INDICTMENT UNSEALED

Hammond, IN—The United States Attorney's Office announced that a Special Grand Jury sitting in Hammond, Indiana, returned the following Indictments on September 5, 2007:

CURTIS WILSON III, 45 , of Gary, Indiana, was arrested following his felony two-count indictment for making materially false statements in the purchase of firearms. The government has alleged that, on New Year’s Eve 2006 and again two weeks later in January 2007, Wilson unlawfully purchased a Desert Eagle .44 Magnum, semi-automatic pistol and a FN, Model Five Seven, 5.7 x 28 millimeter, semi-automatic pistol by indicating to the firearms store that the firearms were for himself, when in fact Wilson was purchasing the firearms for another individual. The government has further alleged that Wilson subsequently falsely reported at least one of the firearms stolen. Wilson has been released on an unsecured bond pending his trial before Judge Lozano. This case is being investigated by the ATF/HIDTA Task Force, with the assistance of the Gary Police Department. This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean R. Lanter.

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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