Dolton man gets 2 years for running gun straw purchase ring
A Dolton man was sentenced to two years in federal prison Tuesday for helping to run a gun straw purchase ring.
Schebaka Ellington, 25, pleaded guilty to conspiring to make a false statement in connection with the purchase of a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney M. Scott Proctor said in a release.
He will also serve a two-year term of supervised release.
Defense lawyer Claudia Traficante said he took responsibility in his plea deal for setting up buys for 38 guns in Northwest Indiana from November 2019 to January 2021.
Co-defendant Lanaer Finch also got two years in prison Monday.
Merrillville man gets nearly 6 years for having gun as felon
A Merrillville man was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison Wednesday after he was caught with a loaded 9-mm pistol and ammunition after prior robbery convictions. The gun was stolen from his sister.
Frank Washington III, 37, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon, according to a release.
A release states he drove around with the holstered gun in February.
His lawyer Peter Boyles wrote Washington worked as an assistant manager at a Jiffy Lube and has had no write-ups since he was jailed in February.
Murder cases dropped against Merrillville man
Prosecutors filed July 30 to dismiss charges against a Merrillville man in connection with two linked 2010 murders.
Jesse Carter IV was part of a group charged with murder in the perpetration of a robbery and attempted armed robbery in the death of Kevin Champion, 41, Lake County court records show.
Carter was also charged with murder in perpetration of a burglary, burglary while armed with a deadly weapon and attempted armed robbery in the death of Franklin Simmons, 61, according to court records.
Deputy Prosecutor Chris Bruno wrote the case was dropped “in the interest of justice.” Defense lawyer Nick Barnes declined comment.
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