United States of America v. Santana Kendall

Indianapolis, Indiana criminal defense lawyer represented defendant charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.



On August 11, 2021, Santana Kendall, age 30, led police on a high-speed chase after police attempted to stop him for speeding. Kendall ran a red light, drove on the wrong side of traffic, and ran several stop signs during the chase. After evading police, Kendall parked the vehicle at a residence and fled on foot. Kendall discarded a backpack he was carrying, which was later recovered by police. The backpack contained a loaded firearm, sizeable amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, crack cocaine, oxycontin pills, syringes, marijuana, a digital scale, and $5,517 in U.S. currency. Kendall was later found by police and arrested. Kendall admitted in his guilty plea that he possessed the controlled substances with the intent to distribute them and possessed the gun in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities. Under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Kendall is a career offender as a result of his multiple prior felony drug-dealing convictions.



Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division, made the announcement.



ATF investigated the case. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department also provided valuable assistance. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James Patrick Hanlon following Kendall's guilty plea. As part of the sentence, Judge Hanlon also ordered that Kendall be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for five years following his release from federal prison.



U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Blackett who is prosecuting the case.



CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE - SELL, DISTRIBUTE, OR DISPENSE (Possession with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances)

(1)

VIOLENT CRIME/DRUGS/MACHINE GUN (Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime)

(2)

07/14/2022 38 MINUTE ENTRY for proceedings held before Judge James Patrick Hanlon as to SANTANA KENDALL (1): On July 14, 2022, Santana Kendall appeared in person and by counsel, Dominic Martin, for a change of plea and sentencing hearing. The government appeared by counsel, Assistant United States Attorney Peter Blackett. La Tia Dowdell appeared on behalf of the United States Probation Office. The hearing was recorded by Court Reporter Jodie Franzen. The Court accepted the Plea of Guilty after conducting the requisite hearing under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11(b). The Court adjudged Defendant guilty of Counts 1 and 2. Court's Sentencing Exhibit A was entered into the record. Defendant was sentenced to 180 months' imprisonment (120 months on Count 1 and 60 months on Count 2, consecutive) and five years' supervised release (five years on each of Counts 1 and 2, concurrent). No fine was imposed. A special assessment of $200.00 was imposed and an order of forfeiture for items listed in the plea agreement and presentence investigation report entered. Defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. The Judgment is forthcoming. *** SEE ENTRY FOR FURTHER DETAILS *** (PKP) (Entered: 07/15/2022)