Gerardo Mendez, Counterfeiting, Indiana 2023

Gerardo Mendez, 27, pleaded guilty to counterfeiting in a federal court in Hammond, Indiana. Mendez faces sentencing for knowingly and with intent to defraud passing counterfeited obligations.

Mendez was charged as a result of an investigation by the United States Secret Service. According to court documents, Mendez could face a specific sentence to be imposed by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Meanwhile, Christopher Chico, 26, of Blue Island, Illinois, was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release for narcotics distribution. Chico, a member of the Latin Dragons street gang, sold one ounce of cocaine to a confidential informant in Whiting, Indiana, on May 23, 2012.

Chico’s case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.

Augustin Jacobo-Pagan, 36, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment, with credit for time served, for re-entry of deported alien and false statement in a passport application. Jacobo-Pagan listed false information, including name, date of birth, and social security number, in a passport application submitted at a post office in March 2010.

Jacobo-Pagan’s case was the result of an investigation by the State Department and the Bureau of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Philip C. Benson.

Jennifer Kurek, 41, of Portage, Indiana, was sentenced to 30 days imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, and to pay $25,144 in restitution for theft of government property. Kurek, a Social Security Administration representative payee, stole $25,144 from the Social Security Administration.

Kurek’s case was the result of an investigation by the Office of Inspector/Social Security Administration Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gary T. Bell.

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