Darod Wheeler, 55, of Gary, Indiana, was found guilty by a jury for trafficking methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin after a two-day trial presided over by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon, according to an announcement on June 18 by United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Sentencing for Wheeler is scheduled for October 8. Trial testimony and documents in the case indicated that on July 24, 2025, during an initial controlled purchase outside his residence in Gary, Wheeler sold more than five grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of fentanyl to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. Five days later, on July 29, Wheeler again sold more than five grams of methamphetamine along with quantities of fentanyl and heroin to the same informant during another controlled purchase at the same location.
The jury heard that less than an hour after the second transaction concluded on July 29, officers searched Wheeler’s residence and recovered the money used in both drug purchases. After being advised of his Miranda rights following the search, Wheeler confessed to drug trafficking, according to trial testimony.
U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred said, “The Defendant was found guilty for Trafficking Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, and Heroin. According to trial testimony and documents in the case…the Defendant confessed to drug trafficking.”
The jury also determined that Wheeler has a prior federal conviction for distribution of fentanyl in the Northern District of Indiana—a crime classified as a ‘serious drug felony.’ He served more than twelve months’ imprisonment for this previous offense and was released within fifteen years before the current offenses occurred on July 24 and July 29 last year. Based on this prior conviction under federal law, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration along with Porter County Multi-Enforcement Group, Porter County Sheriff’s Office, and Valparaiso Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Kristian R. Mukoski and Ambris Saravanan.