James Lavarquis Graham, 40, of Shelbyville, was convicted by a jury of three counts of Level 5 Felony Dealing a Narcotic Drug, one count of Level 4 Felony Dealing Methamphetamine, and one Level 3 Felony count of Dealing Methamphetamine, as well as one Level 5 Felony count of Corrupt Business Influence.

The jury reconvened Thursday and found Graham to be an Habitual Offender.

Shelby County Prosecutor Brad Landwerlen called eight witnesses in the main part of the trial. This included two confidential informants, one accessory to one of the deals, one undercover Indiana State Trooper drug detective, three local officers, and a lab tech from the Indiana State Police Lab. Landwerlen says the evidence proved that Graham, who goes by the street name "Fuddy", sold fentanyl to police through an informant after promising to deliver heroin in April of 2019. A few days later, he sold Fentanyl and meth to police through an informant. A few days later he sold over seven grams of meth to police though an informant, and through the use of an accessory who actually delivered the meth. A few days later he sold meth to police through an informant, who was accompanied by an undercover officer. A few days later he sold fentanyl and meth to police through an informant. These deals took place between April 12 - April 30, 2019.

The prosecutor says he did not call the third informant to testify. The jury deliberated approximately 20 minutes before finding Graham guilty on all of counts.

Landwerlen then called five witnesses to testify regarding Graham's status of being an Habitual Offender. The jury deliberated roughly two minutes before finding him to be an habitual offender.

Graham had failed to appear for a hearing to revoke his bond a couple of weeks ago, and also failed to appear for trial, so he was tried in abstentia. After he is caught, he will be sentenced to up to 36 years in prison.

The prosecutor says he would like to commend narcotics investigator Jason Myers for conducting a thorough and difficult investigation, as well as the other officers involved in the case.

The prosecutor’s office requests that anyone with information on the whereabouts of James "Fuddy" Graham to avoid approaching him, and contact the Shelby County Sheriff's Department at 317-398-6661.