Thursday, December 13, 2012

12132012 - News Article - Judge tosses dog evidence in Union Twp. murder trial



Judge tosses dog evidence in Union Twp. murder trial
December 13, 2012 - 7:19 pm
Bob Kasarda
NWI Times

VALPARAISO - A judge has ruled bloodhound evidence will not be introduced during the February murder trial involving Union Township resident Dustin McCowan.

McCowan, 20, is accused in the slaying of his former girlfriend, Amanda Bach. Bach, 19, was found shot to death Sept. 17, 2011 about 300 yards from McCowan's house.

Porter Superior Court Judge Bill Alexa said the state Supreme Court ruled in 1917 that bloodhound evidence is inadmissible.

The court analyzed and quoted numerous cases from other states, the majority of which "recognize the fact that such evidence is of a very dangerous character, and that, when received, it is to be with caution, " according to Alexa's ruling.

"While the court agreed that bloodhound dogs are 'carefully trained,' the court ... stated that all dogs 'are not equally unerring, and each may fail at times in being truthful,'" Alexa said.

Alexa also cited a 1985 state Supreme Court case upholding those earlier findings.

Portage-based defense attorney John Vouga said Thursday he believes the judge ruled correctly considering the state's history on the issue of bloodhound evidence.

Porter County Deputy Prosecutor Cheryl Polarek said she believes the bloodhound evidence in this case is strong, but was not surprised by the ruling.

"We understood it could go either way," she said.

The dog in this case had tracked trails from where Bach's body was found to both her car and to McCowan's nearby house.

Polarek said she still has a solid case against McCowan, who is being held without bond at the Porter County Jail until his Feb. 4 trial.

During a bond hearing in November 2011, police unveiled several key pieces of evidence in addition to the bloodhound information, including tracing McCowan's cellphone to the sites where Bach's body and her vehicle were found.

There also is a witness, who identified McCowan as the "Justin Timberlake-looking kid" he saw walking in the area that September day.

Other revelations that surfaced included McCowan's father, Crown Point police Officer Joseph Elliott McCowan, telling investigators a .38-caliber revolver was missing from his home.

Along with that, ammunition for a .38-caliber gun appears to match the bullet taken from Bach's body.

A detective said at the time that of the 90 pieces of evidence collected and up to 150 people interviewed, nothing pointed to anyone but McCowan as being responsible.




Friday, December 7, 2012

12072012 - News Article - Man admits killing wife at her shop



Man admits killing wife at her shop
Post-Tribune (IN)
December 7, 2012
www.newsbank.com

A Chesterton area man admitted Thursday to murdering his estranged wife, shooting her multiple times with an AK-47 assault rifle and leaving her dead with her blood splattered in a fine mist over the walls and ceiling of her Portage business.

Fredrick C. Cashner Jr., 56, pleaded to felony murder with the courtroom filled with family of his victim, Cynthia Cashner, 50.

Porter County Superior Court Judge Roger Bradford set Cashner’s sentencing hearing for 11 a.m. Jan. 3.

If Bradford accepts the terms of the plea agreement, he will sentence Cashner to 45 years in prison, which is the minimum amount of time that Indiana law allows for the required 45- to 65-year sentence.

The plea hearing went quickly with Cashner admitting to going to his wife’s place of business with the assault rifle intending to kill her.

The murder happened on Easter night, April 24, 2011.

Cynthia Cashner was staying at her business, Mystic Moon, on the second floor at 5830 U.S. 6, in Portage, because of problems with Cashner.

She had filed for divorce in March 2011, and a provisional order gave her a vehicle and made her husband responsible for marital bills and health insurance for her.

Fredrick Cashner forced entry into the business by smashing in the downstairs blue security steel door, shattering the glass into a spider web pattern held up by the steel mesh embedded in it.

He shot her eight times in the neck, torso and extremities.

Someone had called 911 about 10:22 p.m., but the dispatcher only heard the labored breathing of what police later presumed was Cynthia Cashner.

The dispatcher tried to get a response, but 20 seconds into the call the dispatcher heard a male voice say, “It’s too late” and something indistinct.

After three or four gunshots, the breathing stopped.

Police found her on an air mattress on her back and right side, legs folded as if she’d sat cross-legged, a laptop computer between her legs.

About 30 minutes into the crime scene investigation, the victim’s son called 911 and said Fredrick Cashner called him and told him he had killed Cynthia and that the son should call 911.

A SWAT team soon surrounded Cashner’s residence in the 300 block of East Tratebas Road when he didn’t answer, but when they said they were coming in with a warrant, he walked out and calmly stated, “What took you so long?” and “I’ve been waiting for you, and there’s no problems here,” according to court documents.

In Cashner’s truck, police found an AK-47 with a round chambered, an extra ammunition magazine for it and a hammer with blue paint flakes that matched the door of Mystic Moon.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

12062012 - News Article - Man admits killing wife at her Portage business; faces 45 years in prison



Man admits killing wife at her Portage business; faces 45 years in prison
Post-Tribune
December 6, 2012 - 3:44PM
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/porter/16853192-418/man-admit-killing-wife-at-her-portage-business.html
 

A Chesterton area man admitted Thursday to murdering his estranged wife, shooting her multiple times with an AK-47 assault rifle and leaving her dead with her blood splattered in a fine mist over the walls and ceiling of her Portage business.

