HAMMOND
Two charged with fraud in Harrah's scheme
Charges of wire and bank fraud against a Chicago man and woman whom authorities say schemed to get cash advances at Harrah's Casino were announced Thursday.
Jimmie E. Carter, 52, of Chicago, and Vicki T. Brown, 21, also of Chicago, deposited phony checks into their checking accounts, then obtained cash advances at the East Chicago casino based on the amount of money shown in those accounts, authorities contend.
A grand jury at the U.S. District Court in Hammond returned the indictments in October 2004 and November 2004, but they remained sealed until Carter and Brown's arrests Thursday.
CROWN POINT
Injured iron worker get $10.5 million
A jury awarded a Hobart ironworker $10.5 million late Thursday.
Brian Gulley, 29, was injured Feb. 14, 2002, while building a shopping center in Schererville. Gulley was connecting steel on the project for Trump Iron Works when he fell 20 feet onto concrete.
Gulley fractured all facial bones and his skull and suffered brain damage.
The suit alleged neither the general contractor, Precision Construction Co. Inc. nor the owner, Main Street Centre LLC, supplied the necessary safety equipment despite contracts and their own safety guidelines, said Gulley's attorney Kenneth J. Allen, of Merrillville.
CROWN POINT
Gary woman sentenced to eight years for scalding infant
A Gary woman who was convicted of felony battery and neglect of a dependent in July after scalding a baby girl was sentenced to eight years in prison Friday.
Rosalind Butler, 29, was baby-sitting for the infant on Dec. 15, 2001. The child was the foster child of her girlfriend, who lived with her. According to prosecutors, Butler became angry with the child and placed her in a tub of scalding water, holding the girl there for 15 minutes.
LAKE COUNTY
Sheriff's Department conducts warrant sweep
Members of the Lake County Sheriff's Department conducted a warrant sweep in the Miller/Aetna section of Gary early Friday morning and reported 14 arrests.
"This warrant sweep is part of our county-wide commitment to actively pursue those wanted individuals," Lake County Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez said in a prepared statement. "These sweeps allow us to update the warrants as people move or wrong addresses are provided."
Those served warrants for felony, misdemeanor and civil warrants are:
Patricia Lynch, 48, failure to appear in a small claims case, $1,200 cash bond; Latia Lynn Phelps, 25, failure to appear in a small claims case, $1,227.11 cash bond; Michael Grady, 28, failure to appear in a civil case, $300 cash bond; Shane Patterson, 47, revocation of probation, $5,000/$1,000; Daniel Stypula, 37, failure to appear in a small claims case, $5,600.69 cash bond; Jillian Hearn, 27, failure to appear in a small claims case, $10,000/$1,000; Lynn Maclin, 52, failure to appear in a small claims case, $454 cash bond; Gerald Cox, 29, failure to appear in a small claims case, $2,356; Rochanna Richardson, 34, failure to appear in a small claims case, $2,837.74; Kevin Lamont Lockett, 34, failure to appear in a small claims case, $6,615; Curtis Haake, date of birth not available, failure to appear in a small claims case, $2,200; Joi Elliott, 26, failure to appear in a driving while suspended case, $5,000/$1,000; Robert Goin, 48, nonsupport, $20,000/$2,000; Karen Bryant, 41, theft,
no bond and Deborah Ballenger, 49, holds for LaPorte and Porter counties.
CROWN POINT
Sheriff announces posse plan
Lake County Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez said he is re-establishing the Sheriff's Posse, a volunteer mounted unit that will represent the sheriff's department in local parades as well as search and rescue operations.
Lake County Sgt. Oscar Martinez and Officer Ponciano Herrera will oversee the posse, which will make its debut in Lowell's Labor Day parade.
