IMPD: Indy man charged after fatal overdose occurred days before Christmas

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis man is charged with dealing resulting in death following a fatal fentanyl overdose just days before Christmas on Indy’s northwest side.

On Dec. 21, 2024, officers responded to a home in the 6900 block of Caledonia Circle on a welfare check.

When officers arrived, they found 31-year-old Aaron Love in an upstairs bedroom from a fentanyl related overdose. Police were first called to the home because Love was reportedly on house arrest and his ankle monitor hadn’t moved for several hours.

According to court documents, 33-year-old Ladell Dean has been charged in Marion County with one count of dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death, a Level 1 felony.

Prosecutors claim Dean sent Love a text message the night before the overdose saying, “I’m on my way.”

Cell phone records also allegedly placed Dean at Love’s home the night before the overdose.

“We want justice for the families. We want these people to know this isn’t something we’re going to give up on.  We also want to be a deterrent to people pushing this stuff in our streets to quit doing it,” IMPD Lt. Justin Gough said.

Gough, who is with the IMPD’s Overdose Death Task Force, reminds everyone that just a tiny amount of fentanyl can be fatal.

According to court records, Dean told police he didn’t sell drugs to the victim, but allegedly admitted to Love’s family he had given him a “gram.”

The affidavit details how Love allegedly told his sister he planned to get some drugs from Dunn and flip it to make some money for Christmas gifts for his three daughters. Love’s sister insisted that “she didn’t think it was a good idea because he may be tempted to use the drugs himself.”

Although Love did have a criminal history, including drug-related offenses, his family believes he had gotten clean in recent years.

Love’s death was one of nearly 300 fatal fentanyl overdoses last year in Marion County, but IMPD believes increased awareness and enforcement are helping lead to a dramatic decrease in fatal overdoses over the last few years.

“We want the public to be aware how dangerous this drug is and we want people dealing it to know we’re not going to quit coming after them,” said Gough.

On Sept. 3, Dean’s charges were filed by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. At the time, Dean was being held in Hendricks County on unrelated charges. The post read that Dean is expected to be extradited to Marion County.

“Every overdose death represents a life cut short and a family left grieving,” IMPD Deputy Chief of Investigations Kendale Adams said in a social post from IMPD. “I commend the dedication of the ODTF, the MCPO, and the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office for their coordinated efforts in this case. Their work demonstrates our commitment to holding accountable those who profit from dangerous drugs. We continue to pursue justice for victims and their loved ones and to confront the devastating impact of drug-related deaths in our community.”

The court documents stated that Dean’s bond has been set at $40,000 in cash.