United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – On Sept. 23, 2026, Robert Newton, 34, of Niles, Michigan, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Newton was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, Newton was driving in Michigan City, Indiana, when police pulled him over for a traffic infraction and discovered three baggies containing a total of about 59.5 grams of methamphetamine hidden in the back hatch of Newton’s rental car.

“Robert Newton poisoned our communities with deadly drugs, and he will be confined ten years for it. For years, methamphetamine has torn apart Indiana families, fueled violent crime, and devastated our streets. The defendant chose to profit from that misery, operating with a blatant disregard for the law until police intercepted his vehicle and uncovered nearly 60 grams of pure methamphetamine. His sentence is not only entirely appropriate given the scale of his crimes, but it also serves as a critical deterrent to anyone else thinking of trafficking poison into our neighborhoods. This successful prosecution was made possible by the seamless coordination and strong partnerships of our local, state, and federal law enforcement teams. Thanks to the tireless work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the DEA North Central Laboratory, the LaPorte County Drug Task Force, the Long Beach Police Department, and the Michigan City Police Department, there is one less major dealer on our streets today, and our community is safer for it," said Attorney Adam L. Mildred, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana.

This case was investigated by the DEA, the DEA North Central Laboratory, the LaPorte County Drug Task Force, the Long Beach Police Department, and the Michigan City Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lydia T. Lucius.