Scott Planalp of Brownsburg, aged 37, has been handed a sentence of 12 years in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. This follows Planalp's guilty plea to charges of methamphetamine distribution. As documented in court records, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated an investigation into Planalp’s involvement in methamphetamine trafficking as early as June 2022.
Detailed surveillance by the DEA led to witnessing Planalp's transactions on three different occasions within the same month. For instance, on June 15, 2022, agents captured Planalp selling 72.9 grams of pure methamphetamine in exchange for $1,050. Despite his participation in a drug court program due to previous charges, Planalp informed the buyer of his predicament, adding that he was subject to three drug tests a week. According to a statement by the United States Attorney’s Office, Planalp admitted to distributing a sum of 185.1 grams of pure methamphetamine during the period of DEA's investigation.
In a bid to underscore the gravity of drug trafficking and its perpetrating harms, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, stated, “Meth traffickers must be held accountable for the harm that their poison does to people and families impacted by substance use disorders." Myers also criticized Planalp's blatant disregard for the law by continuing his illicit activities, despite previous arrests. "The federal prison sentence imposed here reflects the seriousness of these repeated crimes and the need to protect the community from a drug dealer who acted with utter disregard for the law, the courts, and the harm he caused."
The case was brought to a close by U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon with the assistance of the thorough investigative work carried out by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry D. Glickman saw to the prosecution of the case. Praising the collaborative efforts, Myers extended gratitude towards Glickman and the DEA team for their commitment to eradicating methamphetamine trafficking from the community.
