JEFFERSONVILLE — The Jeffersonville Police Department Drug Investigation Unit arrested a Chicago man Saturday who is believed to be a frequent supplier of cocaine in the Southern Indiana and Louisville areas.

Domingo V. Santos, 42, is described by Jeffersonville police as an “undocumented male,” and was preliminarily charged with possession of cocaine over three grams with intent to distribute, a class A felony.

He was taken into custody during a traffic stop on Vincennes Street in New Albany, following an investigation of an undisclosed length.

During the traffic stop, police discovered more than five ounces of powder cocaine and a total of $16,000 in cash hidden in various areas of the 2004 Honda Santos was driving.

“It is suspected by investigators that Santos frequently traveled from Chicago to supply cocaine to Southern Indiana and Louisville,” according to a statement released by JPD.

Investigators will be seeking to seize the money found in the vehicle, as well as the vehicle itself, as proceeds from illegal drug trafficking, police reported.

During the investigation and arrest, Jeffersonville police were assisted by the FBI, New Albany Police Department and Floyd County Sheriff’s Office.

Santos was not yet listed in Clark County court records online.

If found guilty of a class A felony, Santos could face a maximum sentence of 50 years in the Indiana Department of Correction.



Jeffersonville police conduct warrant round up following summer drug investigation

The Jeffersonville Police Department Drug Investigation Unit conducted a summer investigation which included purchases of crack cocaine and heroin from individuals in the Greenwood Apartments area and other locations in Jeffersonville.

The drug purchases paralleled an investigation initiated by the Jeffersonville Police and the FBI targeting a local drug dealing organization identified as the Money Hungry Gangstas.  

One of the criminal organization’s suppliers, Cleveland D. Williams Jr. was arrested April 24 on federal cocaine distribution charges.  

Drug investigators continued with covert drug purchases in Jeffersonville, concentrating on the Greenwood Apartments area, to eliminate the presence of the group.  

Drug and other criminal activity in the apartment complex and surrounding area had been recently controlled by Williams, MHG members, and their associates, police said.

During the investigation many of the individuals sold illegal drugs to investigators on numerous occasions resulting in additional charges.

During a two-day period, Jeffersonville Police officers arrested eight Jeffersonville residents on warrants issued from Clark County Circuit Court No. 2 related to the investigation.  

Those arrested during the investigation:

• Jerome J. Sheckles, 25, two counts dealing in cocaine, habitual substance offender

• Dennis R. Sheckles, 51, dealing in cocaine, habitual substance offender

• Marquail Q. Sheckles, 24, two counts dealing in cocaine

• Shamar M. Martin, 31, two counts dealing in cocaine

• Damon G. Walls, 30, dealing in a substance represented to be a  controlled substance, habitual substance offender

• Shanice M. Pratt, 22, dealing in cocaine

• Sheron N. Green 35, dealing in cocaine habitual substance offender

• John S. Sims, 50, two counts dealing in cocaine

Jeffersonville Police are looking for two additional people who were charged related to the investigation.



Alleged burglar caught in act

A Clarksville man was arrested for the alleged Aug. 31 robbery of Centerstone, a counseling service, located at 335 Spring St. in Jeffersonville.

Ralph Thomas Beaver, 43, was taken into custody by Jeffersonville police and faces preliminarily charges of burglary, a class B felony, and resisting law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor.

Jeffersonville police were called to the scene after a resident in a second-floor apartment heard glass breaking from the first floor of the building and went downstairs where he discovered a masked burglar breaking into the business on the building’s first story, according to a press release issued by the Jeffersonville police.

As police arrived, responding officers observed a male subject in an adjacent parking lot walking away from the area.  

“When the officer called out for the man to stop, he ignored the officer, jumped into a vehicle and sped away,” according to the police report.  

Assisting officers in patrol vehicles located the fleeing vehicle and stopped it several blocks from Centerstone.  

The driver was identified as Beaver, who provided inconsistent responses explaining his actions, police reported.

During their investigation, officers discovered a trail of clothing and a burglary tool discarded along the roadway Beaver had driven.

Other items found in the vehicle matched items the witness observed, according to the police statement.

Based on evidence recovered in the above investigation, Jeffersonville and Clarksville police departments are investigating Beaver’s possible involvement in a string of recent burglaries in both jurisdictions.  

Jeffersonville police reported that Beaver’s criminal record shows multiple arrests for burglary in other states.