Ethel Shelton

Ethel Shelton conviction dismissed by Judge Van Bokkelen

Contributed By:The 411 News

Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen, U.S. Northern District Court Judge in Hammond, has accepted the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals opinion overturning the 2018 conviction and sentencing of Ethel Shelton. Judge Van Bokkelen was the trial judge overseeing charges of public corruption and fraud in the Calumet Township Trustee Office.

Judge Van Bokkelen had the options to retry or dismiss the case.

Calumet Township Trustee Mary Elgin, her son Steven Hunter, Alex Wheeler and Shelton were indicted in 2014. Elgin and Hunter pled guilty. Wheeler and Shelton fought the charges in a March 2018 combined jury trial. Wheeler was found not guilty. Shelton was convicted and sentenced to 1 year probation.

In a June 16, 2021 order, Judge Van Bokkelen dismissed the case and ordered the court to reimburse Shelton the $2,000 fine and $200 special assessment imposed on the case.

"This reversal couldn't have happened to a better person. Shelton should never have been caught up in this case," said Andrea Gambino, Shelton's attorney.

During the trial, an FBI investigator revealed the evidence against Shelton was collected before a search warrant of the Calumet Township's headquarters was issued. "The FBI had sent an informant in to do their work," Gambino said.

Gambino's request to have the case dismissed during the trial was not granted.

On appeal, Gambino said the FBI's collection of evidence was tainted and the 7th Circuit Court agreed.

"I am so glad I decided to appeal the case. My record will be clean again," Shelton said.

Story Posted:07/07/2021