S. Van Bokkelen
United States Attorney
Northern District of Indiana
5400 Federal Plaza, Suite 1500
Hammond, Indiana 46320
Contact Person: Dean Lanter
Assistant United States Attorney
219/937-5500
PRESS RELEASE
DEFENDANT SENTENCEDOn September 21, 2005, United States District Judge Philip P. Simon sentenced RALPH BURKHARDT, 36, of Lafayette, Indiana, in accordance with the sentencing guidelines to 24 months imprisonment following BURKHARDT’s guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The District Court found that BURKHARDT, who has prior felony convictions for burglary, criminal recklessness, and theft, and has a prior misdemeanor conviction for resisting law enforcement, unlawfully possessed four shotguns and rifles, one of which was stolen and one of which he purchased from a licensed firearms dealer by lying about his name and status as a felon. This Project Safe Neighborhoods case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean Lanter.
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