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

January 21 , 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:

Charles Webb, 35, of East Chicago, Indiana, was charged by an indictment returned today with possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the East Chicago Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Kolar.

Lane Barendsen, 24, of Valparaiso, Indiana, plead guilty on 1/20/10 before Judge Philip Simon to possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. Sentencing has been set for April 21, 2010. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Kolar.

Jan Herma, 41, of Wanatah, Indiana, was sentenced on 1/21/10 by Senior Judge Rudy Lozano to 57 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fifty (50) grams or more of methamphetamine. This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration and the Porter County Sheriff’s Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

Deondre Alexander, 20, of Gary, Indiana, plead guilty on 1/21/10 before Judge Philip Simon to being a felon in possession of a firearm, to wit; a Smith and Wesson .357 caliber pistol. Alexander was convicted of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, in March, 2007, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. Sentencing has been set for April 21, 2010. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives/HIDTA Task Force, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Padilla.

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.