DATE: March 31, 2025
SUBJECT: Large Scale Drug Investigation Leads to Multiple Arrests
RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-NR-0331
CONTACT: Lt. Matt Schnell
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
In mid-2024, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office detectives assigned to the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force initiated an investigation into multiple individuals suspected of distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in the Evansville area. The Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force comprises detectives from both the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office and the Evansville Police Department, along with Task Force Officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
During the early stages of this investigation, Rachel Ivy, Curtis Esters, and Isaac Horne were identified as local suppliers of methamphetamine to multiple individuals in the Evansville area. Ultimately, it was determined that Ivy, Esters, and Horne each had access to their own supply sources for bulk quantities of methamphetamine. However, they were also loosely collaborating in drug trafficking activities, which appeared to be centered around the 700-block of Covert Avenue in Evansville.
As the investigation progressed, the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office and Indiana State Police also became involved, providing additional resources to assist detectives. Through the use of confidential informants, numerous controlled purchases of methamphetamine were made from several individuals identified as local methamphetamine dealers. Detectives used traffic stops, search warrants, and surveillance to advance the investigation and identify additional individuals involved in methamphetamine trafficking in the Evansville area.
As a result of these investigative efforts, Darnell McRath was identified as a supplier of methamphetamine and cocaine. At the time of this investigation, McRath was on federal supervised release from the Southern District of Indiana for a prior federal drug trafficking conviction. On February 22, 2025, detectives stopped McRath’s vehicle and found him in possession of nearly 2.5 pounds of suspected cocaine.
Christopher Youngblood was also identified as a methamphetamine distributor living in the 700-block of Covert Avenue and distributing methamphetamine on behalf of Isaac Horne. Detectives conducted controlled purchases totaling over 8 ounces of methamphetamine from Horne and Youngblood.
Dugniqio Forest, Teshawn Baker, and Derrick Lowe were also identified as large-scale methamphetamine distributors in the Evansville area. At the time of this investigation, Dugniqio Forest was on federal supervised release from the Southern District of Indiana for a prior federal firearms conviction. On February 17, 2025, detectives stopped Forest’s vehicle and found him in possession of over 4 ounces of methamphetamine and just under 1 ounce of cocaine.
Also on February 17, 2025, detectives conducted a traffic stop on Baker, who was found to be in possession of over 6 pounds of suspected methamphetamine. Additionally, detectives determined that Forest, Baker, and Lowe operated a stash house in Evansville to store large quantities of methamphetamine and firearms. Later that day, detectives executed a search warrant at Lowe’s residence and found over 3 ounces of cocaine, 7 grams of methamphetamine, two handguns, and over 10 ounces of marijuana.
Detectives conducted controlled purchases of methamphetamine totaling over 1 pound from Curtis Esters. Antrea Esters, who resides with Curtis Esters, was present during one of these controlled purchases and handled the methamphetamine at that time. During a search of Esters’ residence, detectives seized two firearms. Curtis Esters is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous felony convictions.
Detectives also conducted a controlled purchase of over 10 grams of methamphetamine from Rachel Ivy. Ivy is suspected of providing approximately 230 grams of methamphetamine to Kimberly Hamlett on February 7, which detectives later seized during a traffic stop of Hamlett on the same date. Jack Jackson, who was with Hamlett at the time, possessed approximately 2 grams of marijuana.
A controlled purchase of approximately 1 ounce of methamphetamine was made from James Koutz. Samuel Wedding, who was residing with Koutz at the time of his arrest, was found to be in possession of 15 grams of methamphetamine.
In November 2024, officers with the Evansville Police Department located approximately 3 ounces of suspected methamphetamine in Kelly Wickware’s vehicle. In January 2025, detectives located and arrested Wickware for these charges and executed a search warrant at his residence, where two firearms were recovered—one of which was reported stolen. Wickware is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous felony convictions.
As a result of the collaborative efforts of the Evansville-Vanderburgh Drug Task Force, the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office, the Indiana State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Evansville Police Department, and the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, 14 individuals were charged with drug-related offenses at either the state or federal level. Additionally, 11 firearms, approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately 3 pounds of cocaine, approximately 75 grams of MDMA (ecstasy), and 347 grams of marijuana were seized throughout this investigation.
State Charges:
- Rachel Ivy: Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony)
- Kimberly Hamlet: Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony)
- Jack Jackson: Possession of Marijuana (Misdemeanor)
- Christopher Youngblood: Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony)
- Derrick Lowe: Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony), Maintaining a Common Nuisance (Level 6 Felony)
- Isaac Horne: Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony)
- Curtis Esters: Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony), Serious Violent Felon in Possession of a Firearm (Level 5 Felony)
- Antrea Esters: Maintaining a Common Nuisance (Level 6 Felony)
- James Koutz: Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony)
- Samuel Wedding: Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony)
- Kelly Wickware: Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony), Serious Violent Felon in Possession of a Firearm (Level 5 Felony)
Federal Charges:
- Darnell McRath: Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
- Dugniqio Forest: Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
- Teshawn Baker: Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
PREVIOUSLY: Narcotics Investigation Leads to Multiple Arrests
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.