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

PRESS RELEASE

DEFENDANT SENTENCED

    GABRIEL MENDOZA was sentenced today to 292 months imprisonment by United States District Court Judge James T. Moody. MENDOZA, age 27, of South Bend, Indiana, was also sentenced to 5 years supervised release.

    MENDOZA was convicted November 30, 2004, by a jury of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, illegal re-entry into the United States after deportation, possession with intent to distribute 14 kilograms of cocaine powder, possession with intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Mendoza's Corvette and Chevrolet Tahoe were seized and the Tahoe forfeited at the government's request. Hidden below the Tahoe's false floorboard were 16 kilogram-size bricks of cocaine and 26 pound-size bags of methamphetamine. Mendoza was previously convicted of possession of large quantities of marijuana in Nebraska and deported in 2000. He re-entered the U.S. illegally. He has been detained since his arrest.

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ken Hays. Assistant United States Attorney Randall M. Stewart represented the government at the sentencing hearing.

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