HAMMOND - Robert Sanderson, 34 years old, of East Chicago, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to distribution of fentanyl and unlawful possession of an unregistered machinegun, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Sanderson was sentenced to 108 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, between June 1, 2024, and September 25, 2024, Sanderson sold approximately 4,000 fentanyl pills and approximately 6 ounces of a powdery substance containing fentanyl to individuals working undercover on behalf of the ATF. In all, the pills and powdery substance weighed 610.3 net grams. Additionally, during August and September of 2024 the defendant sold a total of 5 machinegun conversion devices and three firearms to individuals working undercover on behalf of the ATF. “The sentencing of Robert Sanderson sends a definitive message: if you flood our streets with deadly poison and illegal machineguns, you will face severe consequences. Sanderson knowingly sold 4,000 fentanyl pills—lethal doses that fuel addiction and devastate families—alongside weapons designed for absolute devastation. The Northern District of Indiana will not tolerate those who trade in death and lawlessness. Together with our partners at the ATF, we remain relentless in our mission to dismantle these illicit supply chains, protect our communities, and remove violent offenders from our streets,” said US Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Indiana, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s North Central Laboratory. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Toth. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.