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

March 15, 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:

Ricardo Chavez III, 22, of Merrillville, Indiana, was sentenced on 3/12/10 before Judge Rudy Lozano to 57 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Crown Point Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Jason Kerkhoff, 33, of Wolcott, Indiana, plead guilty on 3/12/10 before Senior Judge Rudy Lozano to using a telephone to facilitate a federal narcotics violation, namely conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. Sentencing has been set for June 3, 2010. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation GRIT Task Force, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

Bridgit Kidd, 35, of Wolcott, Indiana, plead guilty on 3/12/10 before Senior Judge Rudy Lozano to using a telephone to facilitate a federal narcotics violation, namely conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana and distribute marijuana, and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana . Sentencing has been set for June 3, 2010. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

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.