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

July 8, 2011                                                                                         PHONE: (219) 937-5500

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

WEEK IN REVIEW - HAMMOND

Hammond, Indiana—The United States Attorney's Office announced the following:

Melissa Sloop, 43, of Goshen, Indiana, was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon to two years of probation and restitution of $15,907.00 after pleading guilty to count one of an indictment charging her with theft of government property, namely benefit funds administered by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. This case was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of the Inspector General. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Toi Houston.

Charles Standifer, 35, of Gary, Indiana, was charged in an Information with aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of a false and fraudulent tax return. Standifer worked as a tax preparer for Quick Sam in Gary, Indiana. Standifer prepared returns representing that the taxpayers were entitled to claim deductions for items and amounts that the taxpayers were not entitled to claim in the 2009 tax year. The information alleges false claims in amounts totaling approximately $32,700. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jill Koster.

Rhonda Murphy, 35, of Gary, Indiana, was charged in an Information with aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of a false and fraudulent tax return. Murphy worked as a tax preparer for Quick Sam in Gary, Indiana. Murphy prepared returns representing that the taxpayers were entitled to claim deductions for items and amounts that the taxpayers were not entitled to claim in the 2009 tax year. The information alleges false claims in amounts totaling approximately $37,700. A change of plea hearing has been set for 8/1/11. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation . This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jill Koster.  

The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Information 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.