Fredrick C. Cashner Jr., 56, pleaded to felony murder with the courtroom filled with family of his victim, Cynthia Cashner, 50.

Porter County Superior Court Judge Roger Bradford set Cashner’s sentencing hearing for 11 a.m. Jan. 3.
If Bradford accepts the terms of the plea agreement, he will sentence Cashner to 45 years in prison, which is the minimum amount of time that Indiana law allows for the required 45- to 65-year sentence.

The plea hearing went quickly with Cashner admitting to going to his wife’s place of business with the assault rifle intending to kill her.

The murder happened on Easter night, April 24, 2011.

Cynthia Cashner was staying at her business, Mystic Moon, on the second floor at 5830 U.S. 6, in Portage, because of problems with Cashner.

She had filed for divorce in March 2011, and a provisional order gave her a vehicle and made her husband responsible for marital bills and health insurance for her.

Fredrick Cashner forced entry into the business by smashing in the downstairs blue security steel door, shattering the glass into a spider web pattern held up by the steel mesh embedded in it.

He shot her eight times in the neck, torso and extremities.

Someone had called 911 about 10:22 p.m., but the dispatcher only heard the labored breathing of what police later presumed was Cynthia Cashner.

The dispatcher tried to get a response, but 20 seconds into the call the dispatcher heard a male voice say, "It’s too late" and something indistinct.

After three or four gunshots, the breathing stopped.

Police found her on an air mattress on her back and right side, legs folded as if she’d sat cross-legged, a laptop computer between her legs.

About 30 minutes into the crime scene investigation, the victim’s son called 911 and said Fredrick Cashner called him and told him he had killed Cynthia and that the son should call 911.

A SWAT team soon surrounded Cashner’s residence in the 300 block of East Tratebas Road when he didn’t answer, but when they said they were coming in with a warrant, he walked out and calmly stated, "What took you so long?" and "I’ve been waiting for you, and there’s no problems here," according to court documents.

In Cashner’s truck, police found an AK-47 with a round chambered, an extra ammunition magazine for it and a hammer with blue paint flakes that matched the door of Mystic Moon.

12062012 - News Article - Porter County man pleads guilty to murdering his estranged wife



Porter County man pleads guilty to murdering his estranged wife
Northwest Indiana Times
December 06, 2012 - 11:51 am
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage/porter-county-man-pleads-guilty-to-murdering-his-estranged-wife/article_779a3fd4-fb9f-5b42-86b6-20ab871d6078.html


VALPARAISO | Jackson Township resident Fredrick Cashner Jr. showed no emotion Thursday as he pleaded guilty to murdering his estranged wife in 2011 by repeatedly shooting her with a high-powered semiautomatic rifle.

The 56-year-old's plea is in return for the minimum sentence of 45 years behind bars, which he can complete in half the time with good behavior and participation in various prison programs.

Brian McGowan, who is the brother of 50-year-old murder victim Cynthia Cashner, said the family is pleased with the proposed plea agreement considering there will be no trial and no chance for appeal.

It was McGowan's understanding the defense wanted to argue the shooting was the result of sudden heat and thus should result in a lesser charge.

The family plans to return Jan. 3 when Judge Roger Bradford will decide whether to accept the proposed plea agreement and carry out sentencing, McGowan said. The group has been waiting until that time to spread Cynthia Cashner's ashes.

"We're waiting to put this behind us," he said.

Cashner is accused of killing Cynthia Cashner on April 24, 2011, by firing at least eight bullets into her body.

She was found dead on an air mattress after police received a 911 call about 10:25 p.m. from her Mystic Moon Herbal Shoppe, 5830 U.S. 6, Portage.

Dispatchers reportedly heard faint breathing on the line and nothing else, though on second review, detectives later heard a male voice in the background say, "It's too late," followed by three or four gunshots, police said.

When Bradford asked Fredrick Cashner on Thursday if he intended to kill his estranged wife, he initially said no.

After conferring with his defense attorney, Paul Stracci, Cashner responded with a yes to that question and to others asking if he pointed the gun at the victim and pulled the trigger multiple times.

Cashner's case had been set to go to trial Jan. 7.

Monday, December 3, 2012

12032012 - News Article - Lake Station council looking at possibly abolishing city court



Lake Station council looking at possibly abolishing city court
NWI Times 
Dec 3, 2012 

LAKE STATION | The City Council is looking to possibly abolish city court by Jan. 1, City Attorney Ray Szarmach said.

Szarmach said he was directed by the City Council to draft an ordinance abolishing the court. The council will consider the ordinance at its 6 p.m. Thursday meeting in the municipal complex, 1969 Central Ave.

The main reason for abolishing the city court is due to falling revenues, City Council President Garry Szostek said.

"The court has been losing money for three to four years. ... It has to be discussed," Szostek said.

City Judge Chris Anderson, when reached for comment, said he wasn't aware of the ordinance being considered by the City Council.

Anderson said he planned to research the legality of the move including the status of his term which doesn't end until 2016.

"I don't think it's the right thing to do; it's a bad decision," Anderson said.

