INDIANAPOLIS — A Franklin man is among 11 who have been charged in a federal indictment alleging a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the Indianapolis area.
The charges follow a successful law enforcement operation in which 10 of the 11 individuals were arrested and federal agents and local officers seized eight firearms and quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and marijuana, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Southern Indiana.
The following individuals have been indicted and charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine:
- Matthew R.P. Fishman, 38, Bloomington
- Megan L. Gaskin, 29, Indianapolis
- Joseph A. Grubb, 37, Bloomfield
- Amanda N. Hornaday, 40, Indianapolis
- Candace L. Rich, 44, Indianapolis
- Ashley N. Russell, 38, Indianapolis
- Colton K. Shorkey, 33, Franklin
- James M. Sublett Jr., 39, Westfield
- James L. Tyus Jr., 39, Indianapolis
- Kelly A. Willis, 52, Indianapolis
- Thomas R. Winkley, 45, Indianapolis.
The operation was carried out Wednesday and involved 16 agencies, who executed 22 arrest and search warrants at 11 locations in Central Indiana. Ten individuals were arrested and are in federal custody. Grubb remains a fugitive, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
The indictment was filed with the U.S. District Court for Southern Indiana on Nov. 14 and unsealed on Wednesday amid the operation.
According to the indictment, from February through Nov. 14, all 11 defendants allegedly conspired together to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. James L. Tyus Jr. allegedly acted as the leader of the operation and was supplied methamphetamine by James M. Sublett Jr. The remaining nine defendants allegedly served as dealers and distributors.
The alleged meth deals took place at several locations across Indianapolis including parking lots, gas stations, apartment complexes, motels, and a gentleman’s club, the indictment says.
For Shorkey’s part, Tyus gave him three ounces of meth to distribute at Marathon gas station near 38th Street and Emerson Avenue in Indianapolis, according to the indictment.
If convicted, each defendant faces up to life in federal prison, the U.S. attorney’s office says.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Franklin Police Department were among the agencies that assisted in the roundup, alongside several federal agencies and local police in multiple other communities. Franklin police and Johnson County SWAT helped the DEA serve a warrant at Shorkey’s home in the 1500 block of Churchill Street early Wednesday morning, Sheriff Duane Burgess previously said.
Zachary Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, said the operation was made possible through the partnership of all the agencies.
“Getting deadly drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl off our streets is a top priority for our office,” said Myers said in a statement. “That is why working with our partners at DEA, IMPD, and across federal, state, and local law enforcement is so important. We are committed to identifying drug traffickers and holding them accountable in federal court.”
