26-year-old Franklin man convicted of dealing drugs resulting in death

FRANKLIN, Ind. (WISH) — A 26-year-old man from Franklin, Indiana, has been convicted of dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death.

On Thursday, Aaron Maupin, 26, of Franklin, was convicted following a three-day trial in Johnson County Superior Court 1 of dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death, a Level 1 felony.

The conviction stems from a Franklin Police Department investigation into the overdose death of Franklin resident Bryanna Taylor, who died on Oct. 3, 2023. The investigation determined that Taylor died from fentanyl toxicity after ingesting pressed fentanyl pills made to resemble oxycodone. Evidence presented at trial showed that Maupin orchestrated the drug deal for the pills that caused Taylor’s death.

This is the first case charged in Johnson County under Indiana’s dealing in a controlled substance statute since the law went into effect in July 2019.

On Feb. 12, Maupin will be sentenced by Judge Brandi Kirkendall in Johnson County Superior Court 1. A Level 1 felony carries a sentencing range of 20 to 40 years, with a presumptive sentence of 30 years under Indiana law.

“This office believes in holding drug dealers accountable for the harm they cause,” said Johnson County Prosecutor Lance Hamner. “We hope this conviction serves as a reminder to the public of the extreme danger fentanyl poses to our community and as a reminder to drug dealers...