Orlando Rodriguez-Roman, a 43-year-old resident of Goshen, Indiana, has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison following his conviction on multiple drug and firearm charges. The sentencing was handed down by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after a jury found Rodriguez-Roman guilty of attempted possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and unlawful possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor announced the sentence, which also includes four years of supervised release.
Court documents reveal that federal agents intercepted a package addressed to a Goshen residence containing over 1,000 grams of cocaine. After removing the drugs from the package, agents delivered it to its intended destination. Rodriguez-Roman later took possession of the package and combined its contents with additional amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine in a garbage bag. When agents approached him as he left his home, Rodriguez-Roman fled in his vehicle, leading police on a high-speed chase through a residential area. During the pursuit, he discarded the trash bag containing drugs from his car.
Following his arrest, law enforcement searched Rodriguez-Roman’s home and discovered a loaded handgun, three rifle magazines holding nearly 80 rounds of ammunition in total, and other items used for packaging and storing drugs.
The investigation involved several agencies: the United States Postal Inspection Service (including USPS Forensic Laboratory Services), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Local support came from the Elkhart County Intelligence and Covert Enforcement Unit as well as the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Lydia T. Lucius and Katelan McKenzie Doyle prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that coordinates efforts among law enforcement agencies at all levels to reduce violent crime and gun violence while strengthening community safety. The Department’s strategy for PSN emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence before it occurs, focusing enforcement priorities strategically, and measuring outcomes.
