Preston R. Craig, Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premise, Indiana 2024

Fort Wayne, IN – In a shocking turn of events, Preston R. Craig, 41, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, pled guilty to the felony offense of maintaining a drug-involved premise. This charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Fort Wayne Police Department.

According to sources, the magistrate judge is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea. Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. Sentencing will be set by separate order by the district court. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.

The investigation into Craig’s activities revealed a web of deceit and corruption. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Fort Wayne Police Department worked tirelessly to bring Craig to justice.

Meanwhile, in a separate case, Derek C. Whetsel, 43, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, pled guilty to the felony offense of selling a firearm to a convicted felon. The magistrate judge is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea. Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation.

Marcel T. Banks, 26, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment, with 3 years supervised release and to pay $87,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to the felony offense of bank fraud. According to documents filed in this case, during the course of an investigation, the Internal Revenue Service obtained bank records, interviewed bank representatives and other individuals and discovered that the brother of Marcel Banks, working as a personal banker at a local bank, had become, with Marcel Banks, secondary joint owners to an account that was opened without the knowledge of the customer.

Raul Resendiz, 35, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced to 46 months with 2 years supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of being a felon in possession of firearm. According to documents filed in this case, a 911 call came into Fort Wayne Police Department’s dispatch about an individual who had a gun and was in their home threatening to shoot police if they came after him. Police arrived and apprehended the individual, identified as Resendiz and located an AK 47 assault type rifle within his reach.

The cases are a stark reminder that crime does not pay. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to bringing those who break the law to justice. We will continue to work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.

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