5 appear in court for federal drug raid

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Five people involved in a federal drug ring were sentenced Wednesday.

Last December, authorities conducted a federal drug raid in Vigo County. During this round-up, officers arrested 20 people for trafficking meth.

This was the same raid that led federal authorities to arrest and sentence former Vigo County Commissioner David Decker.

Just one of the five sentenced Wednesday was 41-year-old James Chambers. Chambers was sentenced to 151 months in prison, a fine of $1,000 and drug counseling while in prison. After leaving prison, Chambers will be on supervised release for eight years.

"You might see sentences as little as five years and as we progress, you'll see sentenced around 25 years," assistant U.S. attorney Brad Blackington said.

Blackington said five more people will be sentenced Thursday in federal court, in connection with the raid. He added this case is entering its final stages with around 13 people still awaiting sentencing.

James Chambers - 151 months jail, five years supervised release, $1,000 fine

Brandon Nemeth - 96 months jail, four years supervised release, $1,000 fine

Steve Swayze - 60 months jail, five years supervised release, $1,000 fine

Hugh Dean - 204 months jail, eight years supervised release, $1,000 fine

Gary Herman - 60 months jail, four years supervised release, $1,000 fine