A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Indiana has returned a 17-count indictment against DeCarlos L. Smallwood, Robert Sanders, Kumar Bishop, Sanena Williams, and DeCarlos C. Smallwood. The charges include drug trafficking, money laundering, firearms offenses related to methamphetamine distribution in South Bend, Indiana, and an alleged attempt by DeCarlos L. Smallwood to kill a federal official during his arrest on November 6, 2025.
Acting U.S. Attorney M. Scott Proctor stated: “Through this indictment, the grand jury has alleged that the defendants have committed exceedingly serious crimes. My office bears the burden of proving that the defendants are guilty of these charges. Meanwhile, I would like to remind the public of two things. First, the defendants are entitled to a fair trial and are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. And second, any credible allegation of attempted or actual violence against a federal agent will be pursued and, if appropriate, prosecuted by this office to the fullest extent of the law.”
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chip Cooke from the Drug Enforcement Administration commented: “The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) remains committed to the disruption, dismantlement, and destruction of drug trafficking organizations that are threats to our communities and nation. Violent drug trafficking organizations are an even worse threat. In this investigation, the collaborative effort among DEA and its law enforcement partners, which includes the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana, led the grand jury to return an indictment that should serve as a powerful sign to anyone seeking to bring violence and drug distribution to north central Indiana: You will be investigated, charged, and prosecuted.”
Authorities emphasized that an indictment is not evidence of guilt; all defendants remain presumed innocent unless proven otherwise at trial.
The investigation involves multiple agencies including DEA with support from FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; United States Postal Inspection Service; Indiana State Police; South Bend Police Department; St. Joseph County Police Department; and Mishawaka Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius is prosecuting.
This prosecution falls under Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) efforts established by Executive Order 14159—an initiative aimed at combating criminal cartels and transnational crime through interagency collaboration across federal law enforcement agencies.
