Dayqawn Peoples Sentenced to 75 Years for Dealing Resulting in Death and Other Offenses

June 3, 2026

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.

Madison County Prosecutor's Office News

October 16, 2026
On October 16, 2026, a Madison County Circuit Court 3 jury found Claud Greenlee, II (59 of Anderson) guilty of three counts of Possession of Child Pornography, two counts as Level 5 felonies, and one count as a Level 6 felony. Following the jury's verdict, Judge Andrew Hopper remanded Greenlee into the custody of the Madison County Sheriff's Department and set sentencing for November 18, 2026, at 8:30 am, where he faces a maximum sentence under Indiana law of 8.5 years. At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutor Dan Kopp. The case was investigated by Det. Tyler Mitchell of the Hamilton County Metro Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
October 6, 2026
Following a six-day trial, a Madison County Circuit Court II jury found Rejon Smith (18 of Centralia, Illinois) guilty of the following offenses related to the February 2, 2025 shooting death of 26-year-old Dayla Swain outside of Sonny Ray's in Anderson: Count I: Murder, a Felony; Count II: Attempted Murder, a Level 1 felony; Count III: Conspiracy to Commit Murder, a Level 2 felony; Count IV: Dangerous Possession of a Firearm, a Class A misdemeanor; and Count V: Criminal Organization Activity. Following the jury's verdict in the initial phase of the trial, additional evidence was presented, and the jury also found Smith guilty of the Criminal Organization Enhancement. Judge David Happe set Smith's sentencing for November 10, 2026 at 8:30 am where he faces a maximum possible sentence of 176 years. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Tyler Piraino and Jesse Miller. The case was investigated by Det. Brett Webb and Det. Cora Garcia of the Anderson Police Department. So far, Smith is the 5th of 9 charged defendants for two separate, but related, murders:  Charged with the death of Jullian Craig: Donavan Harris (sentenced to 60 years) Charged with the death of Dayla Swain: Completed: Rashawn Darrius Samuels (sentenced to 125 years) Jo'Majze Dayshon Larry (sentenced to 100 years) Kyree M. Craver (sentenced to 90 years) Rejon Smith (sentencing scheduled for 11/10/26) Remaining: Javeayon Markeese Johnson (jury trial scheduled 1/11/27) Javeaian Michael Johnson (jury trial scheduled 1/11/27) Ja'Brawll Thomas (jury trial scheduled 11/13/26) Geno Gykarius Moffett (remains wanted on warrant)
September 18, 2026
On Friday, September 18, 2026, Judge David Happe sentenced Matthew Deprez (41 of Elwood) to an aggregate sentence of twenty (20) years with seventeen (17) years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction and three (3) years suspended to Reporting Probation. The Court also ordered Deprez to register as a sex offender for life and found Deprez to be a sexually violent predator. On August 21, 2026, a Madison County Circuit Court IV jury found Deprez guilty of two counts of Child Molest as Level 4 felonies. Under Indiana law, a Level 4 felony carries a possible sentence of 2-12 years. At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Grainne Kao and Tyler Piraino. The case was investigated by Det. Caitlin Morency of the Madison County Sheriff's Department.
September 11, 2026
On Friday, September 11, 2026, Judge Mark Dudley sentenced Daniel Manning (39 of Anderson) to a total sentence of fifty (50) years with forty (40) years executed at the Indiana Department of Correction and ten (10) years suspended to probation. The Court also ordered Manning to register as a sex offender for life and found Manning to be a sexually violent predator. On August 14, 2026, Manning pleaded guilty as charged pursuant to a plea agreement to two counts of Child Molesting, Level 1 felonies, two counts of Child Molesting, Level 4 felonies, two counts of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Level 4 felonies, and two counts of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, level 5 felonies. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutor Dan Kopp. The case was investigated by Det. Matt Kopp of the Anderson Police Department.
September 10, 2026
On September 9, 2026, following a two-day trial, a Madison County Circuit 4 jury found Demarcus Henning (48 of Indianapolis) guilty of Possession of Methamphetamine, a Level 5 felony, and Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor. Following the jury's verdict, Henning admitted to being a Habitual Offender. Judge Happe set Henning's sentencing for October 13, 2026, where he faces a sentence of 1-6 years on the underlying conviction of Possession of a Methamphetamine, a Level 5 felony, which can be enhanced by a period of 2-6 years due to Henning's criminal history for a maximum possible sentence of 12 years. At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Tyler Piraino and Jacob Bradshaw. The case was investigated by Deputy Blake Callahan of the Madison County Sheriff's Department.
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