The City Council has also ordered an audit of city court finances, Szostek said.

According to state law, a City Council or Town Board can establish or abolish its city or town court every four years, Szarmach said.

"Municipalities are strapped for cash," Szarmach added.

Anderson and city officials have often been at odds this past year, including legal action Anderson initiated and won.

Anderson filed suit after the City Council on June 13 agreed to transfer two clerk positions from Anderson's supervision and budget.

The two positions included the previously fired stepdaughter of Mayor Keith Soderquist.

Anderson's supervision of the two clerk positions and the related budget were restored on Oct. 29 following an order issued by Lake Superior Court Judge Calvin Hawkins.

Anderson said city officials also have continued to criticize him for bringing in less revenue through court fees, claiming he has waived court fees. Anderson denies he has ever waived any court fees.

Rather, total revenue from court-related fees has been reduced because there have been fewer total cases, Anderson said.

Anderson believes the transfer of his two clerks was directly related to him firing the mayor's stepdaughter, Miranda Brakley, on June 7. Soderquist denies that allegation.

Monday, November 26, 2012

11262012 - News Article - Deadline extended for guilty plea in Portage slaying



Deadline extended for guilty plea in Portage slaying
Northwest Indiana Times

Bob Kasarda
November 26, 2012 - 6:30 pm

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage/deadline-extended-for-guilty-plea-in-portage-slaying/article_9fd3c09b-85c8-5a3e-926b-7b636a6920ba.html

VALPARAISO | A Jackson Township man charged in his estranged wife's slaying now has until Dec. 6 to accept a plea agreement.

A judge extended the deadline Monday after Fredrick Cashner Jr. declined to take action on an offer to plead guilty to murder in exchange for a prison sentence of 45 years.

The murder charge carries a potential sentence of 45 to 65 years.

Cashner has no prior criminal history and likely would not receive more than 55 years if found guilty at trial, Porter County Deputy Prosecutor Cheryl Polarek said after the court hearing.

Cashner is accused of killing his estranged wife, 50-year-old Cynthia Cashner, on April 24, 2011, by firing at least eight bullets into her body with a high-powered semiautomatic rifle.

Cynthia Cashner was found dead on an air mattress after police received a 911 call about 10:25 p.m. from the Mystic Moon Herbal Shoppe, 5830 U.S. 6, Portage, which she owned.

Dispatchers reportedly heard faint breathing on the line and nothing else, though on second review, detectives later heard a male voice in the background say, "It's too late," followed by three or four gunshots, police said.

If Cashner does not accept the proposed plea agreement, his case will go trial Jan. 7 before Porter Superior Court Judge Roger Bradford.


Sunday, November 25, 2012

11252012 - News Article - When Police Ignore The Law

 









 

Police don’t always follow the law when it comes to public information

Northwest Indiana Post Tribune

Some they do and some they don’t
And some you just can’t tell
Supertramp
“Goodbye Stranger”

Any ordinary person should be able to walk into any police department in the state and find out what’s going on in their community, law enforcement-wise.

Indiana’s Public Access Law requires law enforcement agencies to keep a list of all “suspected crimes, accidents or complaints” and list specific facts that must be included in that daily log.

This list “shall be made available for inspection and copying” to any member of the public, the law states.
But it’s not one of the laws police agencies fully abide. Asking to see a daily log can be met with cooperation, but more often questions, challenges and even a rude rebuff.

Most police departments in Lake and Porter counties follow some aspects of the law. Others appear to ignore the requirement altogether.

In that vast gray area in between, the information provided at the front counters of a sampling of area departments varies from a detailed account to a single terse word.

For example, when a rural Porter County man chased home invaders down U.S. 30 to Hobart’s retail corridor on Aug. 8, a series of events, involving multiple police agencies, followed: a car crash, foot pursuits, gunfire and the apparent suicide of one of the suspects. Three people were handcuffed and stashed in squad cars in full view of hundreds of shoppers, diners and motorists. The suspects were taken to the Hobart Police Department and held there until charges were filed in Porter County.

In their daily log, Hobart police described the entire event as “shooting.” Other arrests and calls contained in the department’s daily log are similarly brief and vague.

By contrast, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department’s log lists complete information about the complainant, the type of call, which officers responded and how it was resolved. A simple dispatch to check on the legality of a man digging a well on his own property warranted a full paragraph. Lake County’s only omission is ages of victims.


When involved in a high-profile case, such as the “shooting,” Hobart police limit release of information. Detectives often refuse to provide names of those arrested until the person has been formally charged in court.

In the days after the “shooting” in Hobart, Lt. David Grissom flatly refused to provide names of the three suspects in custody, saying the case was still being investigated. The Post-Tribune then asked to see a copy of the department’s jail sheet, which by law must include all arrests and summons, with details of charges, officers involved and circumstances. But City Attorney Anthony DeBonis said the department’s jail sheet would not include the suspects’ names because they were not arrested. Other police agencies acknowledged the suspects were being held at the Hobart jail.

Indiana Public Access Counselor Joseph Hoage, an appointee of the governor, said Hobart was wrong to deny the information.

“If they are arrested or summoned, then there’s a string of information that has to be provided in 24 hours,” Hoage said.


