Federal judge hands down lengthy prison sentences in Indiana cocaine and firearms trafficking case
South Bend, Indiana – Two Indiana men will spend more than a decade in federal prison after admitting they worked together in a cocaine trafficking operation involving firearms, federal officials announced.
United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred said Derrick Glass, 40, and Shawn Pettis, 35, both from Elkhart, Indiana, were sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to cocaine trafficking and firearm-related crimes.
Glass pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He received a sentence of 130 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Pettis also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Judge Brisco sentenced him to the same punishment of 130 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Federal prosecutors said the case involved cocaine distribution, illegal firearms activity, and the storage of narcotics and weapons inside a residence in Elkhart County.
Investigation Uncovered Drugs and Firearms
According to court documents, the investigation focused on criminal activity that took place during February and March of 2025.
Authorities said Derrick Glass distributed cocaine, ketamine, and firearms to another individual during that period.
Investigators alleged that Shawn Pettis assisted Glass with the operation and allowed cocaine and firearms to be stored inside his home.
Law enforcement later executed a search warrant at Pettis’s residence in March 2025, where officers discovered additional cocaine and firearms connected to the investigation.
Federal officials emphasized that the presence of weapons alongside narcotics trafficking created a serious public safety concern for the community.
United States Attorney Adam Mildred praised the joint efforts of federal and local investigators who helped dismantle the operation.
“Two armed Defendants teamed up and conspired to peddle cocaine and did so while armed with a firearm,” Mildred said. “They will spend nearly 13 years in prison because they ran into a much better team of the ATF, the Elkhart County Intelligence and Covert Enhancement Unit, and Assistant United States Attorney Katelan McKenzie Doyle, with the support of Elkhart County Prosecutor Vicki Becker and her office.”
He also said the investigation and prosecution helped improve safety throughout the region.
“Our communities and nation are safer because of their efforts,” Mildred added.
Officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also highlighted the dangers tied to armed drug trafficking investigations.
“ATF and our partners are out on the streets of Northern Indiana everyday investigating violent crimes including armed drug trafficking,” said ATF Chicago Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon.
He added that the lengthy prison sentences reflected the serious nature of crimes involving firearms and narcotics.
“The sentence imposed today reflects the serious consequences for those who use firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking,” Amon said. “ATF and our partners remain united in investigating and disrupting this violent criminal activity and working with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to prosecute this conduct.”
The case was investigated by the ATF with assistance from the Elkhart County Intelligence and Covert Enforcement Unit as well as the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Katelan McKenzie Doyle prosecuted the case on behalf of the federal government.
Federal authorities continue stressing that armed narcotics trafficking remains a top enforcement priority throughout Northern Indiana as agencies work together to target violent offenders and illegal drug operations.
