Beginning in April 2025 Investigators from the Kokomo Police Special Investigations Unit / Drug Task Force initiated “Operation Butterball”. During the course of the operation, Investigators were able to complete the following:
- Undercover Controlled Buys – Approx. (55)
- Search Warrants – Approx. (25)
- Arrests – Approx. (40)
- Suspected Illegal Drugs Seized
o Methamphetamine – Approx. 2,121 grams (4.5 pounds)
o Cocaine – Approx. 575 grams (1.2 pounds)
o Heroin – Approx. 345 grams (3/4 pound)
o Fentanyl – Approx. 84 grams (3 ounces)
The Kokomo Police Department Special Investigations Unit / Drug Task Force was assisted during “Operation Butterball” by the following agencies:
- Kokomo Police – K9 Unit, Patrol Division & Criminal Investigations Section
- Howard County Sheriff’s Department – Task Force, K9 Unit & Patrol Division
- Howard County Adult Probation
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration
The following individuals were arrested and charged with:
Justin Camp
• Dealing in Methamphetamine – Level 2 Felony
• Dealing in Methamphetamine – Level 4 Felony
Kimber Irwin
• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 2 Felony
• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 3 Felony
• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 4 Felony
Melissa Bray (Mendenhall)
• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 3 Felony
• Dealing Narcotic Drug – Level 4 Felony
• Dealing Narcotic Drug – Level 5 Felony
Kristin Summitt
• Dealing in Cocaine – Level 3 Felony
Paula Mashburn
• Dealing in Cocaine – Level 3 Felony
Zyonna Wilson
• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 4 Felony
• Possession of Legend Drug or Precursor – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Schedule II,III,IV Drug – Class A Misdemeanor
Dion Jones
• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 3 Felony
• Dealing in Cocaine – Level 3 Felony
• Dealing in Cocaine – Level 4 Felony
Angela Woodard
• Dealing in Cocaine – Level 4 Felony
Dariel Jones
• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 2 Felony
• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 2 Felony
• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 2 Felony
• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 2 Felony
• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 2 Felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 3 Felony
• Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon – Level 4 Felony
Jennifer Lewis
• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 2 Felony
• Dealing Cocaine – Level 2 Felony
• Possession of Cocaine – Level 3 Felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 4 Felony
Jennifer Smith
• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 2 Felony
• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 3 Felony
• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 3 Felony
• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 4 Felony
• Dealing in a Schedule II Controlled Substance – Level 5 Felony
• Dealing in a Schedule IV Controlled Substance – Class A Misdemeanor
Joseph Tarlton
• Dealing in Methamphetamine – Level 3 Felony
Justin Mundy
• Non-Compliance with Community Corrections
o Trafficking with an Inmate – Level 5 Felony
o Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 Felony
Jennifer Kemp
• Neglect of a Dependent – Level 6 Felony
• Neglect of a Dependent – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 Felony
Melissa Croddy
• Possession of a Narcotic Drug – Level 6 Felony
Kyleann Warner
• Dealing in a Narcotic Drug – Level 5 Felony
• Neglect of a Dependent – Level 5 Felony
• Neglect of a Dependent – Level 5 Felony
• Possession of a Narcotic Drug – Level 6 Felony
• Unlawful Possession of a Syringe – Level 6 Felony
Trisha Shepard
• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 2 Felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 3 Felony
Demon Varnado
• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 2 Felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 3 Felony
Elijah Allison
• Dealing in Methamphetamine – Level 3 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement – Level 6 Felony
Maggie Gaylor
• Possession of Paraphernalia – Class C Misdemeanor
Rory Lindsay
• Possession of Narcotic Drug – Level 6 Felony
Shannon Morgan
• Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of a Syringe – Level 6 Felony
Telisha Steffe
• Possession of Marijuana – Class B Misdemeanor
• Possession of Paraphernalia – Class C Misdemeanor
Trenton Breedlove
• Possession of Paraphernalia – Class C Misdemeanor
Bryan Hill
• Dealing in Cocaine – Level 2 Felony
• Possession of Cocaine – Level 3 Felony
• Dealing in a Schedule I Controlled Substance – Level 3 Felony
• Neglect of a Dependent – Level 5 Felony
• Possession of a Controlled Substance – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Marijuana – Class B Misdemeanor
Samantha Hill
• Dealing in Cocaine – Level 2 Felony
• Possession of Cocaine – Level 3 Felony
• Dealing in a Schedule I Controlled Substance – Level 3 Felony
• Neglect of a Dependent – Level 5 Felony
• Possession of a Controlled Substance – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Marijuana – Class B Misdemeanor
Courey Jennette-Beets
• Revoke Suspended Sentence
o Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Dangerous Person – Level 5 Felony
Eric Lavengood
• Violation of Probation
o Dealing in a Narcotic Drug – Level 5 Felony
o Possession of Paraphernalia – Class C Misdemeanor
Carlos Rivera Cruz
• Failure to Appear
o Possession of Paraphernalia – Class C Misdemeanor
Martin Cox
• Unlawful Possession of a Syringe – Level 6 Felony
Michelle Minor
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Level 6 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement – Class A Misdemeanor
• Disorderly Conduct – Class B Misdemeanor
Dion Smith Jr
• Resisting Law Enforcement – Level 6 Felony
• Resisting Law enforcement – Class A Misdemeanor
• Reckless Driving – Class C Misdemeanor
Leroy Sherman
• Non-Compliance
o Dealing in a Narcotic Drug – Level 3 Felony
o Dealing in a Narcotic Drug – Level 4 Felony
• Escape – Level 6 Felony
Ronnie Bertrand
• Petition to Revoke
o Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 Felony
o Possession of Marijuana – Class B Misdemeanor
• Failure to Appear
o Criminal Mischief – Class B Misdemeanor
Jeremy Mckinney
• Failure to Appear
o Residential Entry – Level 6 Felony
o Criminal Mischief – Class A Misdemeanor
o Criminal Trespass – Class A Misdemeanor
o Criminal Trespass – Class A Misdemeanor
o Criminal Mischief – Class B Misdemeanor
o Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle – Class B Misdemeanor
Additional arrests are expected to be made in reference to “Operation Butterball” as multiple individuals remain at large.
Anyone with information regarding this operation is asked to contact Detective Grahm Dennis #413 or the Kokomo Police Department Hotline (765-456-7017). You may qualify for a cash reward by calling Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-262-TIPS with your anonymous tip. This case remains active for investigation. Remember all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