“Even if they were trying to get cute by saying the Hobart police didn’t arrest them, they still took them to the jail or lockup. I don’t know how they’d justify not releasing the names after 24 hours,” Hoage said.

Renowned defense attorney Larry Rogers, who represents one of the suspects in the Aug. 8 home invasion, agrees Hobart misconstrued the facts.

“They were absolutely arrested,” Rogers said. “They may be trying to split hairs between getting arrested and being in custody, but police don’t have to tell somebody they’re under arrest for them to be arrested,” Rogers said.

In addition, Hobart’s daily log entry of “shooting” is clearly not in compliance with the law, Hoage said.
Chief Jeff White did not return messages left by the Post-Tribune seeking comment.




Some that do
Lake County Sheriff’s police make a daily log available at the Bureau of Information on the second floor of the sheriff’s building. The information includes everything required by law except ages, written in plain language, easy to read and understand. Sheriff John Buncich’s log is the clearest and most available in the area.
 
The Gary Police Department maintains a daily bulletin available at the records desk on the first floor of the Public Safety Facility. A member of the public can view contents of the folder, which includes printouts of police calls and case numbers. If a report is needed, clerks can locate it by the number provided. Front desk personnel, officers and others within the police station use the bulletin to help the public and also to locate information they need in the course of their work.

The Griffith Police Department keeps a log and faxes it daily to reporters, but deletes victims’ names and other information that is required by law. Department spokesman Detective Lt. Matthew Argadine said he followed the established practice, but would review Lake County Sheriff’s daily log and make adjustments.

“We certainly want to do it the right way,” he said. The log is posted on a clipboard at the entrance of the police station daily.

The Porter County Sheriff’s Department provides a stack of daily reports, a practice that has continued for more than 30 years.


Reporters can read through accounts of burglaries, arrests, batteries and other calls for service. Only proprietary information is deleted.
Department spokesman Sgt. Larry LaFlower said he’s not aware of anyone except media representatives requesting to see the reports, but his office is willing to assist anyone.

“We get people coming in asking to see information about a certain person or an address. Our reporting system is really good, we can query a person, an address or even the unit number that went to a call. So when people ask for that kind of information, we are able to give it to them,” he said.

LaFlower also releases a daily roster of everyone brought to the Porter County Jail.

The Valparaiso Police Department makes a log available, but it’s in code. A man behind the counter at the police station entrance last month amiably provided a printout for all calls in a 24-hour period. The list shows the dates and times, the address, but the type of call and how it was resolved — such as an arrest — are not included.
Chief Michael Brickner said anyone who needs more detailed information on any call can ask for it, but also said he would review the daily log and make changes so it complies with the Indiana law.

The Portage Police Department faxes a fairly comprehensive list of calls to area reporters. Sgt. Keith Hughes, public information officer, said he releases a list of all arrests and other crimes. The department’s chief clerk, Barbara Vaughan, handles requests for information from the general public. Vaughan said the public is welcome to make an information request to her or any clerk, but it rarely happens.

The St. John Police Department issues daily emails to reporters with calls for service at their police department, including complaints, firearms permit applications and other routine business. Their log includes details required by law.



 
Some that don’t

Lake Station civilians working at the front desk of the Police Department responded to a request to see the log with resistance, hostility and then a flat refusal.

The woman who sits at the “administration” window said information about daily calls was maintained by the dispatchers and asked, “Who are you?”
 
But Indiana law prohibits public servants from requiring identification to obtain public record.

“So it’s against the law to ask who you are but we’re supposed to give you all this information?” the woman asked. She said only a lieutenant was authorized to release information, and he was in court all week.

After the unsuccessful visit, the Post-Tribune filed a complaint with Pubic Access Counselor Hoage. The city failed to respond, and the state ruled Lake Station had violated the law.

Lake Station Chief Kevin Garber later apologized and said employees have since been informed how to handle such encounters in the future. “I wasn’t aware there was supposed to be a log,” said Garber, who has been chief for less than a year.

All new chiefs are required to attend a week-long certification class within one year of being appointed. Lt. Steven Guthrie, an instructor at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield, said chiefs receive an overview of the public access law during the class.

 
Some you just can’t tell
Merrillville police for years have maintained two folders containing what administrators believe to be reports of interest to the area’s newspapers “as a courtesy,” Chief Joseph Petruch said. But asking to see the log as an ordinary member of the public was met with questions.

“Are you with the newspaper? Are you a landlord? Because then we can show you,” said a woman behind the counter. How about just a regular person? “Oh no, not the public,” she said, adding she’d been working there several years and was unfamiliar with the concept of a daily log for the public.
 
Later, Petruch said he was sorry about the confusion.

But the same day, a new Post-Tribune reporter who asked to see the folder left without even a peek.
“Before she hands out the file, she wants to make sure it’s for the paper. We do it as a courtesy,” the chief said. A day after that, reporters were told the policy to view public record was changing. Town attorney John Bushemi said he will review the law and work with the chief to ensure public information is available in the required format.

Hobart Chief White complained to a Post-Tribune editor that maintaining a daily log is cumbersome and time-consuming. Hoage said the law has been around, in some form, since 1983, and police agencies have no excuse to be unaware. If the task is overwhelming, Hoage said, cities should approach their elected state officials to seek a change. “I don’t think it’s too great a burden,” Hoage commented. “It’s not rocket science.”


