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 22, 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 indictments were returned on March 19, 2010:

Julio Tenorio, 26, and Enrique Barraza, 32, of Chicago, Illinois, were charged in a one count indictment with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Kolar.

Ikedia Smith, 23, of East Chicago, Indiana, was charged in a one count indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Smith was convicted of the felony offense of attempted residential entry in 2006. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Kolar.

Chad Skwiat, 23, of Michigan City, Indiana, was charged in a four count indictment with two counts of distribution of heroin, one count of possession with the intent to distribute heroin, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Upon conviction, Skwiat will forfeit a .357 revolver and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Kolar.

Antonio Love, 37, of Gary, Indiana, was charged in a one count indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm, to wit; a Hi-point 9mm handgun. Upon conviction, Love will forfeit the firearm. Love was convicted of murder in 1994. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives , and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Kolar.

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.