A former chief deputy from Indiana has been taken into custody on multiple charges for acting as an informant within the sheriff’s department for a drug dealer apprehended in 2022.
Fayette County Deputy Andrew “Chad” Blaes, aged 46, received a call from the dealer, Tristen Sweney, on the day Sweney’s home was searched by state police. Sweney demanded to know why Blaes hadn’t alerted him about the impending raid, according to WXIN. Blaes explained that the state police had not informed local law enforcement about their operation.
At the time, the authorities were unaware of Blaes’ involvement. They arrested Sweney, confiscating over $2 million in marijuana and THC, along with several assault-style weapons. It was only years later that whispers of a “corrupt officer” emerged, leading to Blaes being charged with charges like corrupt business practices, bribery, obstruction of justice, and multiple counts of official misconduct.
According to court records, an investigation led by Indiana state police and the FBI uncovered that Blaes supplied his dealer boss with confidential information about police activities and deputy work schedules. He also tipped Sweney off about potential raids and cautioned deputies if they were getting too close to him.
The documents reveal Blaes attempted to conceal his identity by using a phone number spoofing app. However, messages from Sweney, which included birthday greetings on Blaes’ birthday and congratulations on his son’s graduation, provided important hints. These records prompted investigators to subpoena the app provider, discovering that the account was linked to Blaes.
In one text message, Blaes warned Sweney, advising, “Make sure you and your team don’t move anything tonight, there are a lot of state police out stopping people looking for drugs, so stay safe.”
But that wasn’t all. Informants also provided information about Blaes’ activities, and even some deputies began hearing rumors about the man who had risen to chief deputy in 2023.
One deputy told investigators about a time he had pulled over a buyer leaving Sweney’s house — and learned from that buyer that Sweney had a cop “on retainer” inside the sheriff’s department. That same deputy said that a short time later, he pulled Sweney over after surveilling his house, only to get a phone call from Blaes telling him to back off and “not ruin” Blaes’ investigation into Sweney. He further told the deputy not to question him or search his vehicle.
Another information specifically pointed to Blaes when he was asked about an incident in which Sweney was reportedly warned about a GPS device deputies had placed on an informant’s vehicle. Blaes reportedly asked deputies about the device, and shortly afterward, Sweney called his informant and told him to switch vehicles.
That informant told investigators Blaes was paied between $1,000 and $10,000 a month to be Sweney’s “eye in the sky.”
Blaes retired from the department on January 15, and by the end of the month, the department said in a statement on Facebook that there was an investigation into misconduct by an unidentified employee.
Blaes was arrested on July 30.
Sweney was initially charged with dealing and possession of marijuana over ten pounds and maintaining a common nuisance. He pleaded guilty to the possession charges last year and was ordered to pay a $1,000 drug interdiction fee and $189 in court costs, court records show. But now faces new charges. He was arrested on Friday and charged with corrupt business influence and conspiracy to commit bribery.
