INDIANAPOLIS- Four individuals have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing at least 55 kilograms of cocaine throughout Central Indiana.DefendantCharge(s)SentenceKristopher Chavez, 38, Gary, INConspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine8 years, 11 months in federal prison; 5 years supervised releaseEric Kendrick, 45, Fishers, INConspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine11 years, 8 months in federal prison; 5 years supervised releaseDelray Bragg, 42, Richmond, INPossession with Intent to Distribute 5 Kilograms or More of Cocaine5 years, 11 months in federal prison; 3 years supervised releaseJoaquin A. Ramirez-Molina, 41, of Phoenix, AZConspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Controlled Substances4 years, 9 months in federal prison; 3 years supervised releaseAccording to court documents, law enforcement identified a drug trafficking organization operating out of a near east-side Indianapolis business in 2023. Investigators learned that in 2019, Eric Kendrick leased commercial property at 5641 Massachusetts Avenue. Law enforcement discovered that Kendrick used this location as a stash house for storing and distributing cocaine.On May 31, 2023, courier Joaquin Ramirez‑Molina arrived at the stash house with two suitcases filled with cocaine.
Around the same time, Kristopher Chavez arrived with contraband in his vehicle, and the pair retrieved items used to repackage the drugs, including a vacuum sealer, heat‑seal bags, duct tape, and a black duffel bag containing $200,000 in cash for payment.Moments later, Delray Bragg arrived to pick up ten kilograms of cocaine for redistribution. As he left the property, IMPD officers conducted a traffic stop. Before officers searched his vehicle, Bragg alerted other members of the organization via text message, prompting them to flee the stash house.Subsequent searches of the property and the defendants’ residences followed. In total, the investigation recovered the following contraband and proceeds of criminal activity:$582,591 in cash55 kilograms of cocaineRuger 57 PistolGlock 23 Gen 5 PistolGlock 22 Gen 4 PistolGlock 19 PistolGlock 27 PistolSig Saurer PistolPioneer Arms Co.
Handgun2023 Mercedes Benz1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu2014 Chevrolet CamaroAssorted ammunition“Shipments containing multiple kilograms of cocaine, delivered in suitcases, underscores the profound danger these drugs pose. The larger the number of drugs, the larger the threat to our community, and accordingly the more aggressive the response of my office and our law enforcement partners,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Our federal prosecutors remain steadfast in partnering with the DEA, ATF, and local drug task forces to remove dealers from our streets. These poisons are devastating our neighborhoods and the people we love, and we are committed to confronting that harm with every tool at our disposal.”The Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, IMPD, and the Hamilton/Boone Drug Task Force investigated this case.
The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge James R. Sweeney II.U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S.
Attorney Jayson W. McGrath and Matt Barloh, who prosecuted this case.###