Dayqawn Peoples Convicted of Dealing Resulting in Death

On June 3, 2026, a Madison County Circuit Court 1 jury found Donavan Harris (20 of Anderson) guilty of Count I: Murder, a felony; Count II: Attempted Armed Robbery, a Level 3 felony; and Count III: Criminal Confinement, a level 3 felony. Following the jury's verdict, Judge Angela Warner Sims scheduled Harris' sentencing for July 7, 2026, where he faces a maximum possible sentence of 65 years. Harris' charges stem from the shooting death of 15-year-old Jullian D. Craig, who was killed during the commission of an attempted armed robbery on November 24, 2023. The evidence presented at trial proved that Craig was armed with a handgun lying in the backseat of a vehicle driven by Harris, when the pair lured a subject into the vehicle with the promise of paying a debt owed. During an altercation inside the vehicle, the victim of the attempted robbery shot and killed Craig in self-defense. Under the doctrine of "Felony Murder", when someone commits or attempts to commit certain serious felonies, such as robbery, and a death results during the commission of that crime, the participants can be held responsible for the death. The law recognizes that some crimes are so inherently dangerous that those who choose to commit them should be held accountable for the foreseeable consequences thereof, including the loss of human life. At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Jennifer Haley and Samanthan Green. The case was investigated by Officer Travis Thompson, formerly of the Anderson Police Department, now employed by the Pendleton Police Department.

On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Judge David Happe sentenced Dayqawn Peoples (33 of Anderson) to an aggregate sentence of 75 years. On April 17, 2026, a Madison County Circuit 4 jury found Peoples guilty of Dealing in a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, a Level 1 felony, Dealing in a Narcotic Drug, a Level 2 felony, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, a Level 4 felony. Judge Happe imposed a sentence of 40 years for Dealing in a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, a Level 1 felony, 25 years for Dealing in a Narcotic Drug, a Level 2 felony, and 10 years for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, a Level 4 felony, all to be served consecutively at the Indiana Department of Correction for a total aggregate sentence of 75 years. The charges stem from the January 22, 2025 overdose death of Morgan Whetsel. As part of the investigation, police executed a search warrant at Peoples' residence and located approximately two pounds of Heroin and a 45 caliber Glock handgun with a loaded high capacity drum magazine. The investigation also revealed evidence that Peoples had previously distributed over four pounds of Heroin. At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Jesse Miller and Tyler Piraino. The case was investigated by Detective Lance Blossom of the Anderson Police Department. Peoples criminal history was considered as an aggravator at sentencing, which includes the following convictions: 2012: Possession of Cocaine, a Class B felony; 2012: Carrying a Handgun Without a License, a Class A misdemeanor; 2013: Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor; 2013: Possession of Marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor; 2013: Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class D felony; 2013: Dealing in Cocaine, a Class B felony; 2013: Armed Robbery, a Class B felony; 2013: Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor; 2014: Dealing in Cocaine, a Class B felony; 2014: Dealing in Cocaine, a Class B felony; and 2014: Dealing in Cocaine, a Class B felony.

On Monday, May 18, 2026, following a five-day trial, a Madison County Circuit Court 4 jury found Kyree Craver (19 of Anderson) guilty of the following offenses: Count 1: Aiding, Inducing, or Causing Murder, a felony; Count 2: Attempted Murder, a Level 1 felony; Count 3: Conspiracy to Commit Murder, a Level 2 felony; Count 4: Dangerous Possession of a Firearm, a Class A misdemeanor; Count 5: Criminal Organization Activity, a Level 5 felony; and Count 6: Criminal Organization Enhancement. Craver's charges stem from the February 2, 2025 shooting death of 26-year-old Dayla Swain outside of Sonny Ray's in Anderson. Judge David Happe set Craver's sentencing for June 23, 2026, where he faces a maximum possible sentence of 176 years. The case was investigated by Det. Brett Webb of the Anderson Police Department. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Tyler Piraino and Jesse Miller.

On Tuesday, May 7, 2026, Judge David Happe sentenced Andres Guajardo to 46 years with 40 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction and 6 years suspended to formal probation. On March 25, 2026, Andres Guajardo pleaded guilty as charged to the following offenses: Count 1: Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony; Count 2: Child Molesting, a Level 4 felony; Count 3: Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, a Level 4 felony; Count 4: Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, a Level 5 felony; and Count 5: Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony. Judge Happe also found Guajardo to be a Sexually Violent Predator and ordered him to register as a Sex Offender for life. The case was investigated Nolan Schaefer of the Anderson Police Department. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutor Dan Kopp.