United States Drug Enforcement Administration

INDIANAPOLIS – Michael J. 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 a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging 21 individuals for their roles in an Indianapolis-based drug trafficking organization with conspiracies to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. The indictment was unsealed July 21 following their arrests and initial appearances.

As alleged in court documents, Keith Jones, aka “Keybo,” 56, Indianapolis, was the alleged leader of a drug trafficking organization that operated in Indianapolis. Jones received parcels containing large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl from Kevin Backstrom, 56, of Los Angeles and another individual in Desert Hot Springs, California. Jones directed other individuals to receive the drug parcels at their residences and places of business and transport the drugs to a stash location at 2877 North Centennial Street in Indianapolis. Jones then delivered the controlled substances to other individuals for redistribution. The indictment also alleges that Jones enlisted his 12-year-old daughter to assist him in the distribution of the controlled substances.

In addition, DEA filed a federal criminal complaint against Michael Tyrone Hill of Indianapolis for the offenses of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

Law enforcement officers from 22 different agencies served search and arrest warrants at 25 locations in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Los Angeles on July 21, ultimately arresting 20 individuals. During the execution of the search warrants, officers seized approximately 43 firearms, $300,000 in U.S. currency, four ounces of methamphetamine, one kilogram of cocaine and two kilograms of fentanyl. As little as 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, depending on a person’s body size, tolerance and past usage. One kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people.

The following individuals are in custody or have been ordered to appear in federal court:
 

The defendants face the following possible penalties, if convicted:

Actual sentences are determined by a federal district court judge and are typically less than the maximum penalties.

Joining ASAC Gannon and U.S. Attorney Myers in making the announcement were Chief Randal Taylor, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Major Charles Harting, Hamilton-Boone County Drug Task Force, Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division, and Justin Campbell, Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation.

This case was the result of an investigation by the DEA, the IRS Criminal Investigations, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Drug Task Force, the Hamilton/Boone County Drug Task Force, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Brad Blackington, who is prosecuting this case.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.