Veronica Woods-Smith, Theft of Government Property, Indiana 2014

Hammond, IN - In a shocking turn of events, Veronica Woods-Smith, 61, of Hammond, Indiana, has pleaded guilty to the felony offense of theft of government property. The charge stems from an investigation by the Social Security Administration. If convicted, Woods-Smith could face a maximum of 5 years in prison. According to court documents, Woods-Smith's sentencing has been set for August 1st, 2014. As part of the plea deal, Assistant United States Attorney Nick Padilla will prosecute the case.

Woods-Smith is not the only one facing felony charges in the area. Desman Thomas, 38, of Griffith, Indiana, has also pleaded guilty to the felony offense of bank robbery. The charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. If convicted, Thomas could face a maximum of 20 years in prison. According to court documents, Thomas's sentencing has been set for August 21st, 2014. Assistant United States Attorney Dean Lanter will prosecute the case.

In another case, Dwayne Allen Jackson, 28, of Chicago, Illinois, has pleaded guilty to the felony offense of making a materially false statement. The charge was filed as a result of an investigation by the Department of Treasury - Secret Service. If convicted, Jackson could face a maximum of 5 years in prison. According to court documents, Jackson's sentencing has been set for August 19th, 2014. Assistant United States Attorney Randy Stewart will prosecute the case.

But that's not all - several defendants have received their sentencing. Sidney Sellers, 42, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced to 64 months in prison and 4 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine. According to court documents, the Gary Police Department made a traffic stop of Sellers and discovered him to be in possession of a loaded Glock semiautomatic handgun.

Another defendant, Christopher Castro, 34, of Lorain, Ohio, was sentenced to 63 months in prison and 4 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine. According to court documents, Castro traveled with others from Ohio to Northwest Indiana to purchase cocaine. The Drug Enforcement Agency conducted the investigation.

Lastly, Carmalita Stewart-Cannon, 48, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced to 12 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of knowingly possessing, in and affecting commerce, a firearm after having been convicted of a felony offense. According to court documents, Gary Police officers conducted three recorded controlled buys of heroin from Stewart-Cannon at her residence.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndin/pr/week-review-hammond-15