Indiana – Ten people, from Indiana and New York, tied to a sprawling drug network that moved large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine across central and southern Indiana will spend years, in some cases decades, behind bars after being sentenced in federal court.
According to the Department of Justice, the operation stretched from Indianapolis to Muncie and Terre Haute and into other parts of the Southern District of Indiana, was active between October 2022 and November 2023. Federal prosecutors said the group was responsible for trafficking staggering amounts of narcotics: at least 108 kilograms of methamphetamine, 4 kilograms of fentanyl, and 6 kilograms of cocaine.
At the center of the network was Joshua Kendall, 44, of Indianapolis. Investigators identified him as the leader of the Indianapolis-based distribution ring. Authorities said Kendall not only coordinated the flow of drugs but also used threats to intimidate and control others working under him. He received the harshest sentence, 33 years in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.
Wesley Young, 49, of Hudson, New York, was sentenced to 23 years in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Several others also received lengthy terms for their roles in the conspiracy.
David Bork, 38, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to 14 years for distributing 500 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine. Alex Members, 47, of Indianapolis, was ordered to serve 13 years. Tia Wampler, 36, of Bloomington, and Brian Connelly, 57, of Romney, each received 10-year sentences.
Fynn Fox, 55, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to eight years and one month. Terry Pounds, 48, of Muncie, was ordered to serve five and a half years for possessing with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine.
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Richard Moore, 46, of Marion, received five years, and Taneesha Robertson, 45, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to four years. All defendants will also serve supervised release terms ranging from two to ten years after completing their prison sentences.
The case culminated on November 8, 2023, when law enforcement agencies executed multiple search warrants simultaneously at homes and vehicles connected to the defendants. Authorities seized 25,000 fentanyl pills, two pounds of methamphetamine, nearly 350 grams of cocaine base, 225 grams of cocaine, and 487 grams of fentanyl mixed with xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer known to dangerously suppress breathing and heart rate and reduce the effectiveness of overdose-reversal drugs like Narcan.
Officers also confiscated an array of firearms, including multiple 9mm handguns, revolvers, shotguns, and rifles, along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Nearly $19,000 in cash, digital scales, cutting agents, and multiple cell phones were also recovered and forfeited.
U.S. Attorney Tom Wheeler called the outcome a significant victory for Indiana communities.
“Dismantling a drug trafficking organization responsible for pumping massive quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl into our communities is a major victory for law enforcement and for every Hoosier,” said Tom Wheeler.
“Because of the exceptional, collaborative work of our federal, state, and local partners, we achieved a remarkable outcome that sends a crystal‑clear message to major drug dealers: we will continue our relentless pursuit to dismantle your illicit operations and protect the people of Indiana.”
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Gerald Dooley, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the DEA’s Indianapolis District Office, emphasized the scale of the threat posed by the network, noting the volume of drugs distributed across multiple counties. He credited strong coordination among federal, state, and local agencies for the takedown.
The investigation involved the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS Criminal Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and the Vigo County Drug Task Force. U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon imposed the sentences.
Federal prosecutors said the case was part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established under Executive Order 14159, aimed at protecting communities from large-scale criminal enterprises.
