IFIRE.org

#14 BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Vehicular Homicide – Interstate Flight to avoid Prosecution.

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/4384408/detail.html

Man Accused Of Leaving Fatal-Crash Scene Arrested
22-Year-Old Apprehended In Delaware

POSTED: 3:20 pm EDT April 15, 2005
UPDATED: 8:52 pm EDT April 15, 2005

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- A man accused of leaving the scene of a two-vehicle crash that killed an Indiana University student was arrested Friday morning in Delaware, IU police said.

Meliton Espinosa Praxedis, 22, also known as Alberto DeJesus, was arrested in an apartment in New Castle County, Del., on a warrant charging him with leaving the scene of Monday's crash in Bloomington.
Police said Praxedis, who they said is an illegal alien, admitted that he was the driver of a station wagon involved in a crash that killed Ashley L. Crouse, 21, of Carmel.

Authorities said Praxedis (pictured, left) had the right of way at the intersection of Third Street and Hawthorne Avenue when the station wagon crashed with a Jeep on Monday night.

Crouse, a passenger in the Jeep, was ejected and died early Tuesday at a Bloomington hospital. She wasn't wearing a seat belt, police said.

Moments before the crash, the Jeep was at a flashing red light and the station wagon was facing a flashing yellow light, police said.

Police said they believe Praxedis had been drinking alcohol before the crash and was speeding when the wreck happened. Accident reconstructionists still are investigating, RTV6's Tanya Spencer reported.

The Jeep's driver and a second passenger were treated at a hospital and released.

On Thursday, IU police said they learned that the man they suspected of leaving the crash scene had boarded a bus bound for Delaware. Investigators initially had difficulty determining the man's real name, according to the IU Police Department's Keith Cash.

"We had numerous names on the person (and) numerous Social Security numbers, which made it difficult," Cash said.

Praxedis was being held in a Delaware jail on Friday, awaiting extradition to Indiana.

#15 NOBLESVILLE, Ind. -- Gang Rape of a minor.

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/9538280/detail.html

Man Charged With Participating In Gang-Rape Of Girl

POSTED: 6:45 pm EDT July 18, 2006

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. -- A man is under arrest on suspicion of being one of up to four people who allegedly raped a 14-year-old girl near Noblesville last week.

Miguel Gutierrez, 20, who authorities say is an illegal immigrant from Mexico, faces two counts of rape.

Authorities said the 14-year-old was among three girls who visited an acquaintance at a party at a Noblesville area home. At the party, the 14-year-old was given alcohol and was taken to a garage area, where she was raped by up to four people early Thursday, authorities said.

Afterward, one of the attackers forced her into a car and raped her again, authorities said.

"She's been manipulated through the use of alcohol and she (had) multiple males assaulting her. It's got to be a woman's worst nightmare," Hamilton County Prosecutor Sonia Leerkamp said Tuesday.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Gutierrez was the only person to be arrested in the case. Police said the girl identified him in a photo array provided by investigators.

Gutierrez, during an interview with 6News in the Hamilton County Jail on Tuesday, said he was at the party but insisted that the girl incorrectly identified him as one of the attackers.

Gutierrez said he was asleep when the girl allegedly was raped, 6News' Jeremy Brilliant reported.

If convicted, Gutierrez could receive a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

#16 Indianapolis - Human Trafficking

http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?s=6660069

Police uncover human trafficking on I-70
July 18, 2007 03:23 PM EDT

Steve Jefferson/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - A traffic stop led to the discovery of a human trafficking case in central Indiana.

Rolando Gomez and Roberto Can spent Wednesday night in jail. Around 10:00 pm Wednesday, Metro Officer Richard Wilkerson pulled them over at I-70 mile marker 73 for going 67 mph in a 55 mph zone.

Ten people emerged from their Chevy Astro van including under-aged girls among the five females.

"The women that were involved in it had paid what is a fee out of Mexico, actually they came from Guatemala," Lt. Jeff Duhamell said.

The young girls and women referred to Rolando Gomez as a "coyote." They reportedly paid him big money to smuggle them into the US.