Steve Key, executive director of the Hoosier State Press Association, recently wrote a column about attempts to obtain public information from police. He notes that authors of the law intended that authorities should help the public obtain the facts they seek. “That fits the intent of the legislature that ‘providing persons with the information is an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of public officials and employees.’”

Friday, November 23, 2012

11232012 - News Article - Another E.C. city employee to face federal charges



Another E.C. city employee to face federal charges
Times, The (Munster, IN)
November 23, 2012 
EAST CHICAGO -- The marina dockmaster of East Chicago is the latest municipal employee to be painted by federal prosecutors into a mosaic of alleged crimes and corruption dating back several decades. 

Richard Reyes, who remained employed last week as the East Chicago Marina dockmaster, was named earlier this month as one of 23 defendants in a sweeping gang indictment, Hammond federal court records and city officials confirmed. 

Federal prosecutors allege in the case the Imperial Gangsters street gang carried out murders and other organized crimes in the furtherance of its drug trade. 

Specifically, Reyes is charged in Hammond federal court with racketeering, conspiracy to deal cocaine and marijuana, murder in the aid of racketeering activity and murder resulting from the use and carrying of a firearm. 

Reyes, who is being held without bond by the U.S. Marshals and tentatively is scheduled to face trial next year, joins a long list of East Chicago civil servants named in organized crime or corruption cases. 

Reyes' Chicago-based attorney Jack Friedlander told The Times his client is innocent and he intends to defend Reyes "vigorously against false accusations." 

But historically, East Chicago city servants accused by federal authorities of illegal activity have a poor rate of acquittal. 

Holdover from corrupt era 
Reyes, who earns $31,368.22 per year as dockmaster, is a holdover employee from Mayor George Pabey 's administration, having been hired in May 2005, city records show. 

In the prior year, Pabey had defeated former Mayor Robert Pastrick. Pastrick's administration ultimately lost a federal civil racketeering lawsuit brought by the Indiana attorney general. 

Though Pastrick never faced criminal charges, a group of three city councilmen, a city controller, a parks superintendent and a city engineer were convicted of federal crimes in the scheme. The group, who collectively became known as the Sidewalk Six, was found guilty of perpetuating a scheme to curry votes by providing free concrete work for city residents. 

Pabey 's victory came with a hope among the city's electorate that reform of corrupt practices would follow. But Pabey , who once served as Pastrick's police chief, is now serving a five-year federal prison sentence following his 2010 conviction for stealing city resources and putting them into home improvement projects in his home in Gary's Miller neighborhood. 

Also convicted with Pabey was former East Chicago engineering supervisor Jose Camacho, who in 2011 was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for conspiring with Pabey to perform work on Pabey 's house on city time and with municipal resources. 

If viewed as a timeline of alleged corruption or crimes, Pastrick and Pabey would be two of the larger dots in a series of East Chicago civil servants caught up in the federal justice system over the past several decades. 

But many of the East Chicago municipal employees indicted over the years have been farther down the pecking order, and several of them have worn a badge. 

Crime with a police shield 
The late 1980s and early '90s marked an era of drug use and dealing in the East Chicago Police Department. 

In the late 1980s, police officers Donald Miller, Paul Muryasz and Thomas Campbell all pleaded guilty to dealing small amounts of cocaine to fellow officers. 

Also in the mid-1980s, seven police officers reportedly failed a drug-screening urine test, with cocaine being detected in one officer and marijuana in six others. 

The department allowed all officers to take a retest, and all seven then tested clean. But tempers flared in the department ranks, with some officers claiming the re-tested policemen had received preferential treatment. 

The police drug scandals did not end with the new millennium. 

In 2005, East Chicago patrol officer Eligah Johnson was charged by federal prosecutors with buying and selling drugs while on duty and in uniform. 

Johnson pleaded guilty to charges of dealing cocaine and a federal weapons-related charge in February 2006, according to court records. 

And Johnson's alleged supplier, East Chicago building inspector Veta Tyner, also pleaded guilty that same year to cocaine distribution, court records show. 

Second chance 
Being convicted of federal crimes doesn't always keep city employees from securing future employment with the municipality. 

In July 1988, police Sgt. Ronald W. Jackson was convicted of five federal felony drug charges, one for possessing cocaine with intent to sell it and four for using a telephone to arrange a drug transaction. 

Federal authorities alleged Jackson moonlighted as a bodyguard for a region drug kingpin. 

Jackson was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison. 



Despite his legal troubles, Jackson eventually was rehired by the city -- this time to work in the sewer department. East Chicago officials did not respond to Times requests this week seeking confirmation on whether Jackson remained an employee of the city. 

11232012 - News Article - Another E.C. city employee to face federal charges



Another E.C. city employee to face federal charges
Times, The (Munster, IN)
November 23, 2012
EAST CHICAGO -- The marina dockmaster of East Chicago is the latest municipal employee to be painted by federal prosecutors into a mosaic of alleged crimes and corruption dating back several decades. 

Richard Reyes , who remained employed last week as the East Chicago Marina dockmaster, was named earlier this month as one of 23 defendants in a sweeping gang indictment, Hammond federal court records and city officials confirmed. 

