INDIANAPOLIS — Four men were sentenced after distributing over 100 pounds of cocaine throughout central Indiana.
Here’s who was involved and what they were sentenced with:
- Kristopher Chavez, 38, of Gary: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine — 8 years, 11 months in federal prison; 5 years supervised release
- Eric Kendrick, 45, of Fishers: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine — 11 years, 8 months in federal prison; 5 years supervised release
- Delray Bragg, 42, of Richmond: Possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine — 5 years, 11 months in federal prison; 3 years supervised release
- Joaquin A. Ramirez-Molina, 41, of Phoenix, AZ: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances — 4 years, 9 months in federal prison; 3 years supervised release
In 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice said police identified a drug trafficking organization that was operating out of a business on Indianapolis’ near east side. Investigators learned that in 2019, Kendrick leased a commercial property at 5641 Massachusetts Ave.
The DOJ said Kendrick used this location as a “stash house for storing and distributing cocaine.”
On May 31, 2023, Ramirez‑Molina arrived at the stash house with two suitcases of cocaine. Chavez arrived at the house around the same time with “contraband” in his vehicle. The DOJ said the two then got items used to repack the drugs — including a vacuum sealer, heat‑seal bags, duct tape and a black duffel bag containing $200,000 in cash…