United States Attorney David Capp

Northern District of Indiana

5400 Federal Plaza, Suite 1500

Hammond, Indiana 46320

Hammond                                                 South Bend                                               Fort Wayne

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         CONTACT: Mary L. Hatton

August 20, 2010                                                                                  PHONE: (219) 937-5500

www.usdoj.gov/usao/inn/                                                                    Fax: (219) 852-2770 

ACTIVITY IN FEDERAL COURT - HAMMOND

Hammond, Indiana—The United States Attorney's Office announced the following activity in federal court:

Robert Evans, Jr., 40, of the 2400 block of Marshaltown Lane, Gary, Indiana, was charged in an indictment returned on August 19, 2010 with two counts of distribution of crack cocaine, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Evans was previously convicted of distribution of crack cocaine in 2000. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Shawn Donte Hopkins, 31, of the 800 block of Tennessee, Gary, Indiana, was charged in an indictment returned August 19, 2010, with one count of distribution of crack cocaine, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Hopkins was previously convicted of possession of cocaine in 2005. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Grit Task Force. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Antoine Jackson, of the 6000 block of Marshall Court, Merrillville, Indiana, was sentenced by Senior Judge Rudy Lozano to 27 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to count one of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in the case US v Chavez et al. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

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.

            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.