Indiana man sentenced to over 20 years for drug trafficking

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- According to the United States Justice Department, 35-year-old Brandon James was sentenced to 284 months in prison after he pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

According to documents in the case, in May 2019, James agreed with others to buy methamphetamine in California to bring back to the Midwest for distribution.

"James provided the cash to buy bulk methamphetamine at a low price," the U.S. Justice Department said. "James then flew to California with several co-conspirators, obtained more than 15 kilograms of methamphetamine, and loaded it into a car. As the methamphetamine was being driven across the country, the car was stopped in Missouri, and the methamphetamine was discovered."

James’ co-defendants previously received the following sentences:

• Benjamin Hicks was sentenced to 292 months of imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release.
• Terrence Reid was sentenced to 150 months of imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release.
• Kelvin Franklin was sentenced to 108 months of imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release.

James will serve four years of supervised release following his prison sentence.