U.S. Department Of Justice

United States Attorney
Northern District of Indiana




Telephone (219) 937-5500                                                 Fax (219)852-2770  


                                   5400 Federal Plaza
                                   Suite 1500
                                   Hammond, Indiana  46320
                              
                                                
                                   February 16, 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


The United States Attorney's Office announced that a Grand Jury sitting in Hammond, Indiana,
returned the following indictments on February 15, 2006:

     Chatsabah G. Gaston, age 35, of Hammond, Indiana, charged with possession with the
intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of
cocaine on February 1, 2006.  In addition, he is charged with possession with the intent to
distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of marijuana on
or about February 1, 2006.  This charge was filed as the result of an investigation by the Drug
Enforcement Agency HIDTA Task Force and the  Hammond Police Department.  This case has
been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Nozick,
who can be reached at 219/937-5500 for any inquiries.


     George Zamont, of East Chicago, Indiana, charged with four counts of possession with
the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base in
December, 2005.  In addition, he is charged with possession of a firearm, a weapon made from a
shotgun which was modified to have an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel of less
than 16 inches in length.  This charge was filed as the result of an investigation by the Drug
Enforcement Agency HIDTA Task Force.  This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted
by Assistant United States Attorney Susan L. Collins, who can be reached at 219/937-5500 for
any inquiries.


     The United States Attorney's Office announced that a Grand Jury sitting in Hammond,
Indiana, previously returned the following indictments:

     Terrence L. Wright, age 31, of East Chicago, Indiana, charged with being a felon in
possession of a firearm and ammunition in January, 2006.  This charge was filed as the result of
an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives HIDTA Task
Force with the assistance of the East Chicago Police Department.  This case has been assigned to
and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean R. Lanter, who can be reached
at 219/937-5500 for any inquiries.


  Ikima D. McNutt, age 29, of Gary, Indiana, charged with making materially false
statements in the purchase of four semi-automatic pistols in Gary, Indiana on or about May 28,
2005. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
HIDTA Task Force, the Lake County Sheriff's Department, the Milwaukee, WI County Sheriff's
Department and the Milwaukee, WI Police Department.   This case has been assigned to and will
be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean R. Lanter, who can be reached at
219/937-5500 for any inquiries.  

  
  The specific sentence to be imposed upon conviction will be determined by the judge
after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. 
The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an indictment is merely an allegation and 
that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.  

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