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

June 23, 2011                                                                                      PHONE: (219) 937-5500

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

INDICTMENTS RETURNED IN FEDERAL COURT

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

Brandon Christopher Lee, 33, and Kristy Saffa, 24, both of Hobart, Indiana; Krystal Lee, 32, of Clinton, Indiana; Shane Howard, 28, of Rensselaer, Indiana; and Jason Burkhart, 34, of Fulton County, Missouri, were charged by an indictment unsealed on 6/22/11 with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine.

Lee was also charged with Possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine producing equipment and Maintaining a meth lab.

Saffa was also charged with 2 counts of possession of pseudoephedrine, possession of methamphetamine producing equipment, and maintaining a meth lab.

Krystal Lee, Howard and Burkhart were also charged with possession of pseudoephedrine, a listed chemical to manufacture methamphetamine.

  These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Porter County Sheriff’s Department, and the Indiana State Police. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

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.