Hammond man gets 8 years in federal prison for drug dealing
U.S. District Judge Gretchen Lund sentenced Fernando Porras Jr., 64, to 96 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
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Filling the robes: Nominations still pending for Indiana district, appellate vacancies
Of all the current Indiana judicial nominees, Magistrate Judge Joshua Kolar of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana is the farthest along on his route to fill a vacancy.
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Continuing a legacy: Brady settles in as Northern District Court chief judge
One thing most people agree on when talking about Holly Brady is her strong work ethic, both now as a judge and when she worked in private practice. That work ethic has propelled her to her current role as chief judge of the Indiana Northern District Court.
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One admission for all: Push for standardized federal bar admission gaining traction
A proposal submitted to the Judicial Conference’s Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure last month provides for the creation of a “Bar of the District Court for the United States.”
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Arbitration and IP: Dispute between models, strip clubs highlights IP infringement coverage questions
An unusual intellectual property dispute involving strip clubs and professional models is moving through Indiana’s state courts on the issue of arbitration, highlighting what experts see as a lapse in insurance coverage for IP infringement.
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Articles
South Bend man charged with attempting to kill federal agent
The Nov. 19 indictment charged DeCarlos L. Smallwood, Robert Sanders, Kumar Bishop, Sanena Williams and DeCarlos C. Smallwood with various drug, money laundering and/or firearm offenses related to the distribution of methamphetamine over the course of 2025.
Wheeler, Proctor steer clear of legal challenges facing other U.S. Attorney appointees
As Indiana’s nominees for U.S. attorney await full Senate confirmation, the acting federal prosecutors leading the state’s two districts have avoided the legal challenges now complicating similar Trump administration appointments elsewhere.
South Bend man gets 17+ years in prison for meth trafficking
U.S. District Court Judge Cristal Brisco sentenced Denardo McCormack, 34, to 211 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
U.S. Attorney nominees Wheeler, Mildred await Senate confirmation vote after committee approval
U.S. Attorney nominee Adam Mildred received a favorable 12-10 vote from the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday, while Tom Wheeler II advanced Oct. 9 by the same vote total.
Hammond man gets 21+ years in federal prison for child porn distribution
U.S. District Judge Gretchen Lund sentenced Michael Swiger, 41, to 262 months in prison, a lifetime of supervised release and ordered him to pay $49,000 in restitution to the victims of the offenses.
Federal courts maintain business as usual, but larger impacts loom if government shutdown drags on
The federal court system said it is working to determine if paid operations can be sustained through Oct. 17.
Indiana man gets four years in prison after threats to U.S. Supreme Court, federal judges in Indy
Authorities said the man threatened to detonate a bomb at the U.S. Supreme Court building and sent a threatening letter to the U.S. District Court in Indianapolis.
Columbia City man sentenced to 35 years for sexual exploitation of teen
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Holly Brady sentenced Joel McClure, 38, after he pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child.
Fort Wayne man gets 35 years in prison for drug trafficking
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Holly Brady sentenced Detric Cummings, 43, to 420 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after he pleaded guilty to counts charging him with distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Mexican national gets 19 years in prison after being caught with 10 pounds of meth
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Holly Brady sentenced Heriberto Martinez Contreras, 24, of Mexico, after he pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Check-cashing scheme in Indiana, Oklahoma nets Honduran national 3+ years in prison
U.S. District Court Judge Philip Simon sentenced Ricardo Castro Murillo, 34, of Honduras, to 37 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud in two cases.
South Bend man sentenced to 8+ years in prison for gun crimes
U.S. District Judge Damon Leichty sentenced Zai’Vohn Perry, 25, to 101 months in prison and three years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
LaPorte man gets 19 years in prison for child porn possession
U.S. District Judge Damon Leichty sentenced Ron Deming, 38, after a jury convicted him of one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.
Illinois man get 3+ years in prison for role in bank fraud scheme
U.S. District Court Judge Phillip Simon sentenced Kareim Coverson to 41 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay $614,597.50 in restitution to the victims of the offense.
Rochester man sentenced to over 12 years in prison after meth bust
U.S. District Court Judge Damon Leichty sentenced Solomon Newcomb, 30, after he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.
Gary man gets 40 years in prison for murder, drug dealing convictions
U.S. District Court Judge Philip Simon sentenced Taquan Clarke, 31, for using a firearm to commit murder and conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
South Bend man gets 21+ years in prison for robberies, use of gun
U.S. District Judge Cristal Brisco sentenced Quadir Quiroz, 20, to 262 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
Fort Wayne man gets 16+ years in prison for drug trafficking
A Fort Wayne man faces more than 16 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to several drug trafficking-related charges.
Mishawaka man gets 35 years in prison for child porn crimes
U.S. District Court Judge Cristal Brisco sentenced Jonathan Alan Peters, 33, after he pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography.