Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today, Donald Rudolph, 22, and Dorian Hayden, 24, both of Indianapolis, are currently in federal custody following federal charges for illegal possession of firearms and narcotics.

“It is a top priority of my office and federal law enforcement to work with state and local law enforcement to identify, investigate and eliminate those who are infecting our community with drugs, illegally possessing guns and perpetuating violence.” said Minkler. “Through the outstanding work by the officers at CGIC, that is exactly what happened in these two cases.”

 According to the complaint filed against Donald Rudolph, on February 5, 2020, officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) conducted a traffic stop for traffic violations on I-65 in Marion County, Ind. The driver was identified as Donald Rudolph. Rudolph had active outstanding warrants out of Marion County for drug violations and Hamilton County, Ind. for probation violation.

Officers detected a strong odor of suspected burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. In the course of their investigation, the officers found suspected marijuana, a large amount of U.S. currency, a loaded semi-automatic handgun, and ammunition that belonged to Rudolph. IMPD officers arrested Rudolph on the outstanding warrants, possession of marijuana, and carrying a handgun without a permit.

Rudolph is in federal custody and was charged with two federal charges:

Possession of a Firearm by Fugitive from Justice

Possession of a Firearm by Unlawful User of Controlled Substance

According to the complaint filed against Dorian Hayden, on February 13th, 2020, investigators with the Crime Gun Information Center were conducting surveillance on a residence they were about to serve a search warrant on. The search warrant was for an ongoing narcotics investigation into the suspected drug trafficking activities of Dorian Hayden.

During their surveillance and before the search warrant was served, officers noticed Hayden and another male exit the residence and enter a vehicle that Hayden is known to drive. Hayden, who has a suspended driver’s license, drove the vehicle away from the residence and shortly after driving away, uniformed officers made a traffic stop on the vehicle due to Hayden’s suspended license.

Officers identified the driver as Hayden and quickly noticed a semiautomatic handgun in the waistband of Hayden’s pants. While removing the handgun, a second handgun was observed and removed from Hayden’s pants pocket.

Investigators returned back to the residence and joined other officers to execute the search warrant. Officers located approximately 3.5 pounds of suspected methamphetamine, several ounces of suspected heroin, several pills suspected to be controlled substances, several grams of suspected marijuana, digital scales and other products associated with drug trafficking activities, a currency counter and over $38,000, and another semiautomatic handgun.

IMPD officers arrested Hayden for dealing in a narcotic, possession of a narcotic, dealing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, dealing in marijuana, and possession of marijuana.

Hayden is in federal custody and was charged with the following federal charges:

Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance

 

These cases are part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from the following Project Guardian partners: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

 

For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian

According to Assistant United States Attorney Jayson McGrath who is prosecuting the case for the government, Donald Rudolph faces up to 120 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Brady who is prosecuting the case for the government, Dorian Hayden faces up to life imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release.

An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in federal court.

In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the office’s firm commitment to targeting the District’s most violent geographic areas for the adoption of reactive federal drug and firearm prosecutions. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan Section 2.2.