Demarcus Davis and Roger Rodriguez Sentenced to a Combined 196 Years for the June 27, 2023, Shooting Death of Timothy Kates

February 12, 2025

On February 12, 2025, Judge Angela Warner Sims sentenced Demarcus Davis and Roger Rodriguez to a combined 196 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction for the June 27, 2023, shooting death of Timothy Kates. A Madison County Circuit Court 1 jury found Demarcus Davis and Roger Rodriguez guilty of Murder, a felony, Felony Murder, a felony, and Armed Robbery, a Level 3 felony, in a joint trial concluding on January 10, 2025. Following the jury's verdict, both Davis and Rodriguez admitted to being Habitual Offenders. 

 

At sentencing, the State presented evidence from Facebook messages which were inadmissible at trial that in the months prior to the murder, Davis and Rodriguez were engaged in purchasing and selling various kinds of narcotics and several firearms. Timiah Kates, the daughter of Timothy Kates, delivered a statement regarding her father, his positive impact on his family and the people around him, as well what the loss has meant for her and her younger siblings.

 

Judge Sims imposed a maximum sentence for Murder of 65 years and a maximum sentence of 16 years for Armed Robbery to be served consecutively for both Davis and Rodriguez. Each Murder conviction was enhanced by an additional 15 years due to their criminal history as Habitual Offenders for a total of 96 years each for both Davis and Rodriguez, all to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. Demarcus Davis received an additional sanction for a violation on an existing case of an additional 4 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction for a total sentence of 100 years. 

 

At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutor Jennifer Haley and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Hanna. The case was investigated by Detective Travis Thompson of the Anderson Police Department. Demarcus Davis was represented by Neal Zilliak and Roger Rodriguez was represented by Bryan Williams.

Madison County Prosecutor's Office News

Daniel Manning Sentenced to 50 Years for Child Molesting

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.

Demarcus Henning Convicted of Possession of Methamphetamine and Habitual Offender Enhancement

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.

Nathaniel Lange Convicted of Child Molesting

August 28, 2026
On August 28, 2026, following a three-day trial, a Madison County Circuit Court 1 jury found Nathaniel Lange guilty as charged of one count of Child Molesting, a Level 4 felony. Following the jury's verdict, Judge Angela Warner Sims remanded Lange to the Madison County Jail and set sentencing for Monday, October 5, 2026, at 10:00 am. 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 Dan Kopp and Jon Jones. The case was investigated by Officer Jason Girt of the Edgewood Police Department.

Matthew Deprez Convicted of Child Molesting

August 21, 2026
On Friday, August 21, 2026, a Madison County Circuit Court IV jury found Matthew Deprez (41 of Elwood) guilty of two counts of Child Molest as Level 4 felonies. Following the jury's verdict, Judge David Happe remanded Deprez into the custody of the Madison County Sheriff's Department and scheduled his sentencing for September 22, 2026, where he faces a possible sentence of 2-24 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.

Sean Wheatley Sentenced to 16 Years for Level 4 Child Molesting Convictions

August 10, 2026
On August 10, 2026, Judge Angela Warner Sims sentenced Sean Wheatley (29 of Greenfield) to sixteen (16) years with eight (8) years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction followed by eight (8) years of formal probation. In July, a Madison County Circuit Court 1 jury found Wheatley guilty of two counts of Child Molesting, as Level 4 felonies. Under Indiana law, a Level 4 felony carries a possible sentence of two (2) years to twelve (12) years.  The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutor Dan Kopp and Certified Legal Intern Aleyah McCorkle. The case was investigated by Lt. Sean Waterman of the Ingalls Police Department.
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