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

June 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 that the following activity in federal court:

Nathaniel Baxter, DOB 10/27/1981, of Gary, Indiana, was charged by indictment unsealed today with one count of possession of 5 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable cocaine base (crack cocaine). This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Grit Task Force and the Gary Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Ratcliffe.

Jesus Lopez, DOB 12/26/1978, of New Chicago, Indiana, was sentenced on 6/18/10 by Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to 60 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to count two of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute and distribute cocaine. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Nicholas Ortega, DOB 1/24 1987, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced on 6/18/10 before Chief Judge Philip Simon to 12 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to an information charging him with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Grit Task Force, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Felipe Deleon, DOB 3/31/1983, of Hammond, Indiana, plead guilty on 6/18/10 before Chief Judge Philip Simon to count one of an indictment charging him with solicitation to commit murder. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Grit Task Force, and is being 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.