HAMMOND — An East Chicago man has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distributing thousands of fentanyl pills and unlawfully possessing an unregistered machinegun.

Robert Sanderson, 34, of East Chicago, was sentenced October 29, 2026, by U.S. District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund to 108 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, according to U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

According to federal court documents, Sanderson sold approximately 4,000 fentanyl pills and six ounces of a powdery substance containing fentanyl to individuals working undercover for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) between June 1 and September 25, 2024.

The fentanyl pills and powder had a combined net weight of 610.3 grams.

Federal investigators also documented Sanderson selling five machinegun conversion devices and three firearms to undercover ATF operatives during August and September 2024.

Machinegun conversion devices can transform certain semiautomatic firearms into weapons capable of automatic fire.

“The sentencing of Robert Sanderson sends a definitive message: if you flood our streets with deadly poison and illegal machineguns, you will face severe consequences,” Mildred said.

Mildred added that federal authorities will continue working to dismantle illegal drug and firearm trafficking operations throughout Northern Indiana.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s North Central Laboratory.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Toth prosecuted the case.