From the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department
On 08/28/2023 the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) closed an investigation in the alleged
dealing of fentanyl which resulted in two arrests. During the investigation a Torien Thornton 19-years old of Bloomington, IN was identified as a retail distributor of large amounts of counterfeit Oxycodone pills,
which may contain fentanyl. Thornton is a resident of Bloomington, IN however the investigation began
when JNET discovered that she was allegedly distributing or intended to distribute narcotics to residents
of Bartholomew County. Over several days more than 200 counterfeit pills were seized by JNET in
connection with the investigation.
In a joint effort between JNET and the Brown County Sheriff’s Office Thornton was taken into custody in
Nashville, IN. A passenger in the vehicle, Aireana Brandon 19-years old ofBloomington, IN was also taken into custody on an allegation involving possession of marijuana. Also in the vehicle was Thornton’s 3-year-old child who was in the presence of the narcotics at the time of the arrests. The Department of Child Services was contacted in regards to the child, a case manager responded to ensure the welfare of the child.
Thornton was booked into the Brown County Jail on the charges involving allegations of dealing in a narcotic drug level 2 felony and neglect of a dependent level 5 felony. She remains in custody on a $60,000.00 bond. Thornton faces 10 to 30 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections if convicted of the above offenses.
This is a preliminary investigation. All persons are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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 abuse of dangerous drugs. This aggressive narcotics enforcement not only
occurs in Bartholomew County but will be pursued anywhere where narcotics have an effect on the
residents of Bartholomew County.