"A coyote is a term that is used to smuggle people in the United States, and they usually have to pay $1500 to $2500 per person," said Lt. Duhamell.

Police ordered the van, which still has a road atlas on the front seat, towed. One passenger left behind a shoe.

The van seats seven comfortably, so finding 12 people inside is a red flag to officers trained to spot human trafficking.

In 2006, local police arrested three men for human trafficking after a victim escaped.

Undercover officers say voluntary smuggling is just as bad.

"When they do wind up here and we do find them, it's not like they have a family here they can stay with while this is going on," Lt. Sheperd said.

The women and young girls found in the van are now at the Julian Center on North Meridian Street where counselors hope to locate family in Mexico, especially for the young girls so far away from relatives.

According to officers, one of the young girls inside the van who was no more than 12 years old didn't even realize she was in Indiana.

"As long as you can keep them in the dark and keep them scared that is more control you have over them," Lt. Sheperd said.

Despite police intervention, the accused smugglers will hit the road again. Officers hope without illegal cargo.

#17 Indianapolis - Human Trafficking

http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?s=4862401

Fight leads police to human trafficking scheme
Steve Jefferson/Eyewitness News
May 4, 2006 -

A Greyhound Station Security guard broke up a fight and uncovered a high-priced human trafficking scheme in the process. The fight involved an illegal immigrant trying to get away after he was smuggled into Indiana. Prosecutors say he's one of several undocumented workers forced to pay big money to cross the border.

"It scared me a lot once I found out what happened," said Heather Cooper, who fears a little less now that her three neighbors are in jail.

They're charged in an unbelievable human trafficking scheme involving illegal immigrants. Cooper lives in the Green Tree Apartments in southern Marion County.

"There were lots of people coming and going. I just thought they were friends or something," she said.

Investigators believe Rolando Marcial-Hernandez, Jose DeJesus Palacios and Sergio Felix-Martinez smuggled at least 22 immigrants into Indiana.
Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi announced felony charges against the trio outside their apartment. Brizzi says the men confined 22 people, ordering them to pay at least a $1,500 transport fee.

"That price went up. First it was $1,500, then once they had them and basically had them captive," Brizzi said.

People who live in the same building heard lots of noise from the apartment. Prosecutors learned the suspects restricted the immigrants' every move.

"They were not allowed to shower. They were not allowed to do laundry. They all slept in one area and were allowed one egg per day," Brizzi said.
"You would hear the noise, the running up and down the stairs, the slamming the doors and people arguing," Cooper said.

A neighbor helped one of the men escape by purchasing a Greyhound Bus ticket to Pennsylvania. The human trafficking scheme came to light when the trio attacked their escapee at the bus station. That led authorities back to the apartment, but the remaining illegal immigrants fled.

"There is reason to believe this is not a one-time thing," said Brizzi.
The prosecutor's office intends to hold the trio accountable for smuggling and confining people desperate to make Indiana home at any cost.

In a separate case, another Indiana man is also in trouble with the law for hiring illegal immigrants to work in several midwest states. Thursday morning, a Fargo, North Dakota judge ordered a mental health evaluation for 28-year-old Robert Porcisanu. He's charged with money laundering, making false statements plus conspiring to harbor and transport illegals. Prosecutors say Porcisanu ran a stucco business in Franklin and transported employees to construction sites in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. If convicted, he faces 40 years in prison.

#18. Evansville--Oct./2006--Drunk driver hits, overturns schoolbus, flees

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2006/n ... walks-off/

Suspect in bus crash walks off
By GAVIN LESNICK
Courier & Press staff writer 464-7449 or lesnickg@courierpress.com
Originally published 12:00 a.m., November 29, 2006
Updated 11:24 p.m., November 28, 2006

More than a month after an alleged drunken driver plowed into a school bus carrying Culver Elementary School students, the suspect still has not been apprehended.

Evansville Police Chief Brad Hill expressed regret at a series of events that led to the driver, Gabino Gonzalez, 25, walking away from the hospital without being arrested, but defended his officers' handling of the case.




