Robert Battle, Murder, Cocaine Conspiracy, and Money Laundering, Indiana 2015

A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Indiana has returned a superseding indictment charging Robert Battle, age 42, of East Chicago, Indiana, with murder, cocaine conspiracy, and money laundering.

According to the indictment, Battle, along with unnamed others, conspired to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine from approximately 2006 to October 12, 2015. The indictment also alleges that Battle used a firearm to kill Reimundo Camarillo, Jr. during and in relation to the conspiracy.

Battle had previously been indicted on October 22, 2015, for a marijuana offense after he was stopped on I-94 in Porter County. Approximately 73 grams of marijuana and $100,700 in U.S. currency were seized during that stop.

The superseding indictment adds the cocaine and murder charges and seeks forfeiture of the seized currency.

U.S. Attorney David Capp stated that the decision to charge the case federally was a joint decision between the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Lake County Prosecutor's Office. A key factor in the indictment decision was that the alleged events in the drug conspiracy span multiple jurisdictions and cross state lines.

Since the alleged murder of Camarillo is now included in this federal indictment, the Lake County Prosecutor's Office will dismiss a pending murder charge against Battle in Lake County arising out of the same events.

Battle will soon be taken into federal custody and will have his initial appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge next week.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, East Chicago Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David J. Nozick and Thomas M. McGrath.

The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Mandatory Facts:

• Defendant: Robert Battle
• Criminal Charges: Murder, cocaine conspiracy, and money laundering
• City and State: East Chicago, Indiana
• Crime Date: October 12, 2015
• Sentence or Outcome: Currently pending
• Dollar Amounts: $100,700 in seized currency

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndin/pr/northern-district-indiana-grand-jury-returns-superseding-indictment