Muncie man convicted of drug trafficking that led to teen’s death

MUNCIE, Indiana – A Muncie man has been found guilty on multiple counts after a teenager died in November 2023 from complications after taking drugs he was dealing.

The District Court of Delaware convicted 24-year-old Ricky Taylor of:

• Aiding, abetting, or causing trafficking in controlled substances resulting in death, a Level 1 felony
• Trafficking in narcotics, severity level 5
• Conspiracy to traffic in narcotics, a level 5 felony

Taylor was found not guilty on another count, namely aiding, abetting, or causing the trafficking of a controlled substance resulting in death (a Level 1 felony), on the third count.

According to prosecutors, Taylor’s case marks the 12th drug dealer convicted of drug trafficking resulting in death in Delaware County.

“I am proud to announce that a major supplier of counterfeit fentanyl pills has been convicted of aiding, abetting, or causing the trafficking of a narcotic resulting in death for his role in the fentanyl distribution chain in Delaware County,” said Andrew Ramirez, Deputy Delaware County District Attorney.

“To our knowledge, this may be the first time a high-level supplier has been held responsible for an overdose death associated with his distribution network. This is the 12th drug trafficker to be convicted of drug trafficking resulting in death in Delaware County.”

Taylor faces up to 40 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for a Level 1 felony, and up to 6 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for a Level 5 felony.

His sentence will be announced on July 17, 2024.

Information will be updated as it becomes available. More information on this case can be found here.