United States Drug Enforcement Administration

EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-Indianapolis, and U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana announced that Johntavis Matlock, 31, of Evansville, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison. In September 2023, a federal jury found Matlock guilty of distribution of heroin and fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury.

According to court documents and evidence introduced during trial, on December 11, 2020, Kentucky law enforcement officers responded to the overdose of 28-year-old Lindsey Wiley in her Kentucky residence. Knowing about this near-death overdose, Matlock continued to invite Lindsey to buy heroin laced with fentanyl.

On Feb. 28, 2021, EMS and local law enforcement responded to another overdose at the same residence. This time, they found Wiley deceased. The cause of death was determined to be an overdose caused by fentanyl intoxication.

An examination of Wiley’s cell phone revealed that Wiley frequently purchased controlled substances from Matlock. From June 2020 through February 2021, Matlock coordinated with Wiley to sell her both heroin and fentanyl out of his home in Evansville.

During the sentencing hearing, evidence was admitted showing that children lived in the residence from which Matlock sold heroin and fentanyl mixtures to Lindsey Wiley.

“The tragic death of Ms. Wiley highlights the tremendous danger posed by trafficking of fentanyl and other opioids,” said U.S. Attorney Myers. “Substance use disorder is a devastating disease that international drug cartels and local dealers greedily exploit. Thanks to the hard work of our prosecutors, the DEA, EPD, ISP, and our partners in Kentucky law enforcement, no more families will lose a loved one because of this defendant while he is in federal prison.”

“The DEA would like to continue to extend their deepest condolences to the Wiley family for the tragic passing of Ms. Lindsey Wiley. Additionally, the DEA would like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana for their diligent work in prosecuting this
important case," said DEA ASAC Gannon. "The collaborative work of all agencies in this case has led to some solace for the Wiley family and the community that loved Lindsey so dearly. Individuals like Mr. Matlock who recklessly distribute deadly poisons, like fentanyl, in our communities must be held accountable and the sentence imposed today was righteous and justified."

The DEA, Indiana State Police, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, Evansville Police Department, Henderson County (Kentucky) Sheriff’s Office, and the Pennyrile (Kentucky) Narcotics Task Force investigated this case.

The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew P. Brookman. Judge Brookman also ordered that Matlock be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for three years following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristian Mukoski and Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case.