Members of Anderson and Indianapolis drug trafficking organization indicted by federal grand jury

Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced federal charges against five individuals, who are alleged to have operated a drug trafficking organization, in Anderson, Ind. and Indianapolis. The defendants were indicted on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana, distribution of methamphetamine and marijuana, and unlawful use of a communication facility.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to identifying and removing violent drug traffickers who have infested our neighborhoods,” said Minkler. “People who choose to earn a livelihood by peddling poison into our communities, will be targeted, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”  

Those charged federally include:

Charles House, 37, Anderson, Ind.

Sean Brown, 25, Anderson, Ind.

Tommy Compton, 39, Indianapolis

Marcus Hayes-Patterson, 34, Anderson, Ind.

Gregory Hendricks, 34, Anderson, Ind.

In October 2018, the Madison County Drug Task Force initiated an investigation into Charles House’s drug trafficking organization. House traveled to California to purchase narcotics and then mailed the narcotics to multiple addresses in Anderson with connections to House. The drugs were then redistributed by co-conspirators Brown, Hayes-Patterson, and Hendricks in Anderson. Compton was House’s Indianapolis source of supply for marijuana.  Defendants facilitated their drug trafficking activities through the use of cellular phones and often used code words to try to conceal their illegal activities.   

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Anderson Police Department, Madison County Drug Task Force, and Muncie Police Department.

“These individuals thought they were above the law and could run their drug trafficking organization without any consequences. These arrests send a strong message that there is zero tolerance for those who bring dangerous drugs into our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Grant Mendenhall, FBI Indianapolis. “It should also send a very clear message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners aren’t going anywhere - we will continue our collaborative efforts to identify and dismantle criminal enterprises anywhere in the state of Indiana and hold those involved accountable.”

“These arrests should serve notice to those willing to engage in similar criminal activity that the Anderson Police Department and our federal, state and local partners will work relentlessly to rid our community of nefarious influences by seeking federal jurisdiction on cases when applicable,” said Chief Jake Brown, Anderson Police Dept. “By seeking prosecution of drug dealers at a federal level, the citizens of Anderson will get more ‘bang for their buck’. Our residents can rest easier knowing that we are committed to creating a safe environment, and we will continue to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for the sale and distribution of dangerous narcotics in Anderson and surrounding areas.”

“The indictment of these individuals underscores the successful teamwork between the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and its local, state, and federal law enforcement partners as we continue to pursue traffickers of all narcotics,” said Ed Gallashaw, Inspector in Charge, Detroit Division. “The Inspection Service’s objective in these investigations is to protect the mail system from being used for criminal purposes and to help protect postal employees and customers from coming in contact with dangerous substances, and the charges leveled against this drug trafficking organization have brought us one step closer to fulfilling that objective.”

According to Assistant United States Attorney Lindsay E. Karwoski, who is prosecuting this case for the government, House and Brown face up to life in prison if convicted. Hendricks faces up to 40 years imprisonment if convicted. Hayes-Patterson and Compton face up to 20 years imprisonment if convicted.

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

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 organizations that supply and distribute methamphetamine, marijuana, and other controlled substances in the District. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan  Section 3.1 and 3.3.