Crown Point Man Sentenced To 60 Months Imprisonment

For Distribution of Crack Cocaine

HAMMOND-Leonardo Verduzco, 26, of Crown Point, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Theresa L. Springmann to 60 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release following his guilty plea to distribution of crack cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.    

According to documents in the case, during the summer of 2019, law enforcement made purchases of crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and a firearm from Verduzco.  During a subsequent search of Verduzco’s residence, law enforcement recovered drug packaging materials, empty gun cases, gun magazines, ammunition, and $11,240 in cash.  In his plea agreement, Verduzco consented to forfeiture of the cash because it was connected or traceable to his drug crime, admitted responsibility for 28 grams of crack and 171 grams of methamphetamine as drug-involved conduct, and admitted that he had assisted another individual in illegally purchasing a firearm for him.  Verduzco, who has prior misdemeanor convictions for battery, theft, and marijuana possession, was on probation at the time of this federal offense.             

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives/High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Schererville Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Northern District of Indiana Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Padilla.