Docs: Man died after receiving counterfeit, fentanyl-laced pills from Muncie drug dealer

DELAWARE COUNTY, Ind. — A Muncie man has been arrested for dealing counterfeit, fentanyl-laced pills that are believed to have caused a man’s death.

According to an affidavit for probable cause released on Monday, officers with the Anderson Police Department responded to the 500 block of Cottage Drive after receiving a report about a man who was found dead in his residence in the area.

Officers arrived and found Caleb K. Mixell deceased in his residence. Per court records, Mixell’s autopsy results revealed that multiple narcotics, including fentanyl and cocaine, were present in Mixell’s blood.

The Yorktown Police Department and Delaware County Sheriff’s Department took over APD’s investigation because officials suspected Mixell acquired the drugs that he took on the day of his day his death in Delaware County.

During a search of Mixell’s residence, law enforcement found drug residue they believed originated from a crushed fentanyl pill. Police reported that one of Mixell’s family members later found two round blue pills with “M30” imprints on them in Mixell’s wallet.

According to court documents, the tablets were likely pressed fentanyl pills. The tablets matched the drug residue police had previously identified during their search of Mixell’s residence.

Investigators also conducted a forensic analysis of Mixell’s phone. During the analysis, they found messages detailing a drug transaction between Mixell and 36-year-old Westley Lee Townsend.

During the interaction, Mixell agreed to trade cocaine for oxycontin.

Police later interviewed some of Mixell’s friends. Per court records, Mixell’s friends said he had set up a deal to exchange cocaine for oxycontin.

After a review of employee records, investigators determined Mixell and Townsend were both present at the business they worked for the day before Mixell died.

Police arrested Townsend during a traffic stop on Friday. He was later questioned by police.

During the interview, Townsend denied using any drugs other than marijuana. He also claimed he did not supply the narcotics Mixell used on the day of his death, according to court documents.

When police pressed Townsend about his answers, he admitted that he also used cocaine. When officers asked Townsend about the messages he had exchanged with Mixell, Townsend said the deal he had arranged fell through.

Townsend has been preliminarily charged with dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death and conspiracy to deal a narcotic drug.

Dealing resulting in death is a Level 1 Felony in Indiana. The maximum penalty for such a crime in the Hoosier State is a 40-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $10,000.