On 09/09/2025, members of the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Task Force (JNET), Bartholomew County
Sheriff’s Office and Columbus Police Department served a series of arrest warrants that resulted in the
arrest of 9 individuals at several locations throughout Columbus and Bartholomew County. The warrant
sweep was named Operation Cold Front by law enforcement.
These arrest warrants for narcotics offenses particularly for dealing in various narcotics were a result of
several lengthy and intensive investigations by JNET. JNET was able to secure arrest warrants for the
below individuals based on these investigations and by working closely with the Bartholomew County
Prosecutor’s Office.
“I commend the exemplary efforts of our local law enforcement agencies in executing Operation Cold
Front. Their professionalism, coordination, and commitment to public safety are vital to our ongoing
efforts to keep dangerous drugs and offenders off our streets, making our community safer for
everyone,” said Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Holden-Kay.
Sheriff Chris Lane highlighted the continued fight against narcotics especially those distributing
narcotics. The arrest of 9 individuals on the 17 felony charges is a continuation of the aggressive
enforcement local law enforcement has taken with those distributed narcotics.
“As your Sheriff, one of my top priorities is aggressive narcotics enforcement. The work that JNET does
combating the dealing of narcotics in our community cannot be understated. Taking drug dealers off the
streets has an outsize impact on not only the availability of narcotics but also the other underlying crime
in Bartholomew County,” said Sheriff Chris Lane.
The warrant services involved 20 patrolmen and detectives from both the Sheriff’s Office and Columbus
Police Dept with support from the Intelligence Unit.
“First I’d like to recognize JNET’s hard work and effort in removing sources of narcotics into our
community. Secondly I’d like to highlight the positive effect cooperation between law enforcement
agencies can have in stemming the flow of drugs into Columbus. Through partnerships such as JNET we
make a difference in our community every day,” said Chief of Police Steve Norman.
The Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, a combined unit of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, the
Columbus Police Department and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office, is proactively targeting
the manufacturing and distribution of dangerous drugs in Columbus and Bartholomew County. Drug
Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Indiana State Police assisted in today’s operation.
Those arrested and their charges are as follows:
Cindy Stevenson 62yo of Columbus, IN Dealing in Methamphetamine X3 Bond $100,000
Darrell Crow III 47yo of Columbus, IN Dealing in Methamphetamine X3 Bond $175,000
Steven Wyatt 63yo of Columbus, IN Dealing in Methamphetamine X4 Bond $175,000
Samantha Hitch 28yo of Columbus, IN Dealing in Methamphetamine Bond $175,000
Derrick Brown 35yo of Columbus, IN Dealing in a Narcotic Drug X2 Bond $150,000
Daniel Houchens 33yo of Columbus, IN Dealing in Methamphetamine Bond $175,000
Lloyd May III 42yo of Columbus, IN Dealing in Methamphetamine Bond $75,000
Stacy Southern 62yo of Columbus, IN Dealing in Methamphetamine X2 Bond $100,000
Tallon Bowman 32yo of Fairland, IN Dealing in Narcotic Drug Bond $40,000 Booking Picture Not Included
The filing of a criminal charge is simply an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. All suspects are
presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
