FEDERAL GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENTS

Hammond, IN—The United States Attorney's Office announced that a Grand Jury sitting in Hammond, Indiana, returned the following Indictments on May 17, 2007:

EDWARD ANTHONY LIPSCOMB, 32, of Gary, Indiana, was charged in a 9 count indictment with knowingly and intentionally distributing a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, commonly known as crack cocaine, and knowingly and intentionally distributing five (5) grams of cocaine base a Schedule II controlled substance. The indictment also charges that Lipscomb knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance, and possession of a Smith & Wesson .357 revolver. This case is being investigated by the Gary Response Investigative Team (GRIT). This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas S. Ratcliffe.

JEANINE AHMED, age 33, of Dyer, Indiana, and IRFAN AHMED, age 40, of Schererville, Indiana, were charged in a 2 count indictment with knowingly transferring and using, without lawful authority, a means of identification of other persons, or Identity Theft, to wit: unauthorized American Express credit card issued to another person, and with credit card fraud by using the American Express credit card to receive payment and other things of value, to wit: cash advances totaling $9,500.00. This case is being investigated by the U.S, Postal Inspection Service. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Toi D. Houston.

JEFFREY AKARD, age 32, of Lafayette, Indiana, was charged in a 2 count indictment with Possession of photos, specifically computer photographic images, depicting minors engaged in sexual activity and Receipt of photos, specifically computer photographic images, depicting minors engaged in sexual activity. The indictment also contains a Sexual Exploitation Forfeiture Allegation calling for the forfeiture of a Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop computer. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gary T. Bell.

LEOTIS SWOPES, age 26, of South Holland, Illinois, was charged in a 5 count indictment with aiding and abetting the making of false written statements in that he induced another person to certify that he was the actual purchaser when in fact he knew he was not, in connection with the acquisition of Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistols from Blythe’s Sport Shop, Inc. and two Masterpiece Arms 9mm pistols from Westforth Sport Shop, Inc. The indictment also charges Swopes with being a Felon in Possession of Firearms, having been convicted of Possession of a Controlled Substance, a felony, in 2005 and again in 2006.

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.

The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that these indictments are merely allegations and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

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