United States Attorney David Capp

Northern District of Indiana

5400 Federal Plaza, Suite 1500

Hammond, IN 46320

August 21, 2008 PHONE: (219) 937-5603

Fax: (219) 852-2770

FEDERAL GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT

Hammond, IN--The United States Attorney's Office announced that a Grand Jury sitting in Hammond, Indiana, returned the following Indictments on August 20, 2008:

LONIE HENSON, 51, of Lowell, Indiana, was charged in a one count indictment with being a Felon in Possession of a Handgun, having been convicted of Child Molestation in 1985 in Lake County, Indiana, and Sodomy in the First Degree in 1986 in Kentucky. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the ATF/HIDTA Task Force. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Padilla.

KENNETH J. ANDERSON, 49, of Gary, Indiana, was charged in an eight count indictment with Drug Trafficking by the intentional distribution and possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine in June through August, 2008. Anderson was also charged with Possession of a Firearm in relation to drug trafficking crimes. These charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the FBI/GRIT. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jacqueline L Jacobs.

MARLON K. SPEARS, 38, of Hammond, Indiana, was charged in a one count indictment with Drug Trafficking by possession with intent to distribute 100 or more marijuana plants. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the GRIT. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas S. Ratcliffe.

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 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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