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

February 17, 2011                                                                               PHONE: (219) 937-5500

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

INDICTMENTS RETURNED IN HAMMOND FEDERAL COURT

Hammond, Indiana—The United States Attorney's Office announced the following indictments were returned on February16, 2011:

Edmond Alonzo Coutee., 30, of Gary, Indiana, was charged in an indictment with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Coutee has two previous felony convictions for possession of cocaine and arson. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Ratcliffe.

Jesus Ramirez, 41, of Chicago, Illinois, and Jose Montoya, 38, of Summit, Illinois, were charged in an indictment with kidnaping. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Padilla.

Alejandro Marquez, 29, of Chicago, Illinois, Juan Perez, currently in custody, and Manuel Gonzalez, 43, of La Porte, Texas, were charged in an indictment with conspiracy to distribute and distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration HIDTA Task Force. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Kolar.

Miguel Chavez, a/k/a Alberto Lopez-Medrano, 44, of Chicago, Illinois, was charged in an indictment with possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and eluding examination by immigration officers while remaining in the United States. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Homeland Security Investigations. This case has been assigned to and will be 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.