United States Attorney David Capp

Northern District of Indiana

5400 Federal Plaza, Suite 1500

Hammond, IN 46320

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         CONTACT: Mary L. Hatton

September 8, 2010                                                                              PHONE: (219) 937-5603

www.usdoj.gov/usao/inn/                                                                   Fax: (219) 852-2770   

ACTIVITY IN FEDERAL COURT - HAMMOND

Hammond, IN—The United States Attorney's Office announced the following activity in federal court:

Thomas Wenzel, 30, of the 5100 block of Rebekah Street, Portage, Indiana, pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Paul Cherry to count one of an indictment charging with him with possession of pseudoephedrine to manufacture methamphetamine. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

Christopher Laraneta, 40, of the 1900 block of Monroe Street, Lafayette, Indiana, pled guilty before Chief Judge Philip Simon to counts 2s-8s of an indictment charging with him with possession, distribution, transportation, and receipt of child pornography. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by US Immigration and Custom Enforcement, and the Lafayette Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jill Trumbull Harris.

Stacy Threats, 29, of the 3500 block of Block Avenue, East Chicago, Indiana, pled guilty before Senior Judge Rudy Lozano to count one of an indictment charging with drug trafficking (cocaine). These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Kolar.

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.