Andre Neal, 44, of Zion, Illinois, is headed to federal prison for 60 months after admitting to transporting cocaine and more than $100,000 in drug cash across state lines. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Damon R. Leichty in South Bend, marks the end of a high-stakes run for the convicted trafficker.
Neal pleaded guilty to interstate travel in aid of racketeering, a charge stemming from a July 23, 2020, operation where he moved narcotics and a staggering sum of illicit currency through interstate commerce. Federal prosecutors say the haul was the fruit of a sustained cocaine distribution scheme.
Court documents lay bare the mechanics of Neal’s operation: drugs and cash moved in tandem, a common tactic among traffickers looking to launder proceeds while resupplying supply chains. The presence of over $100,000 in physical currency underscores the scale of the enterprise.
Neal’s criminal history includes two prior felony convictions, a detail that likely weighed on the judge’s decision despite the plea agreement. The 60-month sentence is followed by two years of supervised release, during which he’ll remain under federal watch.
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with boots-on-the-ground support from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Domestic Highway Enforcement Group and the Hobart Police Department. Their joint efforts cut through layers of secrecy to intercept Neal’s operation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank E. Schaffer prosecuted the case for the government. U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson confirmed the outcome, underscoring federal resolve in cracking down on cross-border drug networks feeding addiction and violence in communities across Indiana and beyond.
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Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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