Jossean Manuel Echevarria and Diquan Nashawn Ray Charged With Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Indiana
1 October 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HAMMOND – Jossean Manuel Echevarria, 30 years old, of Hammond, Indiana, and Diquan Dashawn Ray, 23 years old, of Burnham, Illinois were charged on October 1, 2018 by criminal complaint with Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property, announced U.S Attorney Kirsch.

According to documents in the case, Echevarria and Ray stole copper wire from Clayhole Woods, a Cook County Forest Preserve in Illinois. They then transported that copper wire across state lines into Indiana. Officers stopped Echevarria and Ray in a vehicle in Hammond, Indiana and found them in possession of the copper wire from the forest preserve.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasized that a Complaint is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty in court.

If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the Judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This case was investigated by the FBI GRIT Task Force in conjunction with Hammond Police Department, Lansing (Illinois) Police Department, and Cook County Sheriff’s Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang.