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 and 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 during a drug trafficking crime. According to court documents, on August 8, 2024, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) officers attempted to stop Garner for running a red light at Keystone Avenue and English Avenue. Garner fled from police, discarded a loaded Glock .40 handgun during the chase, and was eventually stopped in traffic on Hoyt Avenue.
A search of his vehicle uncovered 55 fentanyl pills, powder cocaine, and over $9,000 in cash. Later that day, investigators searched his home and found more than 1,000 M30 fentanyl pills, powder fentanyl, powder cocaine, various other pills, digital scales, pill presses, firearms including an AR-15-style rifle and machine gun conversion device, ammunition, and $11,550 in cash. In total authorities seized 244 grams of fentanyl and 470 grams of cocaine.
In an unrelated case decided on August 5th, Andres Hernandez-Alamar, 29, was sentenced to nearly four years (46 months) in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to attempted possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Court records state that on May 20th, 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 evidence on his phone linking him directly to the shipment through tracking information and text messages with a Mexican contact discussing the drugs.
“The fentanyl epidemic continues to claim lives across our country, and those who profit from its distribution will be held accountable,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “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.”
“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,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy O’Malley. “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 conducted investigations into both cases. Sentences were handed down by U.S. District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson as well as Chief U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II.
U.S. Attorney Wheeler expressed appreciation for Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Gibson and Jayson McGrath’s prosecution efforts.
