Articles

Former Munster doctor sentenced for overprescribing painkillers

A former northwestern Indiana doctor who pleaded guilty to overprescribing painkillers has been sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. Jay Joshi, formerly a general practice physician in Munster, also was ordered to pay a $7,500 fine after pleading guilty last year to dispensing hydrocodone outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.

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7th Circuit upholds drug dealer’s career criminal ruling

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a determination that man convicted for drug-related offenses was a career offender under § 4B1.1 of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and that a corresponding enhancement was appropriately applied to his sentence, rejecting his interpretation of the statute.

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Despite snoozing juror, meth, theft convictions affirmed

Convictions for a man who attempted to make meth were upheld by an Indiana Court of Appeals panel Wednesday after it concluded no abuse of discretion occurred when a sleeping juror in his case was replaced, and that his argument for a new trial was waived.

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Canadian man facing drug charges seeks passport’s return

A Canadian man who allegedly had 127 pounds of cocaine hidden inside his vehicle wants northwestern Indiana authorities to return his passport. A Porter County judge ordered Hobart police Monday to return all of Denis Mesumb’s belongings, except for his Canadian passport, and set a Wednesday hearing to consider its release.

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CHINS adjudication reversed for mom who tested clean

A mother whose kids were found to be children in need of services despite her successful efforts to stay sober and get the help she needed found favor with an appellate panel Monday, who reversed the CHINS adjudication on the basis of insufficient evidence.

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7th Circuit reverses unwarranted gun sentence enhancement

The fact that drugs and guns were in the same place at the same time wasn’t enough to prove a man should have received a sentence enhancement for his convictions, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled, finding no connection between his felony cocaine possession and firearms.

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COA: Officer peeking in window acted as Girl Scout would

A man with drug-related convictions failed to sway an appellate court that his rights against illegal search and seizure were violated when an officer peeked through his window before arresting him. The Indiana Court of Appeals concluded the officer acted no differently than a Girl Scout in approaching the man’s door.

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7th Circuit finds leadership enhancement harmless error

An Indianapolis furniture salesman who used his business as a front for selling cocaine and heroin persuaded the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to buy his argument that he did not have a leadership role in the drug operation, but his 30-year sentence was still affirmed.

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