Multi-county drug operation leads to 11 arrests in ‘Operation Snow White’

A coordinated multi-agency drug investigation culminated in the arrest of 11 individuals across five Indiana counties and Kentucky on March 3, 2026, following months of surveillance and controlled purchases targeting narcotics distribution in Dubois County.

The operation, dubbed “Operation Snow White,” involved the Dubois County Prosecutor’s Office partnering with the Jasper City Police Department, Dubois County Sheriff’s Office, Huntingburg Police Department, and Indiana State Police to execute arrest warrants simultaneously across Dubois, Orange, Spencer, Warrick, and Perry counties in Indiana, as well as Owensboro, Kentucky.

“Combating the flow of illicit substances in Dubois County and holding accountable those individuals who exploit addiction for profit remains a top priority of the Dubois County Prosecutor’s Office,” stated Prosecutor Beth Schroeder in announcing the arrests.

The charges range from Level 2 felonies for dealing cocaine and methamphetamine to Level 6 felonies for marijuana distribution. Seven defendants face methamphetamine dealing charges, while others are charged with cocaine and marijuana offenses.

Andrew D. Benales, 22, of Paoli, faces several charges, including two counts of dealing cocaine and one count of dealing a Schedule IV controlled substance. During the execution of his arrest warrant, investigators recovered 10.5 grams of pressed methamphetamine pills, 595 Xanax pills, cocaine, and a handgun at his Orange County residence, which is likely to result in additional criminal charges.

Bond for Benales is set at $25,000 cash only, with enhanced pre-trial monitoring if posted.

Three French Lick residents face Level 2 felony methamphetamine dealing charges. Bobbie J. Nadeau, 42, faces two counts and receives a $50,000 cash-only bond. Investigators recovered methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia at her Orange County residence during the arrest.

Bryor L. Shipman, 24, and Kaylin M. McKinney, 26, both of French Lick, each face one count of Level 2 felony methamphetamine dealing with $50,000 cash-only bonds. McKinney also has outstanding misdemeanor warrants for operating a vehicle without a license and is being held without bond on those charges.

During McKinney’s arrest, investigators recovered methamphetamine, marijuana, and paraphernalia at her Orange County residence.

Several defendants are already in custody on unrelated charges when served with the new warrants. Avery B. Northerner, 37, of Tell City, faces two Level 3 felony methamphetamine dealing counts and was served while held at the Spencer County Security Center on a $200,000 bond.

Darrel R. Harris Jr., 35, of Huntingburg, faces one Level 3 felony methamphetamine dealing count and was served while held at the Dubois County Security Center on a $20,000 cash bond for a separate Level 2 felony methamphetamine dealing charge. His bond on the new case is set at an additional $25,000 cash only.

Jefferey R. Sandage, 53, of Tell City, faces one Level 4 felony methamphetamine dealing count and was served while held at the Perry County Security Center on a $255,000 bond for other charges.

Two Jasper residents face drug dealing charges. Juan Carlos Sanchez, 22, is charged with Level 6 felony marijuana dealing and receives a $1,500 cash-only bond with moderate pre-trial monitoring. Saul Jesus Reyes, 21, faces Level 2 felony cocaine dealing and Level 6 felony marijuana dealing charges, but was arrested in Owensboro, Kentucky, and held without bond there.

Shannon R. Simmons, 54, of Cannelton, and Zachary W. Hill, 47, of Dale, each face two Level 4 felony methamphetamine dealing counts with $10,000 cash-only bonds and enhanced pre-trial monitoring if posted.

Seven defendants arrested without incident are held at the Dubois County Security Center and appeared before Dubois Superior Court Judge Anthony Quinn on March 4, 2026, for initial hearings. The remaining defendants held in other counties will be brought back to Dubois County for future hearings and are currently held without bond on these warrants.

The investigation represented extensive law enforcement work involving coordinated police surveillance, carefully planned controlled purchases, search warrant execution, detailed evidence review, and hours of report preparation. The Paoli City Police Department and Owensboro Police Department/DEA assist the primary agencies in executing the operation.

The prosecutor’s office filed felony drug dealing charges against 23 individuals in 2025 alone, reflecting an ongoing effort to disrupt narcotics distribution in local communities. Schroeder specifically recognized Deputy Prosecutor Jenelle Murling, Narcotics Detective Craig Schneider of the Dubois County Sheriff’s Office, and Patrolman Logan Jones of the Jasper Police Department for their work on these cases.

“These cases are rarely simple or swift,” Schroeder noted. “They are often the result of extensive and prolonged narcotics investigations involving coordinated police surveillance, carefully planned controlled purchases, the execution of search warrants, detailed evidence review, and hours of report preparation.”

Each case requires strong collaboration between law enforcement officers and prosecutors to ensure charges are supported by solid evidence and presented effectively in court, according to the prosecutor’s office.

The prosecutor’s office expressed appreciation for law enforcement partners’ diligence, professionalism, and commitment to community safety in conducting the multi-month investigation that led to the coordinated arrests.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.