Armando Ortega, Possession with Intent to Distribute, Indiana 2012

HAMMOND, IN – A Hammond man has been sentenced to 5 months on home detention for his role in a cocaine trafficking operation. Armando Ortega, 36, was sentenced by United States District Judge Philip Simon after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine.

According to court documents, on February 25, 2012, law enforcement officers responded to a domestic call at the defendant’s residence and smelled a strong smell of marijuana. On April 6, 2012, a Hammond detective decided to do a “knock and talk” at same residence, when he approached it he smelled a strong odor of marijuana. He left the residence without contact. Three days later, Hammond Police officers did a trash pull, and recovered the remains of marijuana blunts and stems. On April 13, 2012, Hammond Police executed a search warrant on the residence. They recovered around 240 grams of cocaine and redistribution amounts of marijuana.

The investigation into Ortega’s activities was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Portage Police Department, Lake Station Police Department, and Porter County Sheriff’s Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

Ortega was sentenced to 5 months on home detention with 2 years of supervised release. His sentence is a significant blow to those who seek to traffic cocaine and other illicit substances in our community.

The sentencing of Armando Ortega serves as a reminder that the United States Attorney’s Office will continue to aggressively pursue those who engage in such activities and bring them to justice.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives praises the hard work and dedication of the local law enforcement agencies that contributed to the successful investigation and prosecution of this case.

Armando Ortega, now 36, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced to 5 months home detention with 2 years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Portage Police Department, Lake Station Police Department, and Porter County Sheriff’s Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick.

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