Two Indianapolis men have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in fentanyl distribution in separate cases.
Richard Garner III, 38, received a 15-year federal prison sentence followed by eight years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute at least 40 grams of fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to court documents, on August 8, 2024, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers attempted to stop Garner for running a red light. Garner fled from police, discarded a loaded handgun during the chase, and was eventually stopped in traffic.
A search of Garner’s vehicle led officers to find 55 fentanyl pills, powder cocaine, and over $9,000 in cash. A subsequent search of his home uncovered more than 1,000 M30 fentanyl pills, powder fentanyl, powder cocaine, various other pills, digital scales, pill presses, additional firearms including an AR-15-style rifle and a machine gun conversion device, ammunition, and $11,550 in cash. In total, authorities seized 244 grams of fentanyl and 470 grams of cocaine from Garner.
In an unrelated case, Andres Hernandez-Alamar, 29, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to attempted possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. On May 20, 2022, IMPD detectives were alerted about a U.S. Postal Service package containing over one kilogram (1,165 grams) of fentanyl addressed to an Indianapolis residence. Hernandez-Alamar denied knowledge of the package but investigators found the parcel’s tracking number and incriminating text messages on his phone showing communication with a Mexican contact regarding the drugs.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana Tom Wheeler stated: “The fentanyl epidemic continues to claim lives across our country, and those who profit from its distribution will be held accountable. Thanks to the outstanding work of our law enforcement partners, two dangerous individuals are now off the streets of Indianapolis and no longer able to threaten the safety of our community.”
FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy O’Malley added: “Every dose of fentanyl distributed has the potential to destroy a life and leave a family shattered. Those who traffic it are fueling a deadly epidemic with zero regard for the lives they ruin. These sentences represent justice for the countless victims – many of them young people – who will never have the chance to recover. The FBI stands with those families and, along with our law enforcement partners, remains unwavering in our mission to stop the flow of this deadly drug into our communities.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and IMPD investigated both cases. Sentences were handed down by U.S. District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson and Chief U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Gibson and Jayson McGrath prosecuted these cases.
