Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Two Six Nation Gang Members from Hammond Indicted
HAMMOND – Two alleged members of the Two Six Nation street gang were indicted on attempted murder and firearms charges.
Charles Luis Garcia-Berrios, 22, and Julio Ivan Cartagena, 24, both of Hammond Indiana, were indicted on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 in the Northern District of Indiana on charges of attempted murder in aid of racketeering and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The charges arise from a car chase and shooting that occurred on August 31, 2013, during which stray rounds penetrated the house of a Hammond Police Department officer.
Both defendants appeared today before Judge John E. Martin for a hearing. Charles Luis Garcia-Berrios pleaded not guilty, waived detention and was detained pending trial. Julio Ivan Cartagena also pleaded not guilty and has a detention hearing scheduled for April 30, 2015.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and not proof of guilt. All persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Hammond Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by the United States Department of Justice Criminal Division Trial Attorney Andrew Creighton and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nozick of the Northern District of Indiana.