UPDATE: Three more members of the fentanyl trafficking group led by Melvin have been sentenced to years in prison, as revealed in a release from the La Porte County Drug Task Force.

The report detailed the sentencings of Jacari Nichols to 2 and a half years in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release, Marques Holmes to 3 years in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release, and Kendrick Portis to 3 years and 4 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

In addition, the report described that the criminal investigation into this drug trafficking group recovered 23,000 fentanyl pills, $10,000, and several firearms that were also being distributed. As well, the report stated that this operation resulted in 19 total arrests.

ORIGINAL CONTENT: SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A Detroit man will spend the next 22 and half years in prison for his part as the organizer and leader of a local fentanyl trafficking group.

Documents from the United States Attorney’s Office Northern District of Indiana reveal 33-year-old Devin Melvin was sentenced on Thursday after pleading guilty to two counts of Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Fentanyl.

Following his prison sentence, he will have 5 years of supervised release.

Case documents reveal Melvin was the leader of a group consisting of Clinton Rouse, Tyler Wood, Justin Hervey, and Raquan Perry.

Documents state the group worked to distribute fentanyl pills throughout Michigan City between October 2023 and July 2024.

Case documents state during spring 2024, Melvin, Wood, and Rouse lived in a Michigan City home together. Law enforcement says during this time, Melving would transport tens of thousands of pills from the Detroit area and Michigan City for distribution.

During the investigation authorities seized about 10,000 fentanyl pills.

On May 20, 2025, Rouse was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl and Distribution of Fentanyl.

On May 22, 2025, Wood was sentenced to 13 and a half years in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl, Distribution of Fentanyl, and Illegal Use of a Communications Facility.

On Feb. 27, 2025, Hervey was sentenced to 10 years and 5 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.

On June 6, 2025, Perry was sentenced to 6 years in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.