SOUTH BEND – The grim halls of justice in Indiana were recently echoed with the sound of a life sentence for Derek Fields, a man whose reign of terror shattered lives and shook South Bend. United States Attorney David Capp announced that Fields, 30, has been sentenced to 636 months imprisonment following his conviction on November 16, 2016.
In a trial that painted a chilling portrait of fear and violence, Fields was found guilty of kidnapping, extortion, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and using a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence. The judge also ordered him to pay $196,512.10 in restitution for the victim’s lost wages and medical expenses.
The evidence against Fields was overwhelming. According to court documents, he and his accomplices took a person hostage, demanding a ransom from their family. The horror did not end there; during the ordeal, a firearm was discharged, gravely wounding the victim with permanent injuries.
Fields’ fellow criminals, Lindani Mzembe and Ivan Brazier, were also meted out justice. Mzembe received 524 months for his part in similar crimes, while Brazier was sentenced to 444 months. The trio’s actions were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Federal Bureau of Investigation; South Bend Police Department; and St. Joseph County Metro Homicide.
Assistant United States Attorneys John M. Maciejczyk and Joel Gabrielse led the prosecution, ensuring that justice was served for the communities terrorized by Fields and his cronies. The sentence handed down today is a stark reminder of the consequences faced by those who commit heinous acts of violence.
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Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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