Local lawmakers are seeking interns to join them at the Statehouse during the 2024 legislative session
According to State Rep. Dave Hall (R-Norman), House interns will be paid $900 bi-weekly as they work in downtown Indianapolis during session, which starts in January and concludes mid-March.
“House interns come from all walks of life and areas of study,” Hall said. “Whether they’re assisting constituents, helping with media relations, or working on policy, they’ll get real-world training they can use in any career.”
State Rep. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) said House internships are open to college students and recent graduates of all majors. Paid, spring-semester intern positions are full time, Monday through Friday, and include free parking, career and professional development assistance, enrollment access to an Indiana government class, and opportunities to earn academic credits through the student’s college or university. Interns are also eligible to apply for a competitive $3,000 scholarship to use toward undergraduate and graduate expenses.
“It’s always great to see local students take advantage of this opportunity to work with lawmakers and state officials in a professional environment like the legislative session,” said State Rep. Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville). “For many of them, this internship led to promising careers in both state government and the private sector.”
Students can apply for internships in a variety of departments related to their field of study, including legislative operations, policy, and communications and media relations.
Applications are available online at indianahouserepublicans.com/internship and are due by Oct. 31.
2023 La Fiesta del Otoño Celebrates Literature and Cultur
Join neighbors and friends in celebrating the City of Bloomington Fiesta del Otoño at the Switchyard Park Pavilion on Saturday, September 16 from noon to 4 p.m. This event commemorates National Hispanic Heritage month, which is recognized each year from September 15 through October 15, and is a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community.
“This event represents the best of Bloomington, as we come together to celebrate the rich history and culture of the Latin diaspora that is an integral part of our community,” Mayor John Hamilton said. “As we celebrate, we also recognize the challenges faced by our Latino/Hispanic neighbors, and we recommit ourselves to doing the hard work together needed to ensure that all Bloomingtonian families can thrive.”
The theme for this year’s Fiesta is “Celebrando Nuestra Cultura: Literatura, Arte y Cultura” or “Celebrating Our Culture: Literature, Art and Culture.” The Fiesta del Otoño is a family-oriented event that offers educational and informative booths, cultural activities from a variety of Spanish-speaking countries, and opportunities to interact with our community partners.
La Fiesta del Otoño is supported by the City of Bloomington’s Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs and the Community and Family Resources Department Latino Programs. Past events have attracted a diverse audience of residents, students, and visitors. During the event, you will have the chance to experience traditional ethnic performances such as the IU Ballet Folklórico and the Flamenco Dancer Sofía Crespo, enjoy live regional music from Mariachi Internacional de Bloomington and NOMáS, and taste delicious Latin American food from our food trucks. There will also be a dance competition with a prize for the winning couple!
For more information about the event, please contact Ximena Martinez Ruiz, City of Bloomington Latino Outreach Coordinator, at 812-349-3430 or visit the City of Bloomington’s Latino Programs Facebook page at facebook.com/LatinoBTown/.
