INDIANAPOLIS — Two men were sentenced to federal prison on Friday for several charges related to drug trafficking in Kokomo, according to United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler.
Reggie Balentine, 43, and Perry Jones, 45, were sentenced to decades in prison for their role in a large Kokomo drug trafficking ring alongside 38-year-old Michael Jones, who was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison last week.
Balentine was sentenced to 504 months in prison and Jones was sentenced to 260 months.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, and the Kokomo Police Department conducted an extensive investigation from late 2017 to May 2018 that resulted in the federal arrest of 15 Kokomo residents — including Balentine, Perry Jones and Michael Jones.
The investigation revealed that Balentine, believed to be the organization's "ring leader," was coordinating drug shipments from Atlanta, Georgia by Michael Jones and Perry Jones. Baletine would utilize women to travel between Kokomo and Atlanta to deliver the drugs to Balentine and drug money to his supplier in Atlanta.
Investigators found that the drug traffickers also hired two hitmen to murder a Kokomo resident.
Balentine pled guilty to the following federal offense in October:
- conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances,
- distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine,
- conspiracy to use interstate commerce in the commission of murder-for-hire,
- felon in possession of a firearm, attempted possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine,
- and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Jones also pled guilty to the following federal offense in October:
- conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances,
- felon in possession of a firearm,
- and possession of a firearm as a previously convicted felon.
"The 42-year sentence for Mr. Balentine and the 21-year sentence of Mr. Jones is a big win for the fine citizens of Kokomo," Michael Gannon, DEA assistant special agent in charge, said. "Mr. Balentine headed a violent drug trafficking organization that utilized fear and violence to fuel the illicit distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in the Kokomo area."
According to Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Brady, who prosecuted this case for the government, Balentine must also serve five years of supervised release and Jones must serve ten years of supervised release following their sentence.
