COLUMBUS, Ind. – Two years ago, on June 27, 2023, the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) attempted a traffic stop on Justin Bowles for crossing the center line and disregarding a stoplight.
He fled at speeds of 80 mph, eventually crashing in a field. Using a police K-9, the fugitive was tracked down. He was determined to be under the influence. Bowles was later found to have about 8 grams of fentanyl, multiple pills, and 60 grams of methamphetamine. He was charged with several counts, with the highest level offense being Dealing in Meth (Level 2 Felony).
While incarcerated at the Bartholomew County Jail, Bowles committed a new offense on August 21, 2023. Authorities discovered Bowles attempting to traffic Suboxone, a controlled substance, into the jail. He was charged with Conspiracy to commit Dealing in a Schedule III Controlled Substance (Level 5 Felony).
He again tried to traffic Suboxone into the county jail on March 4, 2025. BCSO Deputies, the Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, and the Columbus Police Department intercepted the controlled substance. Bowles was subsequently charged with Conspiracy to Commit Trafficking with an Inmate (Level 5 Felony).
Bowles pleaded guilty to the above charges and was sentenced on October 2 to 26 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections by Judge Kelly Benjamin of the Bartholomew County Circuit Court.
Bowles-Courtesy-BCSO
