Staff report
INDIANAPOLIS – June 26, 2023
Federal indictments have been issued against 19 individuals involved in armed fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking organizations operating in Central Indiana. The charges include illegal possession of firearms and machine guns, as well as trafficking hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills and hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana announced the charges on Friday, June 23, 2023.
Among the defendants, Jordan Alexander, aged 33 and from Indianapolis, Indiana, has been charged with possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Jaraughn Bertram, also known as Bandman, Ron-Ron, and Javon’s World, remains a fugitive and faces charges including conspiracy to possess and distribute fentanyl, continuing criminal enterprise, attempted possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The current location of Bertram, aged 20, is unknown.
Other defendants facing various charges related to fentanyl trafficking include Jayden Bertram, aged 22 from Carmel, Indiana; Joaquin Carranza, also known as Chef, aged 18 with a current unknown location; Isaiah Chest, aged 21 from Indianapolis; Elijah Conn, also known as Whiteboy Eli, from Greenwood, Indiana; Tameico Johnson, also known as Meekeey, aged 22 from Fishers, Indiana; Brittina Jones, also known as Tina, aged 43 from Indianapolis; Courtlin Moncrief, also known as Tenny and Ten Pack, aged 29 from Avon, Indiana; George Muncy, aged 56 from Greenwood, Indiana; Rhonda Muncy, aged 55 from Greenwood, Indiana; Deondre Perry, also known as Dre, from Greenwood, Indiana; Dewell Simpson, also known as PB, aged 18 from Indianapolis, Indiana; Jamie Sullivan, also known as Jay, aged 22 from Indianapolis, Indiana; Jordan Sumner, aged 22 with a current unknown location; Monica Sumner, aged 20 from Indianapolis, Indiana; Kenan Wharton, aged 18 from Indianapolis, Indiana; and Brooke Woods, aged 23 from Greenwood, Indiana.
A coordinated multiagency operation involving federal, state, and local law enforcement officers from 16 different agencies resulted in the execution of arrest warrants and search warrants at 18 locations in Central Indiana and Arizona on June 22nd. Out of the 19 individuals charged, 16 have been arrested and are now in federal custody, while three remain fugitives.
According to court documents and information presented in open court, Jaraughn Bertram and Deondre Perry are believed to have led drug trafficking organizations operating in Central Indiana. These organizations allegedly trafficked substantial quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine from Arizona to various areas in Indiana, including Indianapolis, Anderson, and Muncie. The organizations were reported to have possessed and used firearms, including converted fully automatic firearms (commonly known as machine guns), to further their drug trafficking activities.
Machinegun conversion devices, referred to as “Glock switches” or “auto-sears,” were found during the investigation. These devices convert semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic machine guns. It is illegal to possess or sell such conversion devices without a special license, as they are considered machine guns under federal law.
During the year-long investigation, law enforcement seized significant quantities of drugs, firearms, and other contraband associated with criminal activity. The seizures included over 32.8 kilograms (72.3 pounds) of fentanyl or over 320,000 fentanyl pills, over 53.5 kilograms (117.9 pounds) of methamphetamine, over 205.6 kilograms (453.2 pounds) of marijuana, 113 firearms, 60 machinegun conversion devices, and over $521,000 in cash.
If convicted, each defendant could face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
It is important to note that an indictment or criminal complaint represents allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
