During the government shutdown from October 1 to November 12, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana continued its law enforcement activities and public safety operations despite limited resources. U.S. Attorney Tom Wheeler recognized the efforts of federal judges, their staff, the Clerk’s office, and the Marshals Service during this period.
According to Wheeler, “U.S. Attorney Wheeler also wishes to specifically acknowledge the dedication of the Federal Judges of the Southern District of Indiana, their staff, the Clerk and her staff, as well as the Marshalls Service during this time as well.”
The office filed charges against 41 defendants in various criminal cases and secured 30 sentencings over the course of the 43-day shutdown. These sentencings were not published at that time due to restricted operations but have now been released following a return to normal activities.
Among those sentenced was Kimberly Dumes of Indianapolis, who received three years’ probation after pleading guilty to wire fraud related to fraudulent CARES Act loan applications totaling $51,664. She falsely claimed business ownership while working for the U.S. Postal Service.
Mitchell Gibson, an inmate at Terre Haute Federal Correctional Complex already serving a lengthy sentence for assaulting his pregnant wife, was given an additional 25 years in prison after admitting guilt in second-degree murder for torturing his cellmate in 2020.
Desha Morris of Indianapolis was sentenced to five years in federal prison and ordered to pay $335,589 in restitution after pleading guilty to mail and benefits fraud involving stolen SNAP benefits through forged documents and fake identities between 2020 and 2022.
Michael Martinez from Camby received a sentence of 15 years in federal prison with an additional 20 years supervised release after pleading guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material while on probation for similar offenses committed earlier.
In Evansville Division cases:
Samuel Kirkwood was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison with lifetime supervised release after admitting guilt in producing and possessing child sexual abuse material involving a minor under his care.
Anita Perez from Sellersburg was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and nearly $2 million restitution for preparing hundreds of fraudulent tax returns between 2021 and 2023 through her business ChuliTodo. The scheme resulted in more than $1.5 million tax loss to the IRS by submitting false claims on behalf of clients.
Uchechukwu Gideon Eze from Nigeria received a sentence of 21 months in federal prison plus over $182,000 restitution for participating in a business email compromise scheme that defrauded a Clark County company out of significant funds before he fled abroad but was later apprehended upon re-entry into the United States. The victimized business faced financial strain requiring refinancing property and delaying retirement plans.
Dennis Carter and Kyle Wade Owens from Evansville were sentenced respectively to 20 months and 13 months for producing counterfeit U.S. currency by altering genuine notes with chemicals; they used these bills at businesses across Indiana and Kentucky before being caught.
