Indianapolis police and federal agents rolled through the Northside in force Friday, February 23, 2018, smashing a heavily armed drug trafficking organization led by Devon Price, 31, a/k/a Big Mike. Fourteen defendants were arrested in a sweeping takedown that netted over $20,000 in cash, 29 cell phones, 10 firearms, and large quantities of methamphetamine, marijuana, and synthetic cannabinoids. The operation targeted a violent network that had turned parts of northeast Indianapolis into a war zone for profit.
Among those arrested were William Bobo, 25; Michael Graham, 23, a/k/a Mike-Mike; Alan Wann, 20, a/k/a Boogie; Dujaun Terry, 21, a/k/a Juan-Juan, a/k/a Youngster; Ricky Wilburn, 24; and Henry Phillips, 25—all from Indianapolis. All face federal charges including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking offense, and illegal possession of a firearm. Many had prior convictions that legally barred them from possessing weapons—yet they armed themselves anyway.
U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler tied the takedown directly to his January 2018 rollout of the district’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. “Each IMPD district has an Assistant United States Attorney assigned to work closely with our law enforcement partners to prosecute the most violent offenders who terrorize our neighborhoods,” Minkler said. “If you choose to use guns to further your criminal activities, look over your shoulder because federal law enforcement is watching.”
The investigation, led by the ATF-Achilles Task Force and IMPD North District Narcotics Unit, began in May 2017. It revealed that members of the group, many of whom identified with the name Stupid Star Entertainment (SSE)—a supposed rap collective based in an area they called “Gangsterville”—were actually running a brutal drug enterprise. The moniker masked a criminal enterprise steeped in violence, with several suspects linked to shootings and armed confrontations in the North District.
Friday’s arrests built on earlier federal actions that already brought down Mose Bell, 42; William Elliott, 24; Corey Gibson, 39; Tracy Hollowell, 23; Derrick Motley, 27; Jonathan Talley, 25; and Larry Wood, 43—all from Indianapolis. These cases are part of a broader push to dismantle interconnected trafficking rings using federal firepower to bypass local sentencing limits and ensure long prison terms.
“The collective efforts of IMPD and our federal partners continue to send a formidable message that violence will not be accepted in our community,” said Chief Bryan Roach. Trevor Velinor, ATF Special Agent in Charge, added: “These arrests represent the culmination of countless hours of investigative work.” On the streets of Indianapolis, the message is clear: even the most entrenched crews aren’t untouchable.
Related Federal Cases
- Wymer Crew Busted in Multi-State Truck Chop Shop Ring · Michigan
- Chicago Man Richard Fleming Gets 4 Years for Drug Cash Pickup · Indiana
- Brayan Quinonez Sentenced in Massive Indy Drug Ring · Indiana
- Chapo Castro-Aguirre’s Drug Ring Busted in Indiana · New York
- Tereso Galindo Gets 33 Months for Illegal Reentry After Felony · Michigan
Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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