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Columbus drug dealer sentenced to 9 years

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 11:50 AM

Courtesy-Bartholomew County Prosecutor's Office

COLUMBUS, Ind. - On September 8, 2025, Daniel S. Houchens was charged with Dealing in Methamphetamine (Level 4 felony).

He was arrested during Operation Cold Front, which was a closely coordinated operation between the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET), Bartholomew County Sheriff - Sheriff Chris Lane, Columbus Police Department, and Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office.  

Operation Cold Front also resulted in the arrest of eight other individuals for dealing drugs and narcotic-related offenses.

On December 15, 2025, Houchens entered a guilty plea to Dealing in Meth (Level 4 felony).  Following a hearing on March 11, Judge James Worton of the Bartholomew Superior Court 1 sentenced Houchens to nine years to be served in the Indiana Department of Correction.  

The sentencing range for a Level 4 felony is from two to 12 years, with an advisory sentence of six years.

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