United States Drug Enforcement Administration

INDIANAPOLIS – Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Drug Enforcement Administration-Indianapolis, and U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana announced that Patrick Doornbos, 38, of Monticello, Indiana, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents, on Nov. 22, 2021, Doornbos was driving on Interstate 65 in Jackson County, Indiana, when he was stopped by the Indiana State Police (ISP) for multiple traffic violations. During the stop, the Trooper deployed his K9 partner, who indicated the presence of illegal drugs in the vehicle. Doornbos admitted that he was returning from Kentucky, where he had just purchased a pound and a half of methamphetamine as well as three firearms for $5,000. Law enforcement officers searched the vehicle and recovered approximately 650 grams of pure methamphetamine, two loaded semiautomatic handguns, and a revolver. In his guilty plea, Doornbos admitted he intended to distribute the methamphetamine.

At the time of his arrest, Doornbos had four prior felony convictions, including for dealing methamphetamine and illegally possessing a gun.

“Drug dealers who push these poisons into our communities act with blatant disregard for the pain caused by substance abuse disorders,” said Myers. “We are under no illusion that arrests and prosecutions alone will put an end to this crisis, but we will focus our federal resources on armed and unrepentant drug traffickers as we seek to increase public safety.”

“Drug traffickers with prior felony convictions who illegally possess firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities must be held accountable for their actions,” said DEA Indianapolis ASAC Gannon. “The DEA remains committed to working hand in hand with our state, local, and federal partners to keep our communities safe. We commend the outstanding work by the Indiana State Police and the United States Attorney’s Office.”

“We are grateful for our partnership with the DEA and the U.S. Attorney’s office for this investigation and the many others like it,” said Douglas G. Carter, Superintendent of the ISP. “We will work diligently to hold the people responsible for bringing drugs and guns into our communities fully accountable.”

The DEA and ISP jointly investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by Chief U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. As part of the sentence, Judge Pratt ordered that Doornbos be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela S. Domash, who prosecuted this case.