Federal prosecutors allege in the case the Imperial Gangsters street gang carried out murders and other organized crimes in the furtherance of its drug trade. 

Specifically, Reyes is charged in Hammond federal court with racketeering, conspiracy to deal cocaine and marijuana, murder in the aid of racketeering activity and murder resulting from the use and carrying of a firearm. 

Reyes , who is being held without bond by the U.S. Marshals and tentatively is scheduled to face trial next year, joins a long list of East Chicago civil servants named in organized crime or corruption cases. 

Reyes ' Chicago-based attorney Jack Friedlander told The Times his client is innocent and he intends to defend Reyes "vigorously against false accusations." 

But historically, East Chicago city servants accused by federal authorities of illegal activity have a poor rate of acquittal. 

Holdover from corrupt era 
Reyes , who earns $31,368.22 per year as dockmaster, is a holdover employee from Mayor George Pabey's administration, having been hired in May 2005, city records show. 

In the prior year, Pabey had defeated former Mayor Robert Pastrick. Pastrick's administration ultimately lost a federal civil racketeering lawsuit brought by the Indiana attorney general. 

Though Pastrick never faced criminal charges, a group of three city councilmen, a city controller, a parks superintendent and a city engineer were convicted of federal crimes in the scheme. The group, who collectively became known as the Sidewalk Six, was found guilty of perpetuating a scheme to curry votes by providing free concrete work for city residents. 

Pabey's victory came with a hope among the city's electorate that reform of corrupt practices would follow. But Pabey, who once served as Pastrick's police chief, is now serving a five-year federal prison sentence following his 2010 conviction for stealing city resources and putting them into home improvement projects in his home in Gary's Miller neighborhood. 

Also convicted with Pabey was former East Chicago engineering supervisor Jose Camacho, who in 2011 was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for conspiring with Pabey to perform work on Pabey's house on city time and with municipal resources. 

If viewed as a timeline of alleged corruption or crimes, Pastrick and Pabey would be two of the larger dots in a series of East Chicago civil servants caught up in the federal justice system over the past several decades. 

But many of the East Chicago municipal employees indicted over the years have been farther down the pecking order, and several of them have worn a badge. 

Crime with a police shield 
The late 1980s and early '90s marked an era of drug use and dealing in the East Chicago Police Department. 

In the late 1980s, police officers Donald Miller, Paul Muryasz and Thomas Campbell all pleaded guilty to dealing small amounts of cocaine to fellow officers. 

Also in the mid-1980s, seven police officers reportedly failed a drug-screening urine test, with cocaine being detected in one officer and marijuana in six others. 

The department allowed all officers to take a retest, and all seven then tested clean. But tempers flared in the department ranks, with some officers claiming the re-tested policemen had received preferential treatment. 

The police drug scandals did not end with the new millennium. 

In 2005, East Chicago patrol officer Eligah Johnson was charged by federal prosecutors with buying and selling drugs while on duty and in uniform. 

Johnson pleaded guilty to charges of dealing cocaine and a federal weapons-related charge in February 2006, according to court records. 

And Johnson's alleged supplier, East Chicago building inspector Veta Tyner, also pleaded guilty that same year to cocaine distribution, court records show. 

Second chance 
Being convicted of federal crimes doesn't always keep city employees from securing future employment with the municipality. 

In July 1988, police Sgt. Ronald W. Jackson was convicted of five federal felony drug charges, one for possessing cocaine with intent to sell it and four for using a telephone to arrange a drug transaction. 

Federal authorities alleged Jackson moonlighted as a bodyguard for a region drug kingpin. 

Jackson was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison. 



Despite his legal troubles, Jackson eventually was rehired by the city -- this time to work in the sewer department. East Chicago officials did not respond to Times requests this week seeking confirmation on whether Jackson remained an employee of the city. 

Friday, November 16, 2012

11162012 - News Article - 2 more Imperial Gangsters plead not guilty



2 more Imperial Gangsters plead not guilty
Post-Tribune (IN)
November 16, 2012 
Two more Imperial Gangster defendants pleaded not guilty Thursday afternoon to racketeering charges after a federal judge ruled that both be held without bond pending their trial. 

East Chicago residents Raymond Campos, 28, and Richard Reyes , 40, are two of the eight new defendants charged in the case last week, and Reyes also is charged with murdering Rene Alonzo in September 2007. 

Campos did not fight his detention, but Reyes ’ attorney, Jack Friedlander, argued that his client should be released despite the seriousness of the charges. 

Friedlander said that a grand jury had already convened on Alonzo’s killing five years ago but that no physical evidence existed then. Friedlander said he suspected the new evidence was testimony from other defendants who wanted to cut a deal with the government in their own cases. 

“I feel the evidence falls quite short,” Friedlander said of the lack of proof that Reyes is a danger to the community. 

He added that Reyes ’ last conviction was 11 years ago and that his only felony conviction was when he was 19. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nozick said those convictions were spread out over drugs, guns and violence charges, which was concerning. 

“He quite simply needs to be detained,” Nozick said. 



