WOMAN GETS 15 MONTHS FOR STEALING $480K FROM EMPLOYER
A federal judge sentenced a woman to 15 months in prison Tuesday after she admitted stealing just over $480,000 from her one-time employer, Merrillville Metal Recycling, court records show.
Tanya Januszewski, 51, pleaded guilty in April in the U.S. District Court in Hammond to wire fraud.
In court documents, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Wolff wrote Januszewski “created hundreds of false transaction records,” then pocketed the cash from October 2022 to June 2024 while she worked as a cashier for the Merrillville scrap metal firm.
Defense lawyer Shane O’Donnell wrote his client was struggling with “a significant gambling-related problem.”
Januszewski is ordered to serve two years on supervised release after prison and repay just over $480,000 in restitution.
Her former co-worker, Julian Samaniego, also pleaded guilty to wire fraud, admitting that he participated in the scheme. He has a sentencing date in December.
EAST CHICAGO MAN CHARGED WITH CHILD MOLESTING
An East Chicago man possibly faces decades behind bars in an alleged child molesting case.
Ismael Guzman, 37, is charged with six counts of child molesting and one count of sexual misconduct with a minor, all Level 1 felonies; two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, both Level 4 felonies; and one count of intimidation, a Level 5 felony.
He is in custody, according to court filings. A bail hearing was scheduled Tuesday.
East Chicago Police wrote the alleged timeline for the assaults was from July 2022 to July 2025. The victim told police Guzman sexually assaulted her multiple times.