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

                  219/937-5500

PRESS RELEASE

DEFENDANT SENTENCED JABBAR BALLARD was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon to 87 months imprisonment.

          BALLARD, age 27, of Gary, Indiana, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute in excess of 30 grams of cocaine base (crack), a Schedule II Controlled Substance.

          This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the DEA HIDTA Task Force and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane L. Berkowitz. 

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