Andre Neal, 44, of Zion, Illinois, is headed to federal prison after admitting to moving cocaine and over $100,000 in drug cash across state lines in a high-stakes run that ended in a federal indictment. The conviction marks the latest takedown in a broader crackdown on interstate narcotics networks funneling drugs through northern Indiana.
Neal was sentenced to 60 months in prison by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty in South Bend. The sentence is followed by 2 years of supervised release, a condition that will place Neal under strict federal oversight upon release. He pleaded guilty to interstate travel in aid of racketeering, a charge often used to dismantle organized drug operations spanning multiple jurisdictions.
Court documents reveal the operation unfolded on July 23, 2020, when Neal transported both cocaine and more than $100,000 in cash derived from drug distribution activities. The movement of narcotics and illicit funds across state lines triggered federal jurisdiction, turning what might have been a local case into a full-blown DOJ prosecution.
Neal’s criminal history played a significant role in the sentencing. With two prior felony convictions already on his record, prosecutors argued for a stiff penalty, emphasizing his repeated disregard for the law and his role in sustaining a violent, illegal trade that plagues communities across the Midwest.
The investigation was spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with crucial support from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Domestic Highway Enforcement Group (DHE) and the Hobart Police Department. Law enforcement sources say Neal was intercepted during a coordinated traffic stop targeting drug couriers using major highways to move product and profits.
Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer handled the prosecution. U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson confirmed the outcome, stating, “This sentence sends a clear message: those who exploit interstate routes to fuel the drug trade will face serious federal consequences.” Neal is currently in federal custody awaiting transfer to a designated prison facility.
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Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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