INDIANAPOLIS- A federal grand jury returned a 28‑count indictment charging 12 alleged members of a racketeering enterprise accused of orchestrating widespread criminal activity in Indianapolis, including murder, kidnapping, assault, arson, drug trafficking, and illegal firearms crimes. The first of these defendants made their initial appearance today in the Southern District of Indiana.“The superseding indictment in this case alleges, among other things, that these defendants shot and killed a man for slamming the door of a drug house, shot another man in the leg for a $40 drug debt, pistol-whipped at least two other people, and dealt all manner of drugs, including heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This type of alleged drug dealing and violence ruins communities, people, and their families. Drugs and gang violence are a scourge. These groups will be dismantled and prosecuted.” “The allegations in this indictment describe a criminal organization that maintained a grip on Indianapolis neighborhoods for years through fear, violence, and devastation,” aid U.S. Attorney Tom Wheeler for the Southern District of Indiana. “We will not allow groups that traffic deadly drugs, terrorize residents, and retaliate against witnesses to operate with impunity. We are grateful for the outstanding work of our federal, state, and local partners whose collaboration made today’s charges possible.”“Violent criminal organizations that use fear, intimidation, and physical violence to further their operations have no place in our communities,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “This case reflects the FBI’s commitment to working alongside our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and hold accountable those responsible for fueling violence and organized criminal activity. We will continue using every available resource to protect the public and pursue those who believe they can operate above the law.”“The level of violence carried out by this criminal enterprise is both incomprehensible and deeply disturbing. Taking human lives over matters so trivial offends the basic sensibilities of any civilized society. The team of United States Attorneys, Special Agents, and police officers involved in this investigation worked tirelessly to dismantle this organization and bring those responsible to justice. We could not be prouder of, or grateful for, their extraordinary efforts. Residents of Indianapolis can sleep a little easier tonight knowing these defendants are in custody and no longer able to inflict violence on the community," said ATF Columbus Special Agent in Charge Jorge A. Rosendo.“This criminal organization brought violence and chaos into our community, impacting countless lives,” said Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigations Kendale Adams. “Through strong partnerships with our state and federal law enforcement partners, we identified and apprehended violent offenders and removed them from our neighborhoods. This type of strategic investigation and enforcement is essential to holding those who threaten the safety of our community accountable.”According to court documents, between early 2019 and December 2024, the criminal organization known as the “Crown Hill Enterprise” allegedly operated to enrich its members and associates through the distribution of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, heroin, oxycodone pills, and fentanyl. The organization maintained at least 11 “trap houses” throughout Indianapolis and created fictitious business entities to conceal the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of its illicit proceeds.The enterprise sought to preserve, expand, and protect its power, territory, reputation, and profits through intimidation and acts of violence, including murder, kidnapping, assault, arson, threats of violence, and the display of firearms…
Source: U.S. Department of Justice