⏱ 2 min read
A 27-year-old Indianapolis man was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for selling fentanyl that led to a deadly overdose in July 2025. Arieon Lofton pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
The victim, identified as J.A., arranged a trade for suboxone strips and Xanax with a phone number registered to Valencia Griffin, who’s currently serving 11 years for dealing narcotics. Investigators recovered text messages showing Griffin, her boyfriend Martell Marshall, and Lofton were involved in the deal.
When police searched Lofton’s apartment, they found multiple phones, marijuana, and pills. A search warrant uncovered four active cell phones and five additional phones in the bathroom. The phones pinged at Lofton’s girlfriend’s apartment, confirming his involvement.
Lofton initially retreated into a bedroom when police arrived, but his girlfriend eventually let them in. The search revealed a stash of phones and narcotics, sealing the case against the fentanyl dealer.
The fatal overdose happened on July 30, 2025, just days after J.A. arranged the deal with Griffin’s phone number. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and DEA worked together to bring Lofton to justice.
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📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Drug Trafficking
- Defendant: Indiana
- Location: IN
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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