Former East Chicago Councilman Sentenced To 20 Years in Prison

HAMMOND –Robert Battle, age 45, of East Chicago, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon on his guilty plea of discharging a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, causing death of another person, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Battle was sentenced to 240 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “Mr. Battle was a drug dealer, while at the same time serving as a public official. He was elected to uphold the law and instead conspired to break it.  Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of his offense and should be a warning to others who want to engage in these type of violent crimes.”

According to documents filed in the case, in or around April 2015 agents began investigating Battle in relation to drug trafficking activities.  During the investigation, agents received information that Reimundo Camarillo was supplying Battle, a sitting East Chicago Councilman, with large quantities of drugs.  In September 2015, agents determined Battle may have had a load of drugs and conducted a traffic stop seizing a quantity of drugs and cash.  Working with agents, Battle then attempted to make a controlled delivery to Camarillo who did not show after Battle’s arrest.  On October 12, 2015 Battle and Camarillo had an argument outside of Battle’s residence where Battle shot Camarillo in the back, killing him.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; East Chicago Police Department; and Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David J. Nozick and Thomas M. McGrath.