Hill also dismissed recent criticism from some who have suggested that officers would have arrested Gonzalez if the accident had not happened in a Center City neighborhood with

mostly minority victims.

The accident occurred Oct. 24 when Gonzalez, driving south on Shadywood Avenue, slammed into the bus, which was eastbound on Sweetser Avenue.

The force of the impact toppled the bus onto its side, though all of its occupants - 13 students and the driver - escaped serious injury.

Police think Gonzalez, who suffered injuries in the accident, disregarded a yield sign before hitting the bus. He also reportedly had been drinking, and tested a blood alcohol level nearly four times the legal limit, according to the police report.

Gonzalez was taken to the hospital, but was not kept under police supervision and left without being arrested.

Hill recently discussed the case with the Rev. Gerald Arnold, president of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Arnold said he and Hill share disappointment that Gonzalez was not apprehended. But Arnold said he believes the Police Department did err in letting Gonzalez go free. He also said he does not think race had anything to do with it.

"I do know there are instances where race is a big factor," Arnold said. "But in this particular situation, I can't really say that race was a factor more so than the law just didn't do what it was supposed to do. This man was drunk. He should never have been let go."

The Rev. William Garrett, a member of Evansville Ministers & Deacons Alliance of Evansville, said that group has discussed the issue and he believes the black community should be outraged.

Garrett said he believes the Police Department typically does a good job in Evansville, but in this case it failed.

"Let's look at the facts," Garrett said. "It's in an inner city neighborhood, it's in the projects. And most, if not all, of the kids are African-American. And nothing was done. It's just unacceptable. Those kids could have been killed or maimed for life. And now we can't even find the guy who did this."

Hill disagreed and said officers did an excellent job in responding, attending to the children, calming them and dealing with the crime scene.

"The race of the kids on the bus had nothing to do with it whatsoever," Hill said. "Kids are kids, and these officers were treating these kids like kids ... The only thing that wasn't done is this guy was not arrested that night. But he will be arrested at some point, I hope."

That he was not arrested was because of a series of unusual challenges the case posed, Hill said.

Because the only person to suffer a major injury in the accident was Gonzalez, Hill said it initially appeared he would only face misdemeanor charges, even when officers weighed the severity of the crime against the Indiana Code.

And in cases where a suspect must be admitted to the hospital, especially if there is no felony charge, Hill said it is common for officers not to stand guard with the suspect. If they did, Hill said, that would not only require taking an officer away from their normal patrol, but it also would make any hospital bills the responsibility of local government.

It was not until after Gonzalez had been released from the hospital that the prosecutor's office charged him with a felony for criminal mischief stemming from damage he caused to the school bus itself.

Hill said his biggest regret was not communicating better with the hospital to ensure officers were at least aware as Gonzalez was being discharged.

"I would have liked it if we could have gone ahead and placed him in custody when he was released from the hospital," Hill said. "It's unfortunate that that didn't occur."

St. Mary's Medical Center, where Gonzalez was treated, has a written policy on releasing information on patients to law enforcement agencies. In general, spokesman Jeff Jones said, St. Mary's will work with police to provide condition and other basic information. But, he said it will alert police only when a patient is discharged if it is compelled to do so in a subpoena or court order.

In the days after Gonzalez's release, officers kept watch at several locations he was known to frequent, but they could not find him.

Because he is charged with a felony, Hill said, if Gonzalez is stopped for any offense elsewhere, he immediately will be arrested and returned to Evansville. But, he said there is consideration that Gonzalez may be an illegal immigrant, which raises the likelihood that he could already have left the country.

And Hill admitted that if Gonzalez did that, it would make an arrest a lot more difficult.

"If he leaves the country, it's unlikely that we're going to find him," Hill said. "I don't know that that's occurred, but that's obviously a possibility. But ultimately, it's not going to go away. The charges will stay out there."

All in all, Hill said everyone should be thankful no one on the bus was seriously hurt.

"The greatest thing about this story is that no one was seriously injured on that bus," he said. "That's a wonderful thing."

