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

March 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:

Anthony Lee Cruz, 32, of Gary, Indiana, was charged in a one count indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Cruz has prior felony convictions for being a felon in possession, making false statements in the acquisition of a firearm, and auto theft and receiving stolen auto parts. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Hobart Police Department. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Padilla.

John Wesley Sellers, 20, of Gary, Indiana, was charged in a one count indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Sellers has prior felony convictions for dealing in a sawed-off shotgun, and possession of cocaine. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives HIDTA Task Force. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Padilla.

David Martin, 32, of Gary, Indiana, was charged in an indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Martin has a prior felony conviction for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives HIDTA Task Force. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean Lanter.

Anthony Diangelo Thompson, 19, of Lafayette, Indiana, was charged in a superseding indictment with three additional counts of receipt of child pornography and five additional counts of distribution of child pornography. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Homeland Security Investigations, and the Lafayette Police Department. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jill Trumbull-Harris.

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.