COLUMBUS, Ind. — Police have arrested nine people, who they identified as members or known associates of the Aryan Brotherhood, after a year-long investigation.
The investigation began in October 2017 with the arrests of two people connected to the gang, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman. The investigation focused on complaints about narcotics dealing, multiple burglaries and vehicle thefts in Columbus and Bartholomew County and included investigation into the suspects attempting to sneak contraband into the Bartholomew County Jail.
Arrested were:
- Chelsie S. Harden, 30, Columbus, on charges of: Felony trafficking with an inmate, possession of methamphetamine, criminal gang activity, maintaining a common nuisance and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Jarred A. Parton, 26, Franklin, on charges of: Felony criminal gang activity and misdemeanor battery.
- William J. Justig, 38, Columbus, on charges of: Felony gang activity, trafficking with an inmate, dealing in a Schedule III controlled substance and misdemeanor dealing in a Schedule IV controlled substance.
- Brandon B. Jacobs, 28, Nashville (Indiana), on charges of: Felony criminal gang activity, auto theft, intimidation, possession of an altered handgun and misdemeanor carrying a handgun without a license.
- William “Corey” King, 35, Columbus, on charges of: Felony criminal gang activity and trafficking with an inmate.
- David “Bub” Hadley, 35, Columbus, on charges of: Felony criminal gang activity and trafficking with an inmate.
- Mary J. Craig, 22, Edinburgh, on charges of: Felony trafficking with an inmate, possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance.
- William J. Stillabower, 33, Columbus, on charges of: Felony gang activity and trafficking with an inmate.
- Matthew S. Mowery, 22, Austin (Indiana), on charges of: Felony possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a syringe.
As the case progressed, detectives contacted Bartholomew County Prosecutor Bill Nash who assigned Deputy Prosecutor Lindsey Holden Kay to work closely with investigators.
Officers from the Columbus Police Department, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, along with the CPD Intelligence Led Policing Unit, CPD SWAT, the Columbus and Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, CPD detectives, Indiana State Police, Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Edinburgh Police Department worked on this investigation.
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.