#19. Ft. Wayne--Aug/2005?--kidnapping, rape and murder of child. Murder of his own wife and children.

http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs ... e=printart

Published: October 1, 2007 6:00 a.m.
Rios set to hear judge's sentence
Likely fate in slayings: 4 life terms, no parole
By Rebecca S. Green
The Journal Gazette
Advertisement

The 22-month saga that has been the case of the State of Indiana vs. Simon Rios reaches a conclusion today.

The 35-year-old Mexican national is scheduled to be sentenced to four terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Rios, who admitted to killing his wife and three young daughters just days after he abducted, raped and murdered a 10-year-old classmate of his eldest daughter, will sit before Allen Superior Judge Fran Gull for a final time.

Court officials are expecting the family of Rios’ wife, Ana Casas, having traveled from Mexico to Fort Wayne, to be on hand to hear Gull hand down the sentence.

Rios’ sentencing for the crimes falls on the day his month-long trial was set to begin. In recent months, preparations for the trial seemed to gain momentum – preparations that included court visits to Clarke County for jury selection planning, hearings about Rios’ mental capacity, motions requesting delays and more hearings.

But during a hearing Aug. 31– originally scheduled to discuss information related to whether he was mentally retarded – Rios pleaded guilty to four counts of murder and two counts of moving a body from the scene of a violent or suspicious death.

As part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, Rios will be spared the death penalty and his court-appointed attorneys, Michelle Kraus and John Nimmo withdrew their request to have Rios declared mentally retarded. Had Rios been found to be mentally retarded, he would have been ineligible for the death penalty or a sentence of life without parole under federal law.

Rios has been behind bars since he was arrested at his South Calhoun Street home just after 5 a.m. Dec. 13, 2005. He admitted to striking his wife, Ana Casas-Rios, 28, with a steel pipe and strangling her, then strangling their three daughters: Liliana, 10; Katherine, 4; and Thannya, 20 months.

Just a few days earlier, on Dec. 8, 2005, a bright-eyed, 10-year-old Alejandra Gutierrez left for her south-side school bus stop but never made it to her school. An agonizing search by a concerned community stretched on for days, but it wasn’t until Rios confessed to police Dec. 18, 2005, and drew them a map that the girl was found – frozen in the snow at a Delaware County gravel pit – on Dec. 19, 2005.

On Sept. 17, Rios stood before a judge in Delaware County and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, as well as an additional 100 years, after pleading guilty to charges of rape, child molesting and murder in the death of Alejandra.

The Gutierrez family did not attend the hearing, but through the Fort Wayne Police Department’s victim’s advocate they told Delaware Circuit Judge Marianne Vorhees they did not wish to see Rios executed.

Instead, they said, they would rather see Rios haunted by the memory of the girl for the rest of his life.

rgreen@jg.net

******************************************************************
UPDATE

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... 8810100443



October 10, 2008
Killer commits suicide in prison

Man who murdered his wife, 3 daughters, another girl hangs himself, officials say
By Ken Kusmer
Associated Press

An illegal immigrant serving five life terms for the strangling deaths of his wife, three young daughters and a neighborhood girl in Fort Wayne apparently took his own life Thursday by hanging himself, authorities said.

Simon Rios, 36, was found in his cell at the Pendleton Correctional Facility about 25 miles northeast of Indianapolis at 12:29 a.m. Thursday, prison spokesman David Barr said. Rios was pronounced dead about 40 minutes later, after guards and medical personnel couldn't revive him.

There were no signs of foul play, Barr said. An autopsy was scheduled.

His attorney, Michelle Kraus, Fort Wayne, said Rios left a note requesting his remains be returned to his native Mexico.

"I'm very sad. I know he did a very evil thing, and he always knew he did a very evil thing. He always expressed remorse to me," Kraus said.

Rios fatally beat and strangled his wife, Ana Casas-Rios, 28, and strangled their three daughters, Liliana, 10, Katherinne, 4, and 20-month-old Thannya, on Dec. 13, 2005, in their Fort Wayne home.

