By rssfeeds-admin 
According to court documents, Shane Johns has been officially charged with:
- One count of dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death, a Level 1 felony
- One count of dealing in a narcotic drug
- One count of obstruction of justice, a Level 6 felony
Before being taken into custody, police claim Johns repeatedly tried to escape arrest and obstruct the investigation.
Just six weeks after an overdose caused the death of Phillip Mulinaro, police tracked the suspect down to a Quality Inn on the south side. The suspect allegedly led police on a high-speed chase, but he didn’t get far.
Speeding down Shelby street last month, the suspect crashed his red Ford into another car and flipped several times.
At the end of the pursuit, Johns was taken into custody. After a probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, the following items were reportedly found:
- Around 77 grams of fentanyl
- Around $30,000 in cash
- Evidence of narcotics dealing, including digital scales and plastic bags
- A loaded handgun magazine.
“I’m happy that justice is being served. I’m really glad he’s being held accountable, because a lot of cases don’t have that outcome,” said the victim’s sister Baylie Mulinaro.
Baylie says her brother was in recovery for years before he died from a fentanyl overdose while sitting inside his pickup truck at a parking lot along East Thompson Road in December.
“I want people to know that Phil was a caring human. He had so much life ahead of him,” said Baylie Mulinaro. “I hope that people see this and they wake up.”
“I’m happy for the families that have gotten some closure and I hope the community sees we’re taking this very seriously,” said IMPD Deputy Chief Kendale Adams.
IMPD and the DEA both investigated the case as part of the Overdose Task Force.
IMPD claims surveillance video showed the deadly drug deal between Johns and Phillip Mulinaro. Multiple witnesses also allege that Johns dealt the victim the fatal dose.
Just hours after the fatal overdose, text messages show Johns changed his phone number.
According to the affidavit filed in Marion County, Johns also reportedly bribed someone with drugs to steal the victim’s phone from his truck, because Johns feared it would connect him to the crime.
“I think it’s important for them to understand, if you’re a drug dealer, your days are numbered,” said DEA assistant special agent in charge Mike Gannon.
In addition to the Marion County charges, Johns is also facing federal charges after he reportedly admitted to dealing large amounts of the fentanyl before and after the fatal overdose.
According to the federal indictment, Johns allegedly said he “won’t sell to anyone he doesn’t think has the tolerance to do fentanyl.” When asked why, Johns reportedly stated, “I don’t want nobody to die on me.”
Although overdose deaths declined last year compared to the two prior years, just a tiny amount of fentanyl can still be deadly.
That’s why Phillip Mulinaro’s family and the DEA hope others learn from the tragic case.
“All Hoosiers have to beware, if you’re taking drugs from someone on the street, you’re risking your life,” said Gannon.
“If you’re having a bad day, reach out to your support system because it takes just one time to make a poor decision,” said Baylie Mulinaro.
Johns is currently being held without bond for federal drug charges. At the same time, a warrant has now been issued for his arrest on the state charges.
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