News Release

HUNTINGTON — Four people – including three inmates – have been arrested in connection with a recent death of another inmate in the Huntington County Jail.

The Indiana State Police began an investigation after Nicholas Parks, 42, of Bunker Hill, was found unresponsive around 3 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22.

This investigation has led to additional charges on three inmates currently incarcerated in the Huntington County Jail, state police said in a news release. Those include:

• Michael Kelly Jr., 22, of Huntington, was arrested for dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, a level 1 felony; aiding in dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, a level 1 felony; trafficking, a level 5 felony; and dealing a narcotic drug, a level 5 felony.
• Jacob Lee Landon Johnson, 40, of Huntington, was arrested for dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, a level 1 felony; and aiding in dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, a level 1 felony.
• Nicholas Ryan Shepperd, 36, of Huntington, was arrested for dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, a level 1 felony; and aiding in dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, a level 1 felony.

The investigation also led to the arrest of Duane Barnes, 41, Huntington. He is facing seven charges, including dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, a level 1 felony.

The final autopsy report and toxicology results for Parks are still pending.