Five days earlier, he had lured 10-year-old Alejandra Gutierrez, a former classmate of Liliana's, into his van as she waited at a school bus stop. Authorities say he raped and strangled her, then dumped her body in a gravel pit 50 miles away, near Muncie. Her body was found 11 days after she vanished.

"I don't want anybody to ever lose sight that he is not a victim here," said Allen County Prosecutor Karen Richards, who tried Rios. "He killed his wife and four little girls. They are the victims here."

Rios died a year and eight days after he received four life sentences for the murders of his family and two counts of moving a body from a death scene. He previously had received a life sentence for Alejandra's murder, rape and molestation.

Alejandra's disappearance, the slayings of Rios' wife and daughters, and investigators' discovery of Alejandra's frozen body while following a tip from Rios gripped the state nearly three years ago. A standing-room-only crowd packed St. Patrick Catholic Church in Fort Wayne for the girl's funeral, presided over by Bishop John D'Arcy the day after Christmas.

Two school employees who failed to alert Gutierrez's family that she hadn't arrived for class the day she disappeared resigned after her body was found. Six school districts and eight government agencies later formed a partnership to respond to child abductions quickly.

#20 Indianapolis - Drug Possession - Dealing marijuana

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/12515185/detail.html

Police Make 2 Arrests In Marijuana Raid
Police Intercept Boxes Filled With Marijuana
POSTED: 12:50 pm EDT April 19, 2007

INDIANAPOLIS -- Police said more than 100 pounds of marijuana was intercepted before it hit the Indianapolis streets earlier this week.

Investigators said three boxes full of marijuana were recovered before they could be delivered. Police said they were intended to be dropped off at Indy Auto Shop, in the 3800 block of East Michigan Street.

Police said Alfredo Cardenas, 22, and Isaac Villarreal, 20, of Brownsville, Tex., picked up the boxes and took them to a Days Inn Motel, in the 7300 block of East 21st Street.
.
Cardenas and Villarreal were charged with dealing drugs and possession of marijuana.

#21 Indianapolis - Possession of false identification - Dealing Drugs
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/13557279/detail.html

Indy Drug Bust Gets $100K Worth Off Streets
Officers Raid Northwest-Side Apartment
POSTED: 6:38 am EDT June 23, 2007
UPDATED: 6:58 am EDT June 23, 2007

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Metro police found a large stash of marijuana in a drug bust Friday at an apartment on Indianapolis' northwest side.

More than 100 pounds of marijuana and a stash of weapons were found during the bust near 47th Street and Georgetown Road, 6News' Cheryl Jackson reported.

Juan Teran, 39, faces charges of drug possession and dealing. An undercover officer said he made a deal with Teran to purchase 10 pounds of marijuana, but officers found much more.

Police found Teran after another alleged drug dealer identified him.
"He provided us information that led to the seizure of this 100 pounds worth of raw marijuana," said IMPD Officer Todd Wellman.

Neighbors told 6News that there were a lot of visitors to the apartment where the drugs were found.

"We did also seize … several identifications we believe to be false or aliases, in addition to a small amount of crack cocaine," Wellman said.

According to police, the drugs they seized have a street value of about $100,000.

"To be able to clean up a small apartment complex, as well as part of the west side of Indianapolis, is phenomenal," Wellman said.

Police said they think Teran had at least two accomplices and that they are looking for them.

# 22 EDINBURGH, Ind - Felony possession of marijuana, Felony maintaining a common nuisance and Misdemeanor false informing.

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/10677945/detail.html

Police Find $50K In Marijuana Thanks To Tip
POSTED: 7:50 am EST January 5, 2007
UPDATED: 8:39 am EST January 5, 2007

EDINBURGH, Ind. -- Columbus and Edinburgh police seized almost 50 pounds of marijuana on Wednesday after they got a tip about drug activity.

Police searched the home of Juan Aguilar, 24, and found the drug and three handguns, investigators said.
The marijuana has a street value of more than $50,000.

Aguilar is held at the Bartholomew County Jail, charged with felony possession of marijuana, felony maintaining a common nuisance and misdemeanor false informing.

