Week In Review – Hammond

     Hammond, Indiana — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:

PLEAS

• Dexter Eugene Howard, 38, of Gary, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of bank robbery by force or violence. The magistrate judge is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea.  Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Sentencing has been set for 1/14/2015.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

• Elbert Johnson, 37, of Crown Point, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offenses of conspiracy to commit identity theft, false claims, aggravated identity theft, and filing a false tax return. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by Internal Revenue Service.  Sentencing has not been set.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Toi Houston.

If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.