COLUMBUS — A routine probation check in early 2025 has resulted in a decades-long prison sentence for a Columbus man found in possession of a deadly cocktail of narcotics.
Brian Avery Jones Sr. was sentenced last week by Bartholomew Circuit Court Judge Kelly Benjamin to 25 years of confinement. The sentence follows his November guilty plea to multiple felony charges, including dealing in methamphetamine.
The case began in January 2025, when officers from Bartholomew County Community Corrections arrived at Jones’ residence for a standard probation compliance check. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Jones’ suspicious behavior during the visit prompted officers to secure a search warrant.
A coordinated search by the Columbus Police Department and the Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) uncovered a significant stash of illegal substances including 28 grams of meth, six grams of cocaine and two grams of fentanyl.
In addition to the narcotics, investigators seized cash and mobile devices. A digital forensic analysis of the cell phones revealed text messages explicitly discussing the sale and distribution of the drugs.
Judge Benjamin ordered the 25-year sentence to be served as follows:
- 20 years executed in the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC).
- 5 years suspended.
- 3 years of formal probation following his eventual release from prison.
The presence of fentanyl alongside methamphetamine and cocaine in this case reflects a dangerous trend currently being targeted by Indiana law enforcement. According to the Indiana Department of Health, fentanyl is now a primary driver in overdose deaths across the state, often found laced into other stimulants like meth and cocaine.
In Bartholomew County, JNET has increased its focus on “polysubstance” dealers—individuals who distribute multiple types of high-risk drugs. Under Indiana law, dealing more than 28 grams of methamphetamine is classified as a Level 2 Felony, carrying a sentencing range of 10 to 30 years. Jones’ sentence of 25 years falls toward the higher end of that spectrum, reflecting the severity of the charges and his status as a repeat offender at the time of the arrest.
“This sentence sends a clear message regarding the consequences of bringing these poisons into our community,” said Bartholomew County Prosecutor Lindsey Holden-Kay. “We will continue to work alongside JNET to ensure that those who profit from addiction are held accountable.”
