United States Attorney Continues Fight Against Methamphetamine In Central Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS - U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Hogsett announced today the indictment and arrest of 23 defendants involved in a drug trafficking operation that stretched from the Mars Hill section of Indianapolis to North Vernon, Indiana and other communities in central Indiana.

"The scourge of meth has taken a heavy toll on communities in our state, and the U.S. Attorney's Office is redoubling efforts to combat organized methamphetamine activity in Southeastern Indiana," Hogsett said.

"Long term investigations, cooperatively maintained, using sensitive investigative techniques, produce significant results. This isn’t small ball. This isn’t ‘three buys and a bust.’ This is what you do when you are serious about making the quality of life in this community better."

FBI Special Agency in Charge Robert A. Jones said, "This case is another example of the power of partnerships. The FBI and state and local partners throughout central and southern Indiana have joined together with the USAO in this investigation to dismantle a drug distribution network that has plagued the community."

The main indictment charged 16 defendants with participating in the activities of a methamphetamine distribution organization. The indictment charged the following defendants with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine:

• Donald P. Maggard, 40, of North Vernon, Indiana;
• Ashley N. Wright, 27, of North Vernon, Indiana;
• Jason L. Howard, a/k/a Jay, 33, of North Vernon, Indiana;
• Jason D. Mantooth, 38, of Indianapolis, Indiana;
• Dorothy M. Neeley, 39, of Indianapolis, Indiana;
• Robert J. Holliday, a/k/a Jo Jo, 30, of Indianapolis, Indiana;
• Kimberly A. Ault, 31, of Indianapolis, Indiana;
• David L. Bell, 48, of Seymour, Indiana;
• David Eric Chadwell of Osgood, Indiana;
• George R. Nichols, a/k/a Rick, 59, of Butlerville, Indiana;
• Jessica R. Parsons, 32, of North Vernon, Indiana

The indictment also charged Marsha D. Fields, 56, of North Vernon, Indiana with maintaining a drug-involved premises and the following individuals with unlawful use of a communications device:

• Danny W. Maggard, 39, an inmate at the Putnamville Correctional Facility;
• Christy N. Walker, 31, of Columbus, Indiana;
• Shannon M. Palmer, 36, of Indianapolis, Indiana; and
• Faris B. Keener, 31, of McMinville, Tennessee

Hogsett explained that the indictment of the 16 defendants was the product of an ongoing investigation that had already produced 7 arrests for drug trafficking and firearms violations in the Mars Hill area. Those defendants previously arrested included the following:

• Jennifer L. Gaddy, 44, of Indianapolis, Indiana, charged with three counts of methamphetamine distribution;
• Logan Mediate, 20, of Indianapolis, Indiana, charged with tampering with a witness, discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, possession of a short-barreled shotgun in furtherance of a crime of violence, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a sawed-off shotgun;
• Jonathan Anderson, 29, of Indianapolis, Indiana, charged with felon in possession of a firearm;
• Dustin H. Pennington, 31, of Indianapolis, Indiana, charged with felon in possession of a firearm;
• Dwight L. Holloway, 33, of Indianapolis, Indiana, charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute and felon in possession of a firearm;
• Justin Kincaid, 33, of Indianapolis, Indiana, charged with felon in possession of a firearm; and
• Kathleen A. Owens, 29, of Indianapolis, Indiana, charged with two counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

“It is difficult to know just how much methamphetamine this organization distributed into central Indiana, but their dealing stops now,” said Hogsett. “Those who peddle drugs in our Hoosier communities will have the full force of federal law to deal with.”

These charges are the result of a collaborative investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana State Police, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the Fishers Police Department, and several other local enforcement agencies.

According to Bradley Blackington, who is prosecuting the case for the government, those defendants charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine face up to life in federal prison and fines up to $10 million if convicted.