#23 INDIANAPOLIS – Federal Indictments on Drug Cartel

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/4719856/detail.html

Authorties: Indictments Break Up Major Cocaine Operation
19 Charged With Having Involvement In Cartel
POSTED: 5:16 pm EDT July 13, 2005

INDIANAPOLIS -- Authorities say a series of federal drug indictments has dried up a major source of the cocaine trade in Indianapolis and Chicago.

Grand jurors on Tuesday indicted 17 people who investigators say were involved in a drug cartel that smuggled cocaine from Mexico and California to Chicago and Indianapolis. U.S. Attorney Susan Brooks announced the charges Wednesday at a news conference in Indianapolis.

Another person was indicted on accusations of being an accessory by hindering the arrest of a trafficking suspect. In a previous indictment, two other people were charged with having involvement in the cartel.

"This investigation marks the final chapter in the dismantlement of a significant drug organization that reached from Guadalajara, Mexico, all the way to the east side streets of Indianapolis," said Dennis Wichern of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Seven of those indicted are still at large. The rest -- including Juan Carlos Bermudez, a Mexican who is accused of leading the cartel -- are in custody.

Officials say the group hired couriers to smuggle cocaine and money between Mexico and the Midwest in vehicles outfitted with secret compartments.

The indictments allege that in a four-month period last year, the cartel smuggled more than 60 kilograms of cocaine -- worth about $6.6 million -- to Indianapolis

The indictments follow an investigation called Operation Money Clip, which began after federal officials in Chicago seized more than $1.1 million worth of cocaine in October 2003, authorities said.

Authorities said a duplex on the 1300 block of Tecumseh Street in Indianapolis was one of the group's main stash houses in the city, RTV6's Tanya Spencer reported.

Most of those indicted could face up to life in prison if they're convicted.

The following people were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine:

• Juan Carlos Bermudez, of Mexico (in custody)
• Javier Rodriguez, 36, of Indianapolis (in custody)
• Jose Calderon, 33, of Indianapolis (in custody)
• Luis Correa, age unknown, of southern California and Mexico (wanted)
• Jose Alfredo Amaral-Estrada, 25, of Chicago (in custody)
• Veronica Avila, 31, of southern California (in custody)
• Jose Iribe, 24, of Mexico (in custody)
• Leon Anderson, 32, of Indianapolis (in custody)
• Charles Anderson, 34, of Indianapolis (in custody)
• Andres Butron, 32, of Chicago (in custody)
• Jose Zavala, 21, of Indianapolis and Mexico (wanted)
• Freddy Adan Sosa-Verdeja, 26, of Chicago and Mexico (wanted)
• Evarardo Lira-Esquivel, 40, of Chicago (in custody)
• Darrell Phillips, 33, of Indianapolis (wanted)
• Willie Powell, 34, of Indianapolis (wanted)
• Robert Miller, 39, of Indianapolis (wanted)
• Eddie Cunningham, 32, of Indianapolis (wanted)

The following were indicted earlier on allegations of having involvement in the cartel:
• Kenneth Davenport, 29, of Indianapolis (in custody)
• Maria Garnica, 49, of southern California (in custody)

#24 INDIANAPOLIS – Possession of Cocaine with intent to distribute.

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/1842400/detail.html

Police: Drugs With Potential Worth Of $1.5M Taken From Car
Authorities Say Cocaine Was Headed From Chicago To Indy
POSTED: 11:14 am EST December 17, 2002


INDIANAPOLIS -- Troopers confiscated 15 kilograms of pure cocaine -- worth about $1.5 million if it were to be diluted -- during a traffic stop Monday night on Interstate 65, the Indiana State Police said.

The drugs were found in a hidden compartment of a vehicle that was stopped because it wasn't properly displaying a license plate, police said.
Police arrested the car's driver, identified as a 17-year-old male.

Police said they believe the drugs (pictured, left) were being delivered from Chicago to Indianapolis.

A trooper made the stop around 8 p.m. on southbound I-65, just north of the 71st Street exit ramp, police said.

A second, Spanish-speaking trooper arrived to speak with the driver, who apparently could speak only Spanish. The driver didn't initially tell police where he had come from or where he was going. The vehicle was not registered to him, police said.

Because of these circumstances, the troopers searched the vehicle, leading to the drug discovery.

Federal authorities are expected to get involved in the case to help track the drug supply, RTV6's Vicki Duncan reported.

A kilogram equals about 2.2 pounds.

One kilogram of pure cocaine has a street value of about $20,000, according to police. However, if the cocaine were to be diluted, the same kilogram would have a street value of about $100,000, police said.

#25 INDIANAPOLIS – Class A felony - Dealing cocaine.
In Hamilton County class C felony charges of Dealing marijuana.

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/10425659/detail.html

Carmel Resident Accused Of Being Major Drug Dealer
Man, Woman Arrested In Indianapolis; Cocaine, Marijuana Seized

POSTED: 7:15 pm EST November 29, 2006
UPDATED: 12:57 pm EST November 30, 2006

CARMEL, Ind. --One of two illegal immigrants who were arrested in a drug-dealing sting last week is a major drug dealer and the subject of a multistate investigation, police said Wednesday.

Police said Librado Plata, 24, and a woman who lives with him in Carmel, Sheila Varo, 23, were arrested Nov. 21 on suspicion of selling 1 kilogram of cocaine to a police informant for $20,000 on Indianapolis' northeast side.

When investigators searched their Carmel home several days later, they found and seized 200 pounds of marijuana, Carmel police Maj. Randy Schalburg said.

Plata was a target of a multistate investigation and is suspected of "moving hundreds of pounds of cocaine and thousands of pounds of marijuana over the past several years," Schalburg told 6News' Jennifer Carmack.

Police said Plata and Varo are in the United States illegally, and that the seized drugs came from Mexico.

In Marion County, both Plata and Varo face class A felony charges of dealing cocaine. In Hamilton County, they face class C felony charges of dealing marijuana.

Plata was being held Wednesday with bond set at $500,000. Varo was being held with bond set at $60,000.

# 26 Indianapolis – Possession of Marijuana with intent to distribute. Possession of Cocaine with intent to distribute.

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/5364106/detail.html

Police Find Millions Of Dollars Worth Of Drugs Inside Home

POSTED: 6:38 pm EST November 19, 2005
UPDATED: 7:40 pm EST November 19, 2005

INDIANAPOLIS -- Narcotics detectives say a tip from out of state led them to a large drug find on Indianapolis' southeast side Saturday.

Police found more than 1,000 pounds of professionally packaged marijuana and about a pound of cocaine inside a residence in the 2000 block of Green Rock Lane. The cocaine had been separated into individual bags intended for sale on the street, RTV6's Jeremy Brilliant reported.

Police said they found the drugs underneath mattresses and inside vehicles at the residence. Police believe the drugs came from the western U.S. and were going to be distributed in central Indiana.

"It looks like it's a drug-trafficking organization stash house where they bring the drugs and store it for distribution at a later time," said Indianapolis police Sgt. Paul McDonald.

Police didn't put an exact monetary value on the drug find, but McDonald said the street value would have been in the millions of dollars.

The house, complete with Christmas decorations in the front yard and lights around the house, is in relatively quiet neighborhood. Neighbors were shocked to learn about what was in the home.

"They're never around. They're real quiet," said neighbor Michelle Bowen. "They never cause any problems. They're never nosy. So, when I came home from work today and saw all the police out there, I was in shock more than anything."

Police said the home was being rented. Officials are looking for three Hispanic men who were seen running away from the residence.

Police said one of the men left his wallet behind, next to a pile of drugs. The wallet contained an identification card.

Police have not yet released the names of any suspects.

Preliminary Note: The reporter of this story, Derrick Thomas, was communicated with and he indicated the employee was likely an Illegal Alien.

#27 MT. COMFORT, Ind. -- Illegal Alien restaurant employee with Tuberculosis

http://www.theindychannel.com/health/11 ... etail.html

Restaurant's Workers Have TB Tests After Employee Dies
Health Department: No Danger Of Food Contamination
POSTED: 7:32 pm EDT March 12, 2007

MT. COMFORT, Ind. -- Health department workers administered tuberculosis tests to employees of a McDonald's restaurant Monday after a co-worker tested positive for the disease and died.

