Hammond, Indiana — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in Federal Court:
PLEAS
- Jonathan Heard, 36, of East Chicago, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of knowingly possessing in and affecting commerce a firearm after having been convicted of a felony offense. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Sentencing has been set for 4/24/2015. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tom McGrath.
- Shannon Meegan, 33, of Hammond, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to distribute a mixture or substance containing hydrocodone. 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 the Drug Enforcement Agency. Sentencing has not been set. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tom McGrath.
- Mary Lederleitner, 56, of Munster, Indiana pled guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to distribute a mixture or substance containing hydrocodone. 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 the Drug Enforcement Agency. Sentencing has not been set. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tom McGrath.
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.
DISPOSITIONS
- Eddie Torres, 44, of East Chicago, Indiana was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment with 3 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offenses of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distributing 100 kilograms or more of marijuana and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the FBI, and the East Chicago Police Department, with assistance from the Gary Police Department, the Hammond Police Department and the Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program. This case was being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Nozick of the Northern District of Indiana and Trial Attorney Bruce R. Hegyi of the Criminal Division’s Capital Case Section.
- Julie A Schroeder, 52, of Valparaiso, Indiana was sentenced to 12 months of probation with 10 months on home detention after pleading guilty to the felony offense of theft from a program receiving federal funds. According to documents filed in this case, Schroeder was the office manager of the food service office of Valparaiso Community schools. Schroeder stole approximately $37,000 from school lunch programs. This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Philip Benson.
- Armando Gomez, 64, of East Chicago, Indiana was sentenced to 5 months imprisonment, 1 year supervised release and to pay $42,979.00 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of making a false statement under oath on a tax return. According to documents filed in this case, Gomez filed a 2007 federal tax return and understated the total taxable income of by approximately $45,000.00. This case was the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Philip Benson.
- Holly McManus, 34, of Michigan City, Indiana was sentenced to 18 months of probation and to pay $17,368.25 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of insurance fraud utilizing the mail. According to documents filed in this case, McManus, along with others, participated in staged automobile accidents in order to collect funds and money by submitting false and fraudulent insurance claims. This case was the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Service. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Toi Houston.