Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana
Lamone Lauderdale, a 37-year-old resident of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to over 20 years in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearm charges. Following his prison term, Lauderdale will also serve five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
The case dates back to January 19, 2022, when Lauderdale was stopped by a Zionsville Police Department K9 officer for speeding. A subsequent K9 sniff revealed the presence of controlled substances in his vehicle. Upon being asked to exit the car, Lauderdale fled the scene, leading officers on a high-speed chase along US-421. The pursuit ended near Michigan Road in Indianapolis after he struck two vehicles and damaged his tire on a median. Despite attempting to escape on foot with a black bag, Lauderdale was apprehended without the bag.
Officers later found the abandoned bag containing significant quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, as well as drug paraphernalia and firearms. Additional drugs and weapons were discovered during a search of his vehicle.
John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana stated: “Traffickers of deadly drugs, armed with deadly weapons, are a poison in our communities.” He commended law enforcement efforts stating: “With our federal, state, and local partners, we are committed to ensuring dangerous criminals are taken off our streets.”
The investigation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) alongside the Zionsville Police Department. U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II handed down the sentence.
Acting U.S. Attorney Childress expressed gratitude towards Assistant U.S. Attorney Jayson W. McGrath for prosecuting this case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community organizations.