Week in Review—Hammond

HAMMOND, IN—The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in federal court:

Pleas:

■Osvaldo Herrera, 23, of Calumet City, Illinois, pled guilty before Senior Judge James Moody to the felony offense of distribution of 50 grams or more of crack cocaine. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Joshua Kolar.

■Cesar Diaz, 39, of Calumet City, Illinois, a defendant in the case U.S. v Herrera et al., pled guilty before Senior Judge James Moody to the felony offense of distribution of 50 grams or more or crack cocaine. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Joshua Kolar.

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:

■Ronald Zastro, 42, of Chicago, Illinois, a defendant in the case U.S. v DeLeon et al., was sentenced by Chief Judge Philip Simon to 112 months’ imprisonment and five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to possess and distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration HIDTA Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Kolar.

■Otiniel Nava-Barragan, 46, of Chicago, Illinois, a defendant in the case U.S. v Martinez et al., was sentenced by Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to 46 months’ imprisonment and two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to distribute heroin. This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Indiana State Police, and the Chicago Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Kolar.

■Victor Wiggins, 29, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen to 78 months’ imprisonment and two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. According to the Plea Agreement filed in this case, Wiggins has two previous convictions for battery. 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 Jennifer Chang-Adiga.