United States Drug Enforcement Administration

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Alfred A. Cooke, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-Merrillville, Indiana, and U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson of the Northern District of Indiana announced that Steven J. Hecke, 37, of Fort Wayne, was found guilty following a five-day jury trial presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady.

The jury found Hecke guilty of two counts of distributing methamphetamine, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possessing methamphetamine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

Hecke’s sentencing will be scheduled by separate order of the court. Any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the district court judge after consideration of federal statutes and the United States sentencing guidelines. 

The case was investigated by the DEA with the assistance of the Allen County Drug Task Force; the Allen County Sheriff’s Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Indiana State Police; and the DEA’s North Central Laboratory. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony W. Geller and Lesley J. Miller Lowery.