Columbus man headed to prison for two decades

A Columbus man on probation has been sentenced to 25 years of confinement after meth, cocaine and fentanyl were found at his home last year.

According to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office, community corrections officers were checking probation compliance at the home of Brian Avery Jones Sr. in January of 2025 when they became suspicious of his behavior. A search warrant was issued for the home and officers from the Columbus Police Department and Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team uncovered 28 grams of methamphetamine, 6 grams of cocaine and 2 grams of fentanyl at the home. They also recovered cash and cell phones with containing text messages discussing drug dealing.

Jones was arrested on felony charges including felony dealing in methamphetamine and pled guilty in November. Last week, Bartholomew Circuit Court Judge Kelly Benjamin sentenced him to  25 years, with 20 years to be executed in the Indiana Department of Correction,  5 years to be suspended and  3years to be spent on probation after his release.