Jason DeWayne Smith Sentenced to 52.5 Years for Dealing Resulting in Death

August 16, 2024

On August 14th, 2024, Judge Mark Dudley sentenced Jason DeWayne Smith to a total of 52.5 years at the Indiana Department of Correction. A month prior, on July 17th, a jury found Smith guilty following a trial where he was convicted of Dealing in a Narcotic Drug Resulting in Death, a Level 1 felony, and of being a Habitual Offender.  Smith received a sentence of 35 years for the dealing conviction enhanced by an additional 17.5 years as a Habitual Offender.


On November 3, 2019, police discovered Melinda Chanley had died from an overdose of heroin and fentanyl in Anderson.  An investigation by the Madison County Drug Task Force revealed a dealer by the name of “Freaky” had supplied her with the narcotics.  “Freaky” was learned to be Jason D. Smith.   Over the next several months, law enforcement discovered two additional victims with ties to Smith which included both an adult and an infant who had survived overdoses from opiates.


Following the jury's verdict, Chief Deputy Andrew Hanna commended the work of Sgt. Keith Gaskill and the entire Madison County Drug Task Force.  "Abusing illegal drugs has never been more dangerous than it is today.  We're in the midst of a plague of fentanyl and drug dealers know full well the risk they're taking but choose to prey on people for profit anyway.  Our office is committed to holding  drug dealers accountable and removing them from our community for as long as possible."

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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