HAMMOND MAN GETS 5 ½ YEARS IN GUN CASE
A Hammond man was sentenced earlier this month to 5 ½ years in prison in a federal gun case, records show.
Jonas D. Smith, 54, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. After prison, he will serve two years on supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin Padula wrote that an informant tipped federal authorities that Smith allegedly sold Xanax and marijuana out of his home. After a criminal informant bought Xanax twice in October 2023, police raided his home, documents state.
“Law enforcement executed a search warrant and recovered a loaded revolver, a semi-automatic pistol and multiple rounds of ammunition,” U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred wrote in a press release.
Defense lawyer Kerry Connor wrote in court documents her client had several health issues, including a bullet lodged in his back from when he was shot in 1996.
CROWN POINT MAN FACES UP TO SIX YEARS FOR CHILD SOLICITATION
A Crown Point man is facing up to six years in prison for a child solicitation case, records show.
William Kozlowski, 37, pleaded guilty in documents filed Friday to child solicitation, a level 5 felony.
If a judge accepts the plea deal, his sentencing is Sept. 24.
According to court documents, Kozlowski admitted he messaged two minors he thought were underage teens between June and November 2022 to “meet” and engage in sexual acts.
Crown Point Police opened the investigation after a woman called Public Works, saying she posed as “Taylor,” a 13-year-old girl, on the Kik messenger app to shield children from sexual predators, Post-Tribune archives show.
“Bill” — later identified as Kozlowski, under the username dogs2008 — sent her “sexual” messages and texts. He tried to set up a time to meet at the Merrillville Meijer with her and “Kristi,” another user he thought was 13, according to the affidavit.