PLEA DEAL EXPECTED FOR EX-HAMMOND SCHOOLS MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR
A defense lawyer wrote in court filings last month that a plea deal is eventually “expected” for a former School City of Hammond maintenance director charged in a child porn case.
David Reyes, 58, was indicted last summer after allegations that he used his work phone to upload child porn depicting young boys and received sexually explicit videos and messages from an out-of-state 14-year-old boy.
He has pleaded not guilty. His next court hearing is in September.
CAMPBELL GRANTED RELEASE IN ALLEGED GAMING RING
A federal judge granted a request Friday to release a 21-year-old man linked to an alleged illegal sports betting ring that ran out of the Paragon restaurant in Hobart and Gino’s Steakhouse in Merrillville.
Michael A. Campbell was released on a $20,000 unsecured bond on home monitoring in the U.S. District Court in Hammond.
Federal prosecutors alleged he was an “enforcer” for the Gerodemos Gambling Organization. He and the 21 other defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The indictment alleges he tailed an undercover agent with speeds topping 100 mph, down to Lafayette. Authorities alleged he repeatedly shared his admiration of mob culture.
The next hearing for the case is in September.
ILLINOIS MAN COULD AVOID PRISON FOR KILLING CYCLIST IN SCHERERVILLE
An Illinois man could avoid prison after admitting he hit and killed a cyclist near Villa Cesare in Schererville.
Damian M. Garcia, 24, of Lansing, pleaded guilty Friday to criminal recklessness, a Level 6 felony. He faces up to 2.5 years in Lake County Community Corrections.
If the judge accepts the plea deal, his sentencing is July 15.
Schererville Police responded just before 9 p.m. May 22, 2023 to 900 Eagle Ridge Drive where Alfredo Munoz, 58, of Dyer was lying in the road between both entrances to Villa Cesare.
Garcia told police he and his brother were headed home from Planet Fitness in Schererville. He was passing a red car behind Home Depot when he barely saw two bicyclists coming the opposite way.
He avoided a woman, but hit the man head-on, according to court documents.
APPEALS COURT KNOCKS 9 YEARS OFF MAN’S ATTEMPTED RAPE CONVICTION
The Indiana Court of Appeals knocked 9 years off a Crown Point man’s sentence after he was convicted of attempted rape.
Dominique Gee, 31, was sentenced in December to 32 years.
In a 3-0 decision, Appeals Judge Stephen Scheele wrote the convictions for attempted rape and criminal confinement were double jeopardy and ordered Judge Salvador Vasquez to resentence him.
A charging affidavit states police responded on Aug. 2, 2024 at the Days Inn, 4000 Calumet Avenue in Hammond. The victim told police they were smoking outside, when Gee said he needed her phone to snap a picture of some damage on his car. Instead, he took a picture of her, she said.
He punched her as she tried to get the phone back. The woman told police he wrapped his arms around her and tried to pull her to a broken part of the fence.
He can appeal to the Indiana Supreme Court.
APPEALS COURT TRIMS LIFE SENTENCE FOR JACKSON CHILDHOOD HOME RAPE
An Indiana Appeals Court panel also cut a man’s 164-year sentence for kidnapping a father and teen girl at the Jackson childhood home, then sexually assaulting her in August 2024.
In a 3-0 decision, Judge Cale Bradford wrote that the sentence for 71-year-old Oasia Barnes, formerly of Gary, should be reduced to 129 years total, since convictions for kidnapping and criminal confinement were double jeopardy.
Barnes can appeal.
