A Gary, Indiana man has been convicted on charges of drug conspiracy and using a firearm to commit murder, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reports. 32-year-old Devonte Hodge faced a jury over a six-day trial that ended with a guilty verdict for conspiring to distribute cocaine and 100 grams of heroin, as well as committing murder using a firearm. The case was presided over by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon.
Hodge's conviction stems from a collaborative investigation involving the FBI/GRIT Task Force and the ATF/HIDTA Task Force, who received support from multiple local law enforcement agencies, including, the Hobart Police Department, the Indiana State Police, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, and the Gary Police Department. His sentencing is scheduled for December 5, where his final sentence will be determined by Judge Simon after reviewing federal statutes, and the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The prosecution of Hodge was managed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick and Joel Mathur. This case is not a stand-alone operation, but part of the broader initiative titled Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
The Department of Justice highlights that Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) was revitalized on May 26, 2021, with a new strategy to reduce violent crime. The program aims to build community trust, support local prevention efforts, set clear law enforcement priorities, and track results to ensure it works effectively.
