BEDFORD – A lengthy investigation by the Lawrence County Police Department has led to the arrest of a Bedford man on serious drug-related charges stemming from incidents in June 2023, where methamphetamine was reportedly planted on a vehicle.
Danny K. Pfleider, 42, of Heltonville, is facing a charge of conspiracy to commit dealing in methamphetamine (over 10 grams), and possession of Methamphetamine (at least 28 grams).
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Lawrence County Police Sgt. R. Compton, the investigation began on June 3, 2023, when a male contacted dispatch after finding what he believed to be drugs in a container on his property. Sgt. Compton responded and located a translucent plastic container with a magnet attached, containing a scale, a “chickbone pipe” (meth pipe), and baggies of a white crystal-like substance. The substance, weighing 29 grams, field-tested positive for methamphetamine. The victim informed Sgt. Compton stated that his ex-wife and her boyfriend had a tumultuous relationship and that the boyfriend had previously told the victim his ex-wife intended to plant drugs on his vehicle. An additional magnet was found attached to the undercarriage of the victim’s vehicle.
On June 17, 2023, the male victim reported finding more drugs in his vehicle, with Officer James collecting an additional 13 grams of methamphetamine, bringing the total to approximately 42 grams. On the same day, Lawrence County Central Dispatch received a call from a male identifying himself as “Douglas,” reporting an alleged drug deal at a Mitchell gas station involving the alleged victim. This call led to a traffic stop of the male victim’s vehicle, which was later cleared after a K9 alert yielded no findings.
Surveillance footage provided by the male victim from June 16 or 17, 2023, depicted an individual approaching his vehicle. Based on his interactions with her, the male victim identified the person as potentially his ex-wife.
DNA analysis from the initial container found four profiles, with the male victim’s DNA found on the container. On January 11, 2024, the Indiana State Police Crime Lab reported a CODIS DNA hit on Danny K. Pfleider from a plastic baggie containing methamphetamine.
During a January 12, 2024, interview with Sgt. Compton and Det. Griggs, Danny Pfleider admitted to dealing drugs and stated his DNA was on the 29 grams of meth. He admitted to knowing the male victim’s ex-wife, her boyfriend, and the male victim. Pfleider confessed to selling meth to male victim in the past, including an ounce before his arrest in French Lick in late June or early July 2023.
On January 15, 2025, the male victim contacted police after discovering conversations on a black iPhone, previously belonging to the victim’s ex-wife, which he believed implicated her, her boyfriend, and Pfleider in a conspiracy to plant drugs on his vehicle. Screenshots provided by the victim showed Facebook Messenger conversations between his ex-wife and a deactivated account believed to be Danny Pfleider’s, and between the male victim’s ex-wife and her boyfriend, discussing the purchase of magnetic boxes and various types of drugs.
Key excerpts from these conversations, as detailed in the affidavit, include:
- May 29, 2023: The ex-wife to Pfleider: “We need that box for my ex.”
- June 3, 2023: The ex-wife to Pfleider: “As long as he hits the highway we can call them & tell them he’s on the highway headed to Bedford.” and “He’s going camping at the Heltonville Horseman Camp, we need to get him between now & then.”
- June 12, 2023: The ex-wife to Pfleider: “Can you check (the male victim’s) page and see where he’s supposed to be playing tomorrow night? I can’t remember where he said, and we want to check and see if the package is still there and call again.”
- June 15, 2023: The ex-wife to Pfleider: “Don’t forget to get the box ready.” “I’m going tonight, I have to.” “Get some stuff to put in it,” and “I need the box stuff & to know if you have any blues.” (believed to refer to oxycodone).
- June 16, 2023: The ex-wife to Pfleider: Discussions about types of drugs, including suspected methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.
- June 15, 2023: The boyfriend to the ex-wife: “We should look at Lowe’s to see if they have a magnetic box.” The ex-wife then shares a picture of a container identical to one found on the male victim’s vehicle.
- June 24-26, 2023: The boyfriend and the ex-wife discuss the consequences of the “phone” and potential legal repercussions, with the boyfriend stating, “I’m gonna take all the heat, baby; it was all me.” The ex-wife questions why neither of their DNA matched the containers.
On January 27, 2025, Danny Pfleider was re-interviewed and confirmed that the Facebook Messenger conversations were between him and the male victim’s ex-wife. He stated that she wanted to “find a way to get the male victim out of the picture” due to a custody dispute and asked him to provide drugs. Pfleider admitted to supplying the drugs and the first container. He claimed he only provided the drugs and did not assist with planting them, believing the woman’s boyfriend was supposed to place the containers. Pfleider also stated he purchased two firearms from the woman’s boyfriend in May 2023, paying with OxyContin and marijuana.
On January 31, 2025, the victim’s ex-wife was interviewed at the Rockville Women’s facility. Initially denying involvement, she eventually admitted to knowing “approximately who did it” and identified her friend, Pfleider. She claimed Pfleider. told her he had confessed to the police. She told Police that she and the male victim had ongoing custody disputes and that the motive might have been related to the male victim wanting her to sign over her rights to their child. She also admitted to purchasing drugs from Pfleider.
Pfleider, 43, of Heltonville was detained on charges of dealing in meth and possession of meth on May 19, 2025.
