Week In Review – South Bend

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

DISPOSITIONS

• Robert Alphonse Deschepper, III, 24, of Edwardsburg, Michigan was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment and 3 months home detention with 2 years supervised release and to pay $5,681.24 in restitution after pleading guilty to lying to a licensed firearms dealer during the acquisition of firearms.    According to documents filed in this case, on April 28, 2014, Deschepper went to a licensed firearms dealer and purchased a Sig Sauer, model 1911, .45 caliber pistol and a Sig Sauer, model 1911, .22 caliber pistol. Deschepper completed an ATF Form 4473 for the purchase of these two firearms.  Also on April 28, 2014, Deschepper made purchases from a gun exchange location in Mishawaka, Indiana. At that location, the defendant completed another ATF Form 4473 for the purchase of a Ruger, model 10/22 rifle, .22 caliber, a Sig Sauer, model 1911, .45 caliber pistol, and a Sig Sauer, model 1911, .22 caliber pistol.  On April 29, 2014, the defendant completed another ATF Form 4473 at Midwest Gun Exchange for the purchase of a Smith & Wesson, model 637, .357 caliber revolver, a Bond Arms, model USA Defender, 410/.45 derringer and a Sig Sauer, model 938, 9mm pistol. In addition to the three firearms, Deschepper also purchased firearm accessories and ammunition. Again on April 29, 2014, the defendant came back to Midwest Gun Exchange in Mishawaka, Indiana and filled out another 4473 form. The defendant made the purchase of a Ruger, model M-14, 5.56 caliber rifle, with serial number 582-50880, a Ruger, model M-30, 7.62 x 39 caliber rifle, a Sig Sauer, model 1911, .45 caliber pistol, and a Sig Sauer, model 1911, .22 caliber pistol. Along with the firearm purchases, the defendant purchased ammunition and firearm accessories. In total, the defendant made the purchase of approximately $9,260.00 worth of firearms, ammunition and accessories from two gun store locations. Each of the total five purchases was made using a personal checking account in the name of Robert Deschepper III that had been closed in 2013 and on each of the ATF 4473 forms the defendant falsely identified his current home address.  This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

• Brock Crowe, 39, of Delphi, Indiana was sentenced to 1 year Probation and to pay $1000 in fines after pleading guilty to knowingly possessing cocaine, a controlled substance.    According to the documents filed in this case, between June 28th and July 15, 2012 Crowe knowingly possessed cocaine purchased from Jose Patlan.  Crowe purchased cocaine before from Patlan and knew it was a controlled substance.  This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.

• Kenny Lee, 29, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced to 35 months imprisonments with 2 of supervised release and a $100 special assessment after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of firearm.  According to the documents filed in this case, on October 31, 2013, officers responded to a six year old boy being shot.  The minor victim stated that his father Kenny Lee shot him while Lee was trying to shoot his uncle.  Lee is a convicted felon (two Class D felony charges for possession of cocaine.)  This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid.

• Jose Luis Lopez, 24, of Logansport, Indiana was sentenced to time and to be deported after pleading guilty to knowingly distributing cocaine, a controlled substance.    According to the documents filed in this case, on November 14, 2013, Lopez was involved with an individual in distributing cocaine in the Logansport area.  On occasion, Lopez delivered cocaine to an individual he did not know was working for law enforcement.   This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Schaffer.