U.S. Judge Andrew Rodovich sided with Nozick, and ordered both Campos and Reyes held pending trial. A trial date is set for January, but that is expected to be continued after the announcement last week of a third superseding indictment. 

Saturday, November 10, 2012

11102012 - News Article - More federal charges filed against Imperial Gangsters



More federal charges filed against Imperial Gangsters
Post-Tribune (IN)
November 10, 2012 
Rene Alonzo’s family has waited more than five years to see justice for his killing. 

They, along with the families of three other victims, might finally receive it after the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced an expanded indictment in the East Chicago Imperial Gangsters racketeering case, including numerous murder counts connected to five more killings. 

“It’s been a long time coming,” Richard Alonzo, Rene’s father, said after hearing about the announcement. 

Murder charges 
Federal attorneys had already charged 15 people in the case, most of whom were charged with conspiracy to racketeer and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. The eight new defendants also face the same charges. 

Defendants in the case were already charged with murder counts connected to the killings of seven people. The new indictment adds five more, including: 

Anuar David Paez, killed July 24, 2004, in East Chicago. Ace Cortez, 33, of East Chicago, faces two murder counts in connection to Paez’s killing. 

Guadalupe Trevino, shot and killed as he and a friend were driving past Gary/Chicago International Airport on July 24, 2005. Jason Medina faces two counts of murder in the case. 

Alonzo, shot and killed after he agreed to drive someone to the U.S. Sports bar on Adler Street in East Chicago on Sept. 16, 2007. Witnesses said someone in a red van driving by fired the shots. Richard Reyes , 40, of East Chicago, faces two counts of murder in the case

Mario Soriano, killed on March 25, 2008, in Hammond. Julian Guillermo Serna, 23, of Munster, faces two counts of murder in the case. 

The conspiracy count also says that unnamed members of the Imperial Gangsters shot and killed Martin Navarro on July 7, 2004, in East Chicago while the 17-year-old was standing on his front porch. It also says Julius Solis, 23, of East Chicago, murdered Alonzo Cavanoz on May 3, 2009, although no charges were filed specifically in connection with those crimes. 

The indictment details other violent acts by the gangsters, including firebombing the house of a rival gang member and beating someone up because he refused to join the gang. 

Juan Briseno, who already faced 10 counts of murder in connection to five killings, is now also charged with three counts of attempted murder and three counts of using a gun in relation to a violent crime. Another new defendant, Julius Solis, also faces one count each of attempted murder and use of a gun during a violent crime. 

The indictment says Briseno has been in contact with his fellow gang members since his arrest more than two years ago, including telling them how to recruit new members, about the quality of drugs and the possibility that he might meet a new drug connection while in jail. 

“We are determined to rid Northwest Indiana of these (criminals),” U.S. Attorney David Capp said Friday afternoon at a news conference announcing the indictment. 

All the defendants charged with murder could face the death penalty, although a final decision to pursue that sentence would be made by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. Officials were supposed to discuss the possibility of doing so for Briseno at a meeting Monday in Washington, D.C. Capp said Friday he still does not have an answer on that but expects one soon. 

Probe to continue 
Capp said the investigation into the Imperial Gangsters remains ongoing. He credited the agencies involved — the FBI, ATF, Gary Police Department, East Chicago Police Department, Hammond Police Department and the Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area — for their cooperative work in bringing more charges. He also praised Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nozick, who has been prosecuting the case since it was announced a year ago, for his effort. 

East Chicago Police Chief Mark Becker said recent crime statistics from the FBI featured East Chicago “prominently” and that he had been asked by the media about his reaction to that. 

“A large part of my response is right here,” Becker said, pointing to the surrounding law enforcement officials. “Look at who’s standing up here, and unified we stand up here.” 

Bob Jones, special agent in charge of the FBI office in Indianapolis, said the Imperial Gangsters had waged violence on the community for years. 

“Not any more,” he said. 

Four of the new defendants — Raymond Campos, 28, of East Chicago; Eddie Torres, 42, of East Chicago; Reyes ; and Ace Cortez — were arrested Friday morning. The other new defendants — Salvador Chavez, 33, of Chicago; Darmaile Cortez Sutton, 29, of East Chicago; Serna; and Solis — were already in jail on other charges. 

Capp said the government will move to detain all of them without bond pending trial. 

Family pleased 
Rene Alonzo’s family said the charges won’t bring him back, but they’re still happy to hear someone will be held responsible. 

“It was great,” his father said of hearing the news. “... I always had hope that they would get the guy.” 

He said his son was a hard union worker who was employed with his father and brother at BP. Rene worked every day to provide for his two children and girlfriend, Erica Renee Badillo, Richard Alonzo said. They lived together in Griffith, and he had plans to build a new house. 

“He had no enemies,” Richard Alonzo said. 

Badillo said their children have had to live with the pain of not seeing him again. 

“The pain will always still be there,” she said. “It’s been tormenting my kids to be without their father.” 

Friday, November 2, 2012

11272012 - News Article - Stepdaughter of Lake Station mayor files discrimination claim against city judge



Stepdaughter of Lake Station mayor files discrimination claim against city judge
NWI Times
November 2, 2012 - 7:00 pm 

LAKE STATION | The stepdaughter of Mayor Keith Soderquist has filed a discrimination claim against City Judge Chris Anderson.

