Ryan Dean Smith, Possession of Firearm as Convicted Felon, Indiana 2014

Ryan Dean Smith, 28, of Peru, Indiana, has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm as a convicted felon in a South Bend federal court. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Smith's conviction is a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Smith, who is facing sentencing on November 12, 2014, could face up to 10 years in prison for the felony offense. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Schmid.

Smith's guilty plea is not an isolated incident. In recent weeks, several other defendants have faced charges related to firearm possession and drug trafficking in the South Bend area.

Arinda Nelly Garza, 46, of Rio Grande City, Texas, was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to failure to appear in court. According to documents filed in this case, Garza failed to appear for court proceedings from February 1999 to January 2014.

Garza's case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William T. Grimmer.

An unrelated case involving Alvin Maurice Lipsey, 55, of Mishawaka, Indiana, has resulted in a 235-month prison sentence for robbery of a federally insured bank while armed with a deadly weapon. Lipsey pleaded guilty to the felony offense and is also required to pay restitution to Notre Dame Federal Credit Union ($1,493.00) and First Source Bank ($2,768.00).

Lipsey's case was the result of an investigation by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Schaffer. The U.S. Attorney's Office has yet to comment on whether Smith's case is connected to Lipsey's.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndin/pr/week-review-south-bend-26