INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — According to a release from the Department of Justice, a member of the white supremacist group, the Aryan Brotherhood, was sentenced to almost 20 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to possession and intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. 

Court records show that Jared Mashburn, 40, of Indianapolis, Indiana was arrested on Dec. 14 of 2020 by Indiana State Police troopers due to an outstanding warrant in Putnam County. The warrant listed Mashburn as wanted for unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, resisting law enforcement, and possessing methamphetamine. 

During the traffic stop that lead to Mashburn’s arrest, troopers had searched Mashburn, finding two loaded handguns, around 22 grams of methamphetamine organized in bags for distribution, and about $12,000 in cash. Later that day, troopers had completed a search warrant of Mashburn’s residence and uncovered and confiscated 38 firearms, around 2.8 kilograms of methamphetamine, a drug ledger, a vacuum sealer, and digital scales.

According to the release, investigators also discovered and seized numerous items associated with the Aryan Brotherhood, “a notorious white supremacist group with affiliated gangs in many prisons” in which Mashburn was a known member, including a jersey with the Aryan Brotherhood insignia, a Nazi flag, uniform, and other Nazi paraphernalia. 

At the time of the Dec. 2020 arrest, Mashburn had been convicted previously for running and having an illegal drug lab and manufacturing methamphetamine. Due to the previous felony convictions, Mashburn was prohibited from owning firearms under federal law.

“This heavily armed meth dealer and gang member is exactly the sort of dangerous criminal we must prioritize for federal prosecution,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Repeat felons who menace the public with illegal guns and poison our families with deadly drugs will face the sorts of serious consequences imposed by the court today. I commend the efforts of the FBI and Indiana State Police to protect the public by ensuring that the defendant will spend years in federal prison and off our streets.”

The Indiana State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigations handled the case. An FBI official commented on the severity of the case.

“The sentence imposed today clearly demonstrates that those who use firearms in furtherance of their illegal activities will be held accountable and removed from our communities so they can no longer pose a risk,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to stop the flow of drugs into our neighborhoods and keep firearms out of the hands of those prohibited from being able to possess them.”

The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Jane Magnus Stinson. Judge Stinson also ordered that Mashburn receive 5 years of probation following his release.