Evansville, IN – Six Evansville residents were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a drug trafficking organization that distributed methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine throughout Southern Indiana, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The defendants received sentences ranging from time served to 28 years in federal prison. Lovechild McGuire, 33, was sentenced to 28 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Prosecutors identified McGuire as the local leader of the trafficking organization.
Christopher Flax, 50, was sentenced to 13 years in prison and three years of supervised release. Amiee Ranes, 46, and Trent Marion, 39, were each sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Unique Carter, 28, received seven years in prison and five years of supervised release. Camri Outlaw, 31, was sentenced to time served and two years of supervised release.
According to court documents, investigators began examining the organization in January 2023 and identified a coordinated operation responsible for distributing crystal methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl in the Evansville area.
McGuire was described as the organization’s local leader and was responsible for obtaining bulk quantities of narcotics from a supplier in Springfield, Tennessee. Flax, Ranes, Marion and Carter operated as mid-level distributors, according to prosecutors.
Investigators also determined that the N-Handz barber shop on South Green River Road was being used as a primary drug distribution location. A storage unit at Eastside Park was identified as the organization’s main stash site.
On Nov. 30, 2023, McGuire directed Outlaw to pay drug couriers $60,000 for 35 pounds of methamphetamine. Outlaw then transported the drugs from her home to the storage unit controlled by McGuire and Carter.
Federal agents searched the storage unit that same day and recovered approximately 34.8 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, 13,000 fentanyl pills and one kilogram of cocaine.
Between June 1 and Dec. 5, 2023, the organization distributed more than 4.5 kilograms of actual methamphetamine into the Evansville community, according to the Justice Department.
U.S. Attorney Tom Wheeler said drug traffickers responsible for bringing deadly controlled substances into communities must be held accountable, describing the investigation as an example of the impact of cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Evansville Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force investigated the case. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew P. Brookman.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Wheatley and was part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide Justice Department initiative targeting illegal immigration, cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
