A Muncie man, Ricky L. Taylor, has been convicted by the Delaware Circuit Court on serious drug charges which include a role in the overdose death of a teenager. As reported by CBS4 Indy, the 24-year-old faced a bench trial where he was found culpable for Aiding, Inducing, or Causing Dealing in a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, a Level 1 Felony, and other felonies related to narcotic drug dealing and conspiracy.

The conviction signifies Delaware County’s focus on tackling the fentanyl crisis and marks Taylor as the 12th drug dealer to be held accountable for dealing resulting in death in the area. During the trial Taylor was also acquitted of a similar charge involving another teenager's death. Andrew Ramirez, Delaware County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, highlighted the case's importance, stating, "I am proud to announce that a large supplier of counterfeit fentanyl tablets has been convicted of Aiding, Inducing or Causing Dealing of a Narcotic Drug Resulting in Death" in a statement obtained by WRTV.

According to The Star Press, the allegations stemmed from Taylor's supply of fentanyl to a co-defendant, Jaxon W. Engle, who purportedly passed the drug to the adolescents. Despite defense arguments positing insufficient evidence linking their client to the fatalities, Judge John Feick adjudicated Taylor guilty on multiple charges.

Engle is separately facing trial for his involvement. Taylor, who confessed to dealing "blue M30" pills, could face up to 40 years for the Level 1 Felony and a maximum of 6 years for each Level 5 Felony when sentencing occurs on July 17. Andrew Ramirez provided further context to this landmark prosecution, "As far as we are aware, this may be the first time that an upper-level supplier has been held accountable for an overdose death related to his distribution network," according to an interview by The Star Press.