Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Previously Convicted Killer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Trafficking of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine
INDIANAPOLIS- John McDonough, 36, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and illegally possessing a firearm.
According to court documents, on April 7, 2021, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) officers executed a search warrant at John McDonough’s residence as part of a larger narcotics and firearms investigation. Prior to the search, McDonough advised officers that they would discover a firearm and methamphetamine inside of a shoebox in the garage. Officers did locate these items in the shoebox, as well as a baggie containing fentanyl.
During the execution of the search warrant, police located a total of 879 grams of methamphetamine, 150 grams of fentanyl, a digital scale, four firearms, and approximately $37,000 in U.S. currency, and a money counting machine. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, depending on a person’s body size, tolerance, and past usage.
In a recorded interview with law enforcement officers, McDonough admitted to possessing the illegal drugs with the intent to distribute them to other individuals and possessing the firearm. McDonough also told investigators that he had dealt methamphetamine in quantities ranging from one to twenty pounds over the past year.
At the time of his arrest, McDonough had previously been convicted of Reckless Homicide, prohibiting him from ever again legally owning a firearm under federal law.
“It is utterly unacceptable for a convicted killer to continue to break the law by engaging in armed trafficking of deadly drugs including fentanyl and methamphetamine,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Criminals like this defendant perpetuate the cycle of substance abuse disorders and fatal overdoses by trafficking deadly drugs into our neighborhoods. I commend the outstanding work of the ATF and IMPD to increase public safety and help break the cycle of dependence and death.”
“It is an unfortunate fact that drug dealers use firearms to protect their illegal business and terrorize the communities they inhabit,” stated Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “We will continue to work day in and out with our local and state partners to find those using firearms to put this poison into our communities and remove them so they cannot cause more harm.”
ATF and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James P. Hanlon. Judge Hanlon also ordered that McDonough be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Jayson McGrath who prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.