INDIANAPOLIS — Nineteen people allegedly involved in a drug trafficking organization that authorities believe to be tied to homicides in Indianapolis have been indicted on federal charges following a series of raids, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana announced Thursday.
In the Wednesday morning raids, officers seized 35 guns, $70,000 in cash, 14 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.75 kilograms of fentanyl, six ounces of cocaine and 30 pounds of marijuana, Acting U.S. Attorney John Childress said at a press conference.
"That's a large, connected and efficient organization, Childress said.
Seventeen of the 19 people were arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Two others remain at-large. All of the suspects face 10 years to life in prison, according to FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan.
Several of those arrested are believed to be responsible for homicides in Indianapolis, Keenan said.
The 17 people arrested and charged include:
- Jason Betts, 26, Indianapolis
- Jennifer Black, 39, Indianapolis
- Montez Wells, 30, Indianapolis
- Richard Wells, 28, Indianapolis
- Aleshalia Boss, 40, Indianapolis
- Carl Wilson, 34, Indianapolis
- Donta Hampton, 34, Indianapolis
- Rick Coley, 34, Indianapolis
- Colin Johnson, 30, Indianapolis
- David Duggar, 38, Greenwood
- Brian McGee, 42, Indianapolis
- Justin Helms, 41, Spencer
- William Mosier, 41, Indianapolis
- Mar-Kel Sampson, 29, Indianapolis
- Asa Vetters, 30, Indianapolis
- Brittany Cocco, 31, Indianapolis
- Marco Uribe, 41, Indianapolis.
Authorities are still looking for Christina Pennington, 26, of Indianapolis, and Kenneth K. Fielder, 26, of Bloomington.
"Collectively, we were able to effectively shut down a criminal organization responsible for much of the violence throughout our city," Keenan said.
Prosecutors allege Betts led a methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking organization in Indianapolis, while Montez Wells and Richard Wells distributed large quantities of the drugs as part of the organization.
"Betts, Montez Wells and Richard Wells coordinated their activities by receiving methamphetamine and fentanyl from their sources, sharing controlled substances with each other, and distributing the controlled substances to other dealers," a news release from the Southern District of Indiana said.
People involved allegedly distributed or helped to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Indianapolis area and elsewhere in Indiana. Investigators revealed Betts allegedly received 100-pound shipments of methamphetamine from his source.
A total of 15 search warrants were executed by Federal Bureau of Investigation offices in Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville and Las Vegas, along with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Postal Service Inspection Service, Indiana State Police, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff's Office and the Fishers Police Department.
Watch the news conference in the player below:
