MADISON WOMAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS FOR ROLE IN DRUG ENTERPRISE

Watson charges arose from the Indiana State Police “Operation Iceberg

Jefferson County, IN - Amber Watson, 31 of Madison, IN, was convicted in Jefferson County Circuit Court of two (2) counts of Conspiracy to Deal in Methamphetamine, both level two (2) felonies. Watson appeared before Judge D.J. Mote for sentencing on December 10, 2025, where she was sentenced to 25 years at the Indiana Department of Corrections.

“We appreciate the sentence imposed by Judge Mote in this case, as it holds Amber Watson accountable for the seriousness of her conduct and recognizes the tremendous harm drug dealing has on our community” said Prosecutor David Sutter.

Watson’s charges arose from the Indiana State Police “Operation Iceberg”. During the investigation, Watson was identified as having an active role in a drug enterprise, by working with Christopher Dorten and other co-conspirators to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine into our community.

The court took notice during sentencing of Watson’s continuous pattern of criminal conduct leading up to her arrest. Watson was previously convicted of Residential Entry, Level 6 Felony in March of 2024. While incarcerated pending sentencing for the March conviction, Watson facilitated drug transactions from inside the Jefferson County Jail over recorded communications. Watson connected individuals on the outside to narcotics by relaying instructions and coordinating the drug transactions between co-conspirators.

A petition to revoke Watson’s probation was filed in July 2024, citing multiple violations including positive drug screen results for methamphetamine, THC and cocaine. Watson also had other non-compliance occurrences. Prior to the filing of the revocation, Jefferson County Court Services attempted to assist Watson in her struggles with addiction, by directing her to a total of five different treatment programs and facilities during the span of her probation period, but she was not compliant in successfully completing any of the programs. Watson admitted at sentencing, that she additionally lied to court staff regarding being unable to appear for a civil court date due to being in rehab, as she had previously left the inpatient facility and was at her residence at that time.

Watson’s continued disregard for potential consequences for her actions, were taken into consideration by the court following the testimony of Indiana State Police, Detective Mark Jenkins.

Detective Jenkins testified that Watson’s movements were documented by her court ordered GPS monitor, showing that Watson traveled to Louisville, Kentucky from May to June of 2024 on several different occasions. The investigation identified Christopher Dorten also to have traveled to the same general area on corresponding dates and times to obtain illegal narcotics. Phone records revealed that Watson arranged drug transactions with

individuals, accepted cash/payments through a digital payment platform, and facilitated deliveries of the drugs in Jefferson County, Indiana.

“Watson’s involvement in the drug enterprise resulted in a large amount of methamphetamine and cocaine being trafficked in Jefferson County” said Prosecutor Sutter, “Her actions enabled others in their drug use and fueled a larger cycle of substance abuse in our community.”

Judge Mote determined that the aggravating factors significantly outweighed the mitigating factors, making Watson an unfit candidate for community release as a suspended sentence would depreciate the seriousness of the crime and Watson’s conduct.

“The use of these drugs cause nothing but death and destruction in their wake.” said Judge Mote.

We extend our appreciation to Judge Mote for imposing an appropriate and firm sentence in this case. We further commend the dedicated efforts of ISP Detective Mark Jenkins, ISP Sgt. Adam Bullock, the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Court Services, and Prosecutor Michaelia Gilbert, whose commitment to this case was instrumental in bringing it to a successful resolution.