The person who died worked at the McDonald's off Interstate 70's Mt. Comfort Road exit in western Hancock County. She tested positive for tuberculosis at the time of her death, 6News' Derrik Thomas reported.

Dr. Ray Haas of the Hancock County Health Department said customers of that McDonald's shouldn't be concerned about the food or drinks that the worker had handled.

"There should be no real danger unless somebody was really in real direct contact with the person for an extended period of time," Haas said. "There is certainly no danger from eating as far as any type of food or drink contamination or anything like that."

Employees of the restaurant received shots there Monday. The restaurant's owner said he is cooperating fully with health department officials.

The restaurant will continue to operate, and it was doing brisk business Monday, Thomas reported.

Justin Carder, who said he worked at the restaurant with the infected employee until he left in October, said he is trying to determine whether he will get a free test like the current McDonald's workers.

"A colleague of mine is still an employee at McDonald's, and he had informed me to get myself checked out (because) I worked with her," Carder said. "I called the health department to see if I was
on any list there to be tested for free, and as of right now, they don't know if I'm on the list."

Tuberculosis is a disease in which a certain type of bacteria attacks part of the body -- often the lungs -- according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If not treated properly, the disease can be fatal.

Symptoms of tuberculosis include a sensation of not feeling well; a cough, at first with yellow or green mucus and occasionally blood as the disease progresses; fatigue; shortness of breath; weight loss; and pain in the chest, back or kidneys, or perhaps all three, according to WebMD.com.

28. Indianapolis--2004--forgery, fraud, conspiracy, unlawful production of identity documents, false use of passports

Posted on Tue, Jul. 13, 2004
News-Sentinel

Trio charged in BMV license scam

The three allegedly helped Chinese nationals illegally obtain driver's licenses.

By Rick Callahan

of The Associated Press


INDIANAPOLIS -- A translator, her husband and another man were formally charged Monday in a scam that allegedly helped Chinese nationals illegally obtain Indiana driver's licenses and identification cards.

Elizabeth Lang, 40, of Greenwood, was charged in U.S. District Court along with her husband, Adam Lang, 41, of Hollywood, Fla., and David Gu, 34, of Elmhurst, N.Y.

Federal prosecutors have described Elizabeth Lang as the scheme's mastermind. She worked as a translator who was hired by Chinese-speaking people seeking driver's licenses at Bureau of Motor Vehicles branches.

After her arrest last November on a forgery charge, federal investigators said she told them she helped more than 100 people illegally obtain IDs for about $800 each.

A June indictment alleged that the Langs acquired fraudulent Chinese driver's licenses and translated them into English so Chinese nationals could use them to get Indiana driver's licenses or identification cards.

The indictment said that the scam took place from late 2000 through November 2003.

Elizabeth Lang was charged with all eight counts in the indictment including conspiracy and unlawful production of identification documents, forgery, fraud and false use of passports, visas and other immigration documents.

Also named in the indictment were Yi Fu Cheng, also known as Steve Cheng, 40, of Flushing, N.Y., and Yang Chengdong, 40, also of Flushing, who remains at large. Cheng, Chengdong, Adam Lang and Gu face fewer charges.

Federal judge Kennard Foster entered not guilty pleas on behalf of the Langs and Gu. All three were released after agreeing to surrender their passports.

Adam Lang's attorney, Martin Solomon, said Lang and his wife are estranged. Adam Lang has lived in Florida since 2002, Solomon said.

He also said the Langs have been ordered to surrender to the court any money they make from the sale of their Greenwood home.

Elizabeth Lang faces up to 90 years in prison if convicted. Her attorney, Jennifer Lukemeyer, declined to comment as they left the courthouse.

The remaining defendants could face from 30 to 45 years in prison if convicted.

No trial date has been set for the Langs or Gu.

Since late last year, four BMV workers are among 27 people who have been charged in the license scam.