Man arrested on federal weapons charges to represent himself in court

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The target of a federal weapons investigation told a judge today, he plans to represent himself. 57-year-old Lonnie Painter was arrested on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm yesterday, after agents raided his home in Osceola and business in South Bend. 

In court, he told the judge he doesn't think an attorney would do him any good, saying the case "is pretty cut and dry... It's going to come down to a plea." He went on to say there's a strong case being brought against him.

Painter, who was convicted of murder in 1982 and attempted murder in 1993, could also be implicated in a crime involving human remains found in Osceola last week. According to the St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit, the remains have yet to be identified.

ABC57 has been given a name of who the remains are believed to be by multiple sources. We're told it's a woman who has been missing for several months, however family has not been notified and police are still trying to confirm the identity through DNA.

Painter is due back in federal court tomorrow for a preliminary exam and detention hearing.