Jefferson County, Ind. — A Madison man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison following Jefferson County’s first-ever conviction for dealing a controlled substance resulting in death.
On Dec. 10, 2025, Judge D.J. Mote sentenced Mark Anthony Smith, 43, to 30 years at the Indiana Department of Correction. Smith was convicted of Dealing in a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, a Level 1 felony, in connection with the July 21, 2024 death of David Bradley Parks, 38.
“This case shows why strict sentences are imposed on individuals who deal deadly narcotics,” Jefferson County Prosecutor David Sutter said. “Sentences like the one Judge Mote imposed are necessary because the stakes could not be higher.”
Parks, who lived at Jefferson House — a transitional residence for individuals in recovery — was found unresponsive on July 21, 2024. Witnesses and medical personnel were unable to revive him. Toxicology results later determined Parks died from fentanyl, xylazine, and para-fluorofentanyl toxicity. Xylazine, a veterinary sedative often used to adulterate fentanyl, is not an opioid and cannot be reversed by Narcan.
Madison Police Detective Phillip Wimpee played a key role in the investigation. Forensic analysis of Parks’ cellphone revealed messages discussing a drug transaction with a contact identified as “Smitty” shortly before Parks’ death. Investigators later identified “Smitty” as Smith.
In the July 21 text exchange, Smith confirmed meeting Parks at his residence and mentioned he did not have a bag to package the drugs, instead concealing them inside a card. Investigators later recovered a basketball card from Parks’ wallet that contained a powder-like substance matching Smith’s description.
The Indiana State Police Laboratory confirmed the substance inside the card contained the same fentanyl and xylazine found in the coroner’s toxicology report. Investigators concluded the drugs Smith sold that day directly caused Parks’ death.
Authorities issued a warrant for Smith’s arrest, and officers later took him into custody during a traffic stop in Jeffersonville. During the stop, Smith admitted to selling fentanyl to three people and methamphetamine to hundreds over his lifetime. Police also recovered large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Smith now faces additional charges in Clark County, where he has been charged with multiple counts of dealing and possession of methamphetamine and narcotic drugs. Those charges remain pending.
“When individuals sell fentanyl and other illegal substances, they gamble with other people’s lives,” Prosecutor Sutter said. “The loss of David Parks is the devastating reality of that decision.”
During sentencing, a member of Parks’ family delivered an emotional victim impact statement, describing the profound loss — including the death of a father to two young children.
After hearing the statements, Judge Mote said, “Mr. Parks had value. No matter the circumstances of how he came into contact with Mr. Smith, he had value.”
Officials thanked Detective Wimpee, the Madison Police Department, the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, NKDH EMS, the Indiana State Police Laboratory, Deputy Prosecutor Michaelia Gilbert, and the Jeffersonville Police Department for their work in holding Smith accountable and providing answers to Parks’ family.
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