ANDERSON — Five people have been arrested and dozens of pounds of drugs are now off the streets after a drug trafficking sting in Anderson and Indianapolis.
The U.S. Attorney General's Office held a press conference on Friday announcing the arrest of five individuals who are alleged to have operated a drug trafficking operation in Anderson and Indianapolis.
The five people arrested were identified as:
- Charles House, 37, from Anderson
- Sean Brown, 25, From Anderson
- Tommy Compton, 39, from Indianapolis
- Marcus Hayes-Patterson, 34, from Indianapolis
- Gregory Hendricks, 34, from Anderson
All five have been 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 investigation began in 2018. The U.S Attorney's office says Charles House was observed traveling to California to purchase narcotics and then mailing them to multiple addresseses in Anderson where they were redistributed.
"Defendants facilitated their drug trafficking activities through the use of cellular phones and often used code words to try to conceal their illegal activities," they said during the press conference.
During the course of the investigation, 25 pounds of methamphetamine, 50 pounds of marijuana and 10 pounds of cocaine were also seized.
“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.”
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.
