Franklin man among those charged in federal indictment in takedown of meth trafficking conspiracy

Ten individuals were arrested and are in federal custody. Joseph A. Grubb remains a fugitive.

Eleven individuals have been charged in a federal indictment alleging a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Indianapolis and elsewhere.

The charges follow a successful law enforcement operation in which 10 of the 11 individuals were arrested and federal agents and local officers seized eight firearms and quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and marijuana.

The following lists the individuals indicted and charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine:

    Matthew R.P. Fishman, 38, Bloomington

    Megan L. Gaskin, 29, Indianapolis

    Joseph A. Grubb, 37, Bloomfield

    Amanda N. Hornaday, 40, Indianapolis

    Candace L. Rich, 44, Indianapolis

    Ashley N. Russell, 38, Indianapolis

    Colton K. Shorkey, 33, Franklin

    James M. Sublett Jr., 39, Westfield

    James L. Tyus Jr., 39, Indianapolis

    Kelly A. Willis, 52, Indianapolis

    Thomas R. Winkley, 45, Indianapolis

This was a multiagency operation, involving 16 agencies, who executed 22 arrest and search warrants at 11 locations in Central Indiana on the morning of November 20, 2024. Ten individuals were arrested and are in federal custody. Joseph A. Grubb remains a fugitive.

According to the indictment, from February 2024 through November 14, 2024, all eleven defendants allegedly conspired together to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. James L. Tyus Jr. allegedly acted as the leader of the operation and was supplied methamphetamine by James M. Sublett Jr. The remaining nine defendants allegedly served as dealers and distributers.

The alleged meth deals took place at several locations across Indianapolis including parking lots, gas stations, apartment complexes, motels, and a gentleman’s club.

If convicted, each defendant faces up to life in federal prison.

The following investigative agencies collaborated to make this investigation and recent warrant execution possible:

    Drug Enforcement Administration

    Internal Revenue Service

    Metropolitan Drug Task Force

    Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department

    United States Marshal’s Service

    Federal Bureau of Investigation

    Lawrence Police Department

    Hamilton/Boone County Drug Task Force

    Franklin Police Department

    Indiana State Police

    Beech Grove Police Department

    Johnson County Sheriff’s Office

    Brownsburg Police Department

    Indiana National Guard

    Bloomington Police Department

    Greene County Sheriff’s Department

“Getting deadly drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl off our streets is a top priority for our office,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “That is why working with our partners at DEA, IMPD, and across federal, state, and local law enforcement is so important. We are committed to identifying drug traffickers and holding them accountable in federal court.”

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