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

May 5, 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 May 5, 2010:

Jairo Fernando Valdez, 29, Obed Ornelas, 28, and Luis Camboa-Chavez, 30, of Gary, Indiana, were charged by indictment with possession of one hundred (100) or more marijuana plants with the intent to manufacture and distribute marijuana. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration/HIDTA 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.