Manuel L. Brown, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Indiana 2020

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – A federal jury has found Manuel L. Brown, 49, of Indianapolis, guilty of trafficking methamphetamine, carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The verdict comes after a trial that showcased the brazen operation of a heavily armed meth dealer in the city.

According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, on September 3, 2020, Fishers Police officers were on active patrol when they observed a Dodge Caravan commit multiple traffic violations. Officers conducted a routine traffic stop and identified Manuel Brown as the driver. A K9 officer was called to the scene and dedicated the presence of drugs inside the vehicle.

Officers searched the van and located a glass smoking pipe with methamphetamine residue in the center console, a loaded .22 caliber revolver, an additional .22 caliber revolver, a loaded Smith and Wesson revolver, a zippered case containing a loaded.45 caliber pistol, multiple plastic bags containing a total of 214 grams of methamphetamine, 20 grams of heroin and fentanyl, and two digital scales, plastic bags for packaging drugs, a night vision rifle scope, multiple boxes of ammunition, and $1,750 in cash.

At the time of his arrest, Brown had a prior felony conviction for criminal confinement, and was prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. The sheer amount of illicit goods and firearms seized at the scene left no doubt about the extent of his operation.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Fishers Police Department investigated this case, with U.S. District Court Judge James R. Sweeney presiding over the trial. Brown faces up to life in federal prison and will be sentenced at a later date. U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers praised the officers, agents, and prosecutors who disrupted Brown’s crimes and ensured he will be held accountable.

Brown’s conviction is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement and the federal prosecutors who worked tirelessly to bring him to justice. The people of Indiana can rest easier knowing that another heavily armed meth dealer has been taken off the streets.

The exact charges against Brown include: trafficking methamphetamine, carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The case is a prime example of the ongoing efforts to combat the scourge of methamphetamine and gun violence in our communities.

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