Indianapolis area methamphetamine and heroin trafficking organizations dismantled

Illegal narcotics, guns, and cash seized

Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today, federal criminal charges against 35 individuals for their role in two separate drug trafficking rings.

“These methamphetamine trafficking organizations were fueling some of the violence that the citizens of central Indiana have been experiencing.” said Minkler. “Thirty illegally possessed guns, twenty-two pounds of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and approximately $70,000 in drug money support the decision to make custodial arrests today. Violent drug trafficking organizations should know that this national health crisis offers no safe harbor for them.  Federal, state and local law enforcement will continue to work together to keep the public safe from violent drug traffickers.”

Those charged include:

Danielle Dowling, 43, Indianapolis

Linda Bow, 56, Indianapolis

Josh Stoops, 41, Indianapolis

James Bacon, 51, Indianapolis

Micheal Fisher, 27, Indianapolis

Steve Anderson, 46, Indianapolis

James Swartz, 41, Indianapolis

Eric Poore, 42, Indianapolis

Janna Broaddus, 33, Indianapolis

Josh Unger, 36, Indianapolis

Ryan Sawyers, 37, Indianapolis

Troy Thornton, 47, Indianapolis

Darius Anthony Garcia, 33, Indianapolis

Amber Seats, 31, Indianapolis

Jeremy Osmon, 40, Indianapolis

Tyler Greenwalt , 35, Indianapolis

Guy Karnes, 28, Indianapolis

Clifford King, Jr., 27, Indianapolis

Lisa Roth, 25, Indianapolis (Fugitive)

Dylan Williams, 41, Indianapolis

Eric Walker, 30, Indianapolis

Jeffrey Sacks, 63, Indianapolis

Paula Adams, 33, Lafayette

Christopher Tate, 29, Indianapolis

Jovan Stewart, 31, Indianapolis

Robert Hinton, 33, Indianapolis (Fugitive)

Tia Dimmett, 29, Indianapolis

Lacey Guzman, 35, Indianapolis

Sandra Kellogg, 38, Silver Lake, Indiana

Desirae Evans, 40, Indianapolis

Jose Rodriguez-Chavez, 42, Indianapolis

Jason Lewis, 28, Indianapolis

Dwyatt Harris, 40, Indianapolis

Dorothy Knight, 43, Indianapolis (Fugitive)

Chaylon Rush, 52, Indianapolis (Fugitive)

Federal agents along with local officers from different agencies, served arrest warrants and search warrants at 19 locations in the Indianapolis area today. Thirty one persons were arrested and are in federal custody. Four persons remain as fugitives.

During this six month investigation, approximately 30 firearms, $70,000 in US currency, and 22 pounds of methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl were seized.

According to the two indictments, Danielle Dowling and Christopher Tate led separate drug trafficking organizations that operated in Indianapolis. Dowling, Tate, and their associates distributed large amounts of methamphetamine as well as heroin and fentanyl in the Indianapolis area.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Indianapolis Metropolitan Drug Task Force, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

The Lawrence Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations also assisted in today’s operation.

“The individuals arrested today, utilized violence, fear and intimidation as a platform to terrorize fellow Hoosier’s while they made a living peddling poison into our communities,” said Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of DEA Indianapolis District Office. “This high-level drug trafficking organization was responsible for distributing multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl in various cities within Indiana. Today’s takedown was a big win for the Indianapolis Metropolitan area, 31 drug dealers are now in jail where they belong.”

“Today’s search and arrest warrants signal an important victory for the American public. The role of IRS Criminal Investigation in narcotics investigations is to follow the money so we can financially disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations,” said Kathy A. Enstrom, IRS Criminal Investigation, Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Field Office. “We are proud to work hand-in-hand with our law enforcement partners to bring these criminals to justice.”

“In addition to fueling the opioid epidemic, these bad actors spurred violence in our city. These acts cannot and will not be tolerated,” said IMPD Chief Randal Taylor. “Working together, law enforcement partners are continuing to address violence and protect the safety of our neighborhoods – and we will remain dedicated to this effort throughout the difficult days and weeks ahead.”

“Central Indiana has no room for those who use firearms to further their criminal enterprise,” said Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local levels to bring those individuals to justice.”

“When federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies partner for comprehensive investigations, the resulting arrests, along with the firearms & drugs removed from the streets, inevitably result in reduced opportunity for violent crime to occur,” said Gary Woodruff, Deputy Chief with Lawrence Police.

“The message here is clear, the FBI will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement partners and utilize all available resources to target those who are responsible for trafficking and distributing drugs poisoning our citizens,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Middleton, FBI Indianapolis. “The distribution of illicit drugs impacts families and communities, and by disrupting and dismantling these organizations we can continue our focus on eliminating a major cause of violent crime in our communities.”

An indictment is merely a charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in federal court.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Brad Blackington who is prosecuting this case for the government, most of the defendants face sentences of up to life imprisonment if convicted.

In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the office’s firm commitment to utilizing OCDETF to target, investigate, and prosecute more organizations that supply and distribute methamphetamine and or heroin in the District. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan Section 3.1-3.5.