A federal grand jury has returned a 28-count superseding indictment charging 12 people in what prosecutors describe as a violent Indianapolis criminal enterprise that used a network of “trap houses” to fuel drug trafficking and intimidation. The defendants made their first appearances in federal court in Indianapolis on May 22, 2026, setting the stage for a sweeping RICO case that could play out for years.
Prosecutors Say 'Crown Hill Enterprise' Ran Trap Houses Across Indianapolis
In court filings, prosecutors refer to the group as the “Crown Hill Enterprise” and allege it maintained at least 11 trap houses across Indianapolis between early 2019 and December 2024, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana. Investigators say members used fictitious business entities to hide illicit proceeds.
The 28-count superseding indictment charges racketeering conspiracy along with murder, kidnapping, assault, arson and multiple drug-distribution offenses. Federal prosecutors say the alleged enterprise worked to protect and grow its power through threats, intimidation and violence.
Searches Turned Up Guns, A Conversion Device, Drugs And Cash
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, court-authorized searches tied to the investigation turned up 35 firearms, a machinegun conversion device, narcotics and cash. Prosecutors say members of the alleged enterprise used arson and Molotov cocktails to pressure neighbors and retaliate against people they suspected of cooperating with law enforcement.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said the charges allege violence that “ruins communities, people, and their families.” The Justice Department credits the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department with assisting in the investigation.
Who Is Charged And The Most Serious Counts
The indictment names 12 defendants, including Tre J. Dunn, 28; Tanesha M. Turner, 40; Nahamani I. Sargent, 35; Deandre Miller, 58; and Adrian and Avery Bullock, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. They face a range of federal counts, from RICO conspiracy to murder in aid of racketeering and firearms offenses.
Prosecutors say Dunn is charged with murder in aid of racketeering along with multiple assault and firearm counts. Turner is accused of kidnapping in aid of racketeering and related charges, while Miller is alleged to have possessed a machinegun, according to the filings. The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the allegations are just that, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Legal Process And Prosecution Team
The case is being handled by the Justice Department’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section alongside the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana. Trial Attorney Samuel B. Tonkin and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley Blackington and Kelsey Massa are listed as prosecutors in the federal releases.
Officials underscore that an indictment is an accusation, not a conviction, and that those charged are entitled to the full range of federal criminal procedure. That includes arraignment, pretrial motions and hearings where lawyers will test the strength of the government’s case. Federal RICO counts and murder-in-aid-of-racketeering allegations carry severe penalties if convictions are obtained, but the ultimate outcome will depend on what prosecutors can prove at trial.
What To Watch Next
Investigators and prosecutors say the multi-agency probe has removed firearms from circulation and disrupted what they describe as an organized, violent operation affecting multiple Indianapolis neighborhoods. Upcoming court filings and scheduling orders are expected to clarify the timeline for arraignments, detention decisions and pretrial proceedings as the case moves forward in federal court.
