HUNTINGTON CO. – The Indiana State Police began an investigation into the death of an inmate at the Huntington County Jail after Nicholas Parks, 42, of Bunker Hill, IN was found unresponsive around 3:00 a.m. on October 22, 2022.
This investigation has led to additional charges on three inmates currently incarcerated in the Huntington County Jail.
- Michael Kelly Jr., 22 of Huntington, IN was arrested for dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, Level 1 felony, aiding in dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, Level 1 felony, trafficking, Level 5 felony, and dealing a narcotic drug, Level 5 Felony.
- Jacob Lee Landon Johnson, 40 of Huntington, IN was arrested for dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, Level 1 felony, and aiding in dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, Level 1 felony.
- Nicholas Ryan Shepperd, 36 of Huntington, IN was arrested for dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, Level 1 felony, and aiding in dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, Level 1 felony.
This investigation also resulted in a search warrant being served at a residence in the 400 block of Garfield Street in Huntington, IN on October 28, 2022. This search warrant resulted in the arrest of Duane Barnes, 41 of Huntington, IN for:
- Dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, a Level 1 felony
- Aiding in dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, a Level 1 felony
- Possession of a narcotic drug with the intent to deliver, a Level 2 felony
- Possession of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver, a Level 2 felony
- Possession of methamphetamine, a Level 4 felony
- Dealing in a narcotic drug, a Level 3 felony
- Aiding in trafficking with an inmate, a Level 5 felony
Barnes was taken to the Huntington County Jail.
The Huntington Police Department assisted with this investigation.
The final autopsy report and toxicology results for Parks are still pending.