21 Charged in Federal Indictment following takedown of armed international drug trafficking and dog fighting rings in Central Indiana
Twenty-one individuals were charged in a federal indictment alleging trafficking of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine; money laundering; illegally possessing firearms; and dog fighting. The charges follow an extensive law enforcement operation in which 18 of the 21 individuals were arrested and federal agents seized over 40 firearms; quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine; over $55,000 in cash; and approximately 90 dogs. The following lists the individuals indicted and the charges they face:
| Defendant | Charge(s) |
| TYRONE BELL, 52 | Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon |
| DAVID BENNETT, 40 | Conspiracy to TrafficFentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine |
| EDWARD BRONAUGH, 57 | Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture |
| JAMES CROONS, 34 | Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture |
| RAMIRO RICO DE LEON, 31, Mexico | Conspiracy to TrafficFentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine; and Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering |
| ERICK FOSTER, 33 | Conspiracy to TrafficFentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine |
| GREGORY EASTER, 35 | Conspiracy to TrafficFentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine |
| LAUREN EGGERT, 32 | Conspiracy to TrafficFentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine |
| MAURICE ERVIN, 44 | Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture |
| DONTORIA GILBERT, 36 | Conspiracy to TrafficFentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine |
| GREGORY HENDERSON, JR., 43 | Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine; Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering; and Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture |
| MARVIN JOHNSON, JR., 46 | Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture |
| LANDON JONES, 39 | Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture |
| CHRISTOPHER NORFOLK, 48 | Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture |
| CHARLES RICHARDSON, III, 43 | Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon |
| MICHAEL SANDERS, 45 | Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture. |
| J.C. SMITH, 38 | Conspiracy to TrafficFentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine |
| QUOSHAWN STEWART, 34 | Conspiracy to TrafficFentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine |
| GEORGE TAYLOR, 44 | Conspiracy to TrafficFentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine |
| DONOVAN TIPLER, 30 | Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture |
| OCTAVIO VICENCIO, 32 | Conspiracy to TrafficFentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine |
This was a multiagency operation, involving over 300 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, who executed arrest and search warrants at 25 locations in Central Indiana on the morning of August 31, 2023. Eighteen individuals were arrested and are in federal custody. Two remain fugitives: Gregory Henderson, and Jr. Maurice Ervin
In particular, law enforcement has asked the public for assistance in locating fugitive Gregory Henderson Jr. The FBI is providing a $5,000 reward for information leading to Henderson’s arrest. Those with information are asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or they can submit tips online at www.tips.fbi.gov.
According to court documents, Gregory Henderson Jr. and Ramiro Rico De Leon worked together to smuggle fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine into the United States from Mexico. Henderson served as the main source of supply to lower-level dealers, Vicencio, Foster, Taylor, Smith, Gilbert, Bennet, Easter, Eggert, and Stewart, who dealt the drugs to buyers in Indianapolis and surrounding communities. Vicencio and Taylor were responsible for driving controlled substances from Kentucky to Indiana. Henderson and De Leon used wire transfers to pay for the costs of drug distribution and Henderson paid his dealers using CashApp.
During the course of this investigation, law enforcement agents uncovered a significant dog fighting and illegal gambling ring based in Indianapolis. Gregory Henderson Jr., Christopher Norfolk, Maurice Ervin, Michael Sanders, James Croons, Charles Richardson III, Landon Jones, Edward Bronaugh, Donovan Tipler, and Marvin Johnson Jr. were identified as dog owners who maintained dogs for the purpose of fighting. Maurice Ervin also participated as a referee, weighing the dogs and holding the money until fights were complete. Ervin, Tipler, and Croons served as handlers, responsible for motivating the dogs to fight. Jones and Norfolk served as sponsors, providing a space for the fights to be held.
Members of this group have a long history of dog fighting. In 2001, IMPD officers found seven pitbulls in need of medical attention due to lack of food and water and fresh wounds consistent with dog fighting located at Michael Sanders’ Indianapolis home. In 2005, Christopher Norfolk was convicted for torturing an animal after officers seized four dogs from his home. On more than four occasions, officers found Richardson III and Ervin engaging in dog fighting activities. Both Richardson III and Ervin have sustained multiple convictions for animal torture and promoting dog fighting.
This investigation began in 2022, and in 2023 multiple search warrants were executed and the following evidence was seized:
- 537 grams of methamphetamine
- 459 grams of heroin
- 667.3 grams of cocaine
- 532.8 grams of fentanyl
- Over 230 grams of marijuana
- 16 scales
- 43 firearms
- Over $55,650.00 in cash
- Approximately 90 dogs (including puppies)
- Dog fighting training paraphernalia including treadmills, bite sticks and weights.
If convicted, each defendant charged with conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture faces up to 5 years in federal prison. Each defendant charged with conspiracy to traffic-controlled substances faces up to life.
This Week in Hoosier History
1890 – Colonel Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken was born in Henryville, Indiana.
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