8 people indicted on federal drug charges after FBI raids in Indianapolis on Monday

Brooke Kemp Indianapolis Star

Eight people were indicted on federal drug charges Tuesday after federal and local law enforcement agencies conducted a series of raids in Indianapolis, U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler's office announced.

In the Monday morning raids, officers seized 31 firearms, 4½ pounds of methamphetamine, ½ kilogram of cocaine, 1 kilogram of fentanyl and more than $270,000 in cash, according to a news release.

In all, 16 search warrants and federal arrest warrants were served by FBI agents and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers, according to the release.

"Even during the COVID shutdown, the FBI and our law enforcement partners were still engaged in investigations to reduce violent crime," said Paul Keenan, special agent in charge from FBI Indianapolis. "What you saw Monday was the result of the dedicated work of multiple agencies with one shared goal -- to make the community safer for residents who shouldn't have to live in fear."

The arrests come during a particularly bloody year, even as gun violence has grown worse over the last six years. IMPD has already investigated 111 criminal homicides this year, which is 40 percent higher than the homicide count at this time last year.

The following people were indicted: Christopher Shelton, 41, Scot Nelson, 37, Marguerite Collins, 45, Jarrad Cooney, 32, Jason Corey, 47, Antonio Turner, 32, and Stephen Cole, 43, all of Indianapolis as well as Joshua Douglas, 38, of Muncie.

The investigation began last fall, when federal agents investigating drug trafficking activities were led to Muncie, where they discovered meetings had been taking place and methamphetamine was being transported to Vans Auto Repair in Indianapolis to be distributed.

The FBI, IRS, DEA Indianapolis District Office, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IMPD were all involved in the investigation.

"Federal task forces are taking note of the increasing incidents of violence in Indianapolis," said Kathy Enstrom, special agent in charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Chicago Field Office.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle P. Brady, the eight people charged face up to life imprisonment, a $10,000 fines and five years of supervised release.

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