Miranda Brakley, who was fired from her court clerk position by Anderson, said the termination was based on retaliation and the fact she is a Hispanic woman.

The claim was filed earlier this year with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission in Indianapolis.

In the claim, Brakley said she began employment with the city of Lake Station on Jan. 1, 2008.

Before being discharged on June 7, Brakely had held the position of deputy court clerk.

In the court filing, Brakley said Anderson told her she was no longer a court clerk because of "trust" issues.

"I had never received any verbal or written write-ups with regard to my job performance," Brakley said in the claim.

Brakley said she was the only woman of Hispanic origin who worked in the court clerk's office.

"I believe that I have been discriminated against because of my sex, female; my national origin, Mexican; and retaliated against for reporting illegal actions in violation of the Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964," Brakley said in the claim.

Karen Bellinger, of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, said she could not comment on the case because of confidentiality laws.

Brakley could not be reached for further comment and Anderson declined to comment.

Soderquist said he had nothing to with his stepdaughter's case.

"I neither hired her nor fired her. Those issues are out of my control," Soderquist said.

Anderson filed a suit against city officials earlier this year after the City Council on June 13 transferred two clerk positions out of the judge's supervision and budget and into that of the clerk-treasurer.

One of those clerks was Brakley.

Anderson's supervision of the two clerk positions and related budget were restored on Oct. 28 following an agreed order issued by Lake Superior Court Judge Calvin Hawkins.

Anderson has said he believes the transfer was directly related to him firing Brakley.

Soderquist has continued to deny that allegation.

Friday, October 5, 2012

10052012 - News Article - U.S. attorney salutes IRS for latest round of charges



U.S. attorney salutes IRS for latest round of charges
Post-Tribune (IN)
October 5, 2012
As news of more public corruption in Lake County broke Thursday, local officials expressed concern and the need to continue fighting back against illegal actions by politicians. 

U.S. Attorney David Capp said during a news conference Thursday that the indictments came from his office’s “very active” task force investigating public corruption. Although Capp couldn’t explain why public officials in Lake County continue to violate the law despite the dozens of past convictions, he said his office will continue to pursue these cases. 

He gave credit to the FBI , the IRS and the Indiana State Police for helping investigate the cases, saying most of the indictments came from the hard work of the IRS. 

Rich Weber, chief of the IRS Criminal Investigation unit, said public corruption is a large focus for the IRS and public officials who do not file or file false tax returns “will simply not be tolerated.” 

Weber said the IRS does not focus on Northwest Indiana specifically but will investigate tax fraud anywhere. 

“Unexplained wealth has always been the Achilles’ heel of those who criminally violate their positions of trust,” Weber said. “ ... They are faced with a huge dilemma — enjoying the fruits of their crime without being detected by the IRS. Their efforts seem futile.” 

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said she was stunned at the indictment against Common Council member Marilyn Krusas. “I’m sorry to hear about it. I wish Marilyn the best. One of the things I’ve learned as an attorney is you’re innocent until proven guilty.” 

Gary Common Council President Kyle Allen Sr. said the news took him off-guard but that Krusas is innocent until proven guilty. 

“It’s unfortunate, and I hate to see it happen,” Allen said. “I was surprised.” 

Merrillville Town Council President Shawn Pettit said the town will aggressively seek restitution from former Town Court clerk Virlissa Crenshaw like it did with former bookkeeper Rosemary Barath, who also stole money from the town. 

“We want to recoup as much as we can as quickly as we can,” said Pettit. “If there’s a reverse mortgage, PERF (Public Employee Retirement Fund), whatever, we’ll go after it. (Clerk-Treasurer) Gene (Guernsey) won’t let that money go.” 

The bulk of the money Barath took was reimbursed through a reverse mortgage on her house. The town also received her pension. 

Pettit said Crenshaw’s actions were unfortunate for the town and its employees. 

Pettit said he did not know if the town could seek repayment of the full $310,325 Crenshaw is believed to have stolen, or just the $176,763 named in the plea agreement signed by Crenshaw. 

He applauded Town Court Judge Gina Jones for working diligently with the Indiana State Police on the matter and called Crenshaw’s actions unfortunate. 

“You would have thought employees would’ve learned from Rosemary. It’s a shame one or two bad apples ruin it for everyone else,” Pettit said, adding most town employees are hard-working and honest. 

Jones, who initiated the investigation when she noticed discrepancies, would not comment on the indictment on Thursday. 

Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott Jr. said the indictment of City Councilman Alfonso Salinas was not surprising considering federal investigators interviewed city employees, including the mayor. 

“It’s not a big shock,” McDermott said. “It’s sad since I know Al on a personal level; he’s a nice man with a nice family. But if it’s true, he let the city down.” 

McDermott said the city had done business with Munster businessman David Johnson for years but that relationship is “completely severed now.” 

McDermott said East Chicago City Council member Juda Parks pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, so he would not lose his elected office. 

“It wouldn’t be my right to encourage him to leave,” said McDermott, who is the chairman of the Lake County Democratic Party. “From what I understand, failure to file (income taxes) is obviously not good, but it’s comparatively minor.” 

Correspondents Michelle L. Quinn and Karen Caffarini contributed to this story.