Orlando Rodriguez-Roman, a 43-year-old resident of Goshen, Indiana, was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release after being convicted on several drug and firearm charges. The sentencing was handed down by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty following a jury trial.
According to information from the case, federal agents intercepted a package addressed to a Goshen residence containing more than 1,000 grams of cocaine. After removing the drugs, agents delivered the package as planned. Rodriguez-Roman later took possession of the package and placed its contents along with additional cocaine and methamphetamine into a garbage bag.
Law enforcement moved in as Rodriguez-Roman left his home. He fled in his vehicle, leading police on a high-speed chase through a residential neighborhood during which he discarded the bag containing drugs from his car. After his arrest, officers searched his home and discovered a loaded handgun, three rifle magazines with nearly 80 rounds of ammunition, and materials used for packaging and storing drugs.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the United States Postal Inspection Service (with support from USPS Forensic Laboratory Services), the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Local assistance came from the Elkhart County Intelligence and Covert Enforcement Unit as well as the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office. The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Lydia T. Lucius and Katelan McKenzie Doyle.
Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor announced the sentence.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that coordinates efforts among law enforcement at all levels to address violent crime and gun violence within communities. In May 2021, the Department introduced an updated strategy for PSN focused on building trust in communities, supporting organizations that work to prevent violence before it occurs, setting targeted enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
