11 arrested in crackdown on violent Westside heroin ring

Thirteen people are facing federal charges after a crackdown by federal and local authorities on what officials called a violent, deep-pocketed and heavily armed heroin-trafficking operation on Indianapolis’ Westside.

Eleven of those people, including alleged ringleader David McMichel, aka “White Boy,” were arrested Wednesday. Two remain at large.

U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler, along with state and local officials, announced the dismantling of the McMichel Drug Trafficking Organization during a news conference Wednesday. The group trafficked large amounts of drugs — up to 1 pound of heroin and 2 pounds of crystal methamphetamine — and racked up thousands of dollars in drug proceeds, according to a probable cause affidavit. Minkler said drug proceeds in just one transaction were nearly $80,000.

McMichel, also known as David Webster, ran the operation from his house in the 2500 block of Jackson Street, just south of Washington Street, while he was on house arrest for a third felony. Court records say he received large quantities of heroin and methamphetamine from his suppliers in Arizona to Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and other locations. The shipments were then distributed to middle-level dealers and customers. McMichel also arranged for the drugs to be stored in stash houses around Indianapolis, officials say.

The group, Minkler said, also ordered juveniles to try to get firearms.

McMichel, 31, and two of his alleged suppliers, Fernando Vaca-Mata, 32, and Jose Prieto, 33, aka “Nuco,” are charged with possession and distribution of a Schedule II controlled substance. All three were arrested Wednesday.

“This is the face of organized crime today. These defendants are some of the most violent in Indianapolis,” Minkler said. “Not only did they sell large quantities of narcotics, but most had prior felony convictions and used firearms and threatened acts of violence in furtherance of their crimes.”

McMichel, Minkler said, ordered the shooting deaths of several people associated with the group. In a wiretapped conversation, McMichel said he had a block-long list of people he wanted killed and had members of his group get Facebook pictures of his targets, according to court records.

Based on that wiretap, police arrested James Caldwell, aka “Bo,” who was in possession of a loaded 9mm handgun, Minkler said. Caldwell was on probation for manslaughter and could not legally possess a firearm.

Investigation into the drug-trafficking group began in December and ended in August. Court records say a confidential informant, who was being investigated for methamphetamine distribution, agreed to cooperate with investigators hoping to avoid criminal charges.

Detectives tracked 36 drug transactions from Dec. 29 to Aug. 17 through surveillance and wiretaps.

Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies served search and arrest warrants Wednesday morning. Officials say a woman, who was not named, fired at officers during a raid in the 1200 block of North Groff Avenue, near West 16th Street and North Tibbs Avenue on the Westside. Officers didn’t fire back, and no one was injured.

Police confiscated 19 firearms, $160,000 in cash and several pounds of heroin and methamphetamine from the group.

Also arrested were: Sophia Gutierrez, 33; Steven Nichols, aka “Stevie,” 39; Shewanna Jackson, 32; Tyrel Barker, aka “T,” 48; Michael Wrightsman, aka “Mike Mike,” 42; Forest Toliver, aka “Bear,” 33; and Beronta Smith, aka “B12,” 36.

Jacob Dodson, aka “Jake,” 24; and Steven Eldridge Jr., aka “Little Stevie,” 21, are still at large.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Preston, the lead prosecutor on the case, said all defendants, who are facing possession and distribution charges, face decades in federal prison if convicted. He said he could not reveal the terms of McMichel’s house arrest but said McMichel was wearing a GPS monitor when he was arrested. Court records show that McMichel pleaded guilty in March to resisting law enforcement and was sentenced to a year of home detention.

The case was jointly investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Hamilton-Boone County Drug Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the Metro Drug Task Force and the Marion County prosecutor’s office.

Minkler said the organization bears some resemblance to an Indianapolis gang called Block Burners, which, officials say, was dismantled in July after the arrest of 35 members. Both groups, Minkler said, are violent and threatening neighborhood groups.

The bust comes at a time when heroin deaths in the state have soared. In 2013, the state recorded 152 deaths linked to heroin overdose, up from just three 10 years ago. On Tuesday, Gov. Mike Pence launched a new task force charged with combating drug abuse in the state.

Call Star reporter Kristine Guerra at (317) 444-6209. Follow her on Twitter: @kristine_guerra.