A leader in the Hammond Latin Counts, who was found guilty of the 2015 shooting deaths of a 16-year-old girl and a 33-year-old man, has been handed down three consecutive life sentences in prison. Eduardo Luciano, now 35 years old, will also serve an additional 20 years on a conspiracy charge, as ruled by U.S District Court Senior Judge Jon DeGuilio on Wednesday.
Luciano’s conviction in 2022 for the murders of Lauren Calvillo and Christopher White, along with his involvement in a RICO case related to the Counts, led to this sentencing. The delay in the sentencing was due to a U.S. Supreme Court case concerning sentencing guidelines, according to DeGuilio.
Russell Brown, Luciano’s attorney, highlighted that Luciano was not the one who pulled the trigger or drove the getaway vehicle on the fateful day in 2015. Brown also pointed out that Ivan Reyes, a co-defendant who testified against Luciano, identified Luciano as a leader in the gang. Brown expressed surprise at the sequence of sentencing, suggesting that Luciano should receive a concurrent 50-year sentence along with the 20-year conspiracy term.
During the proceedings, Luciano, clad in a Porter County Jail uniform with braided hair, expressed remorse to his daughters and family, acknowledging the pain they endured. He attributed his troubled past to childhood abuse and a challenging environment, admitting to making poor choices in his associations.
In response to Luciano’s attempt to shift blame to Reyes, Judge DeGuilio reminded him that the court was not the venue to reassess the case. Penny Robinson, Chris White’s sister, emotionally recounted her brother’s struggles after the shooting, highlighting the financial and emotional toll on their family.
Lisa Roberts, Lauren’s cousin, criticized Luciano for deflecting responsibility and urged him to take accountability for his actions. Ollie Hubbard, Lauren’s mother, shared a poignant moment by reading a letter penned by Lauren before her untimely death, emphasizing her daughter’s compassionate nature and the impact of her loss on the family.
DeGuilio emphasized Luciano’s significant role in the tragic events, stating that his orders to open fire at a vigil demonstrated his culpability in the deaths. U.S. Attorney Clifford Johnson commended the collaborative efforts of law enforcement in achieving justice in this case during a post-sentencing press conference.
The sentencing concluded with Luciano being taken into custody. Michelle L. Quinn, a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune, covered the proceedings.