Gary Man Gets Life in Prison on Drug, Firearm Charges

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana, Devonte Hodge, 29, was sentenced to life in prison this week.

HAMMOND, Ind. — A Gary man has been sentenced to life in prison on charges of drug conspiracy and using a firearm to commit murder.

Following a six-day jury trial, Devonte Hodge, 29, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and using a firearm to commit murder. United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon handed down the sentencing.

Hodge received life in prison for using a firearm to commit murder. He was also sentenced to 480 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and 100 grams or more of heroin.

According to court documents, Hodge and others sold cocaine from a residence in Gary in the summer of 2016. In October of that year, Hodge shot and killed a man who was sitting in a car and who he believed was cooperating with law enforcement.

The FBI/GRIT Task Force and ATF/HIDTA Task Force investigated the case with assistance from the Hobart Police, the Indiana State Police, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and the Gary Police Department.

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