Gary man convicted in federal court of murder in connection with drug ring

A federal jury convicted a Gary man on Monday of a murder linked to a drug ring.

Devonte “Lil Bro” Hodge, 32, killed Akeem Oliver, 29, of Gary after he and alleged gang leader Teddy Caldwell feared Oliver would give police information about a previous murder.

Hodge was found guilty after a six-day trial of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances – namely cocaine and heroin – and using a firearm to commit murder, U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson said in a press release.

His sentencing will take place on December 5 before U.S. District Judge Philip Simon in Hammond.

Hodge and a second man shot Oliver in a vehicle near 20th Avenue and Virginia Street on October 8, 2016. Oliver's brother was also injured in the shooting, documents show.

The second man, identified as AF, was later killed in a shooting on December 8, 2016, records say.

A federal indictment alleged that Oliver helped Caldwell and others dispose of the body of Isaiah “Drizzy” Edwards, a “member” of the drug ring, after his murder on June 26, 2016.

Later in September 2016, Oliver called Caldwell from the Lake County Jail and demanded bail and money for an attorney. The next month, Hodge and Caldwell spoke on “Da Wash” about Oliver giving police incriminating information about Edwards' death.

Hodge was one of nine people named in a 19-count indictment in 2018 alleging a drug ring linked to two murders.

According to the documents, Caldwell admitted to running a cocaine ring from 2016 to 2018 that sold drugs from his home in the 2500 block of Jefferson Street and from the “Da Wash” car wash at Broadway and East 20th Place.

He pleaded guilty in August 2022 and is awaiting sentencing.

The group is also linked to the shooting death of 43-year-old Gary businessman Kevin Hood on July 28, 2017.

Caldwell admitted that he conspired with Taquan “Boonie” Clarke, Devontae “Lil Cuz” Martin and another unnamed person to rob Hood of a “large amount” of cocaine and money and split the proceeds, according to his plea agreement.

Hood was killed during a robbery outside his business, Shine On Hand Car Wash, near 15th and Massachusetts streets, according to Gary Police. Clarke and Martin were convicted last year.

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Originally published: August 20, 2024 at 15:50