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

Shelby Langford and Nicolas Arnett Convicted of Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Catastrophic Injury and/or Death

December 7, 2025
On December 5, 2025, following a four-day trial, a Madison County Circuit 1 jury found Shelby Langford (24 of Anderson) and Nicolas Arnett (29 of Anderson) both guilty of a Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Catastrophic Injury and/or Death, as Level 1 felonies. The charges stem from the September 2024 death of their seventeen-month-old child, Kamryn Arnett. Judge Angela Warners Sims set Langford's and Arnett's sentencing for January 12, 2026, where they each face a maximum sentence of 40 years. At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Jennifer Haley and Samantha Green. The case was investigated by Detective Matt Kopp of the Anderson Police Department.

James Phillips Convicted of Attempted Murder, Prisoner Possessing Deadly Weapon, and Habitual Offender

December 7, 2025
On December 4, 2025, following a two-day trial, a Madison County Circuit Court 4 jury found James E. Phillips (47, currently housed at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility) guilty of Count 1: Attempted Murder, a Level 1 Felony, Count 2, Prisoner Possessing Deadly Weapon, a Level 4 Felony, and Count 4: the Habitual Offender Enhancement. These charges stemmed from an October 6, 2023 incident at Pendleton Correctional Facility when Phillips, an inmate, attached Corrections Officer Jacobi Jessie with a knife. Judge David Happe set sentencing on January 9, 2026, at 9:00 am where Phillips faces a sentence of 28-60 years. At trial, the State was represented by Deputy Prosecutors Tyler Piraino and Kylie Yapp. The case was investigated by Detective Anthony Klettheimer of the Indiana State Police. 

Scott Eacret, Jr., Convicted of 7 Counts Including Child Molest

October 30, 2025
On October 30, 2025, following a three-day trial, a Madison County Circuit Court 1 jury found Scott Eacret, Jr. (34 of Orestes) guilty as charged of seven counts: Count I, Child Solicitation, a Level 5 felony; Count II, Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony; Count III, Intimidation, a Level 6 felony; Count IV, Child Molesting, a Level 4 felony; Count V, Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony; Count VI, Intimidation, a Level 6 felony; and Count VII, Possession of Child Pornography, a Level 5 felony. Judge Angela Warner Sims set sentencing on November 24, 2025, at 8:30am where Eacret faces a sentence of 20-103 years. At trial, the State was represented by Deputy Prosecutors Dan Kopp and Kylie Yapp. The case was investigated by Brian Holtzleiter of the Alexandria Police Department.

Courtney Radford Sentenced to 77.5 Years for 2023 Murder

October 22, 2025
On October 22, 2025, Judge Mark Dudley sentenced Courtney Radford (25 of Indianapolis) to a total of 77.5 years for the 2023 murder of Jared Wininger. Radford was convicted after a four-day jury trial of Murder, a felony; Felony Murder, a felony; Robbery Resulting in Bodily Injury, a Level 2 felony; Burglary, a Level 1 felony; Resisting Law Enforcement, a Level 6 felony; and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, a Level 4 felony. Radford was sentenced to the maximum sentence for Murder, 65 years, which merged with the remaining counts for the purposes of sentencing, and 2.5 years for Resisting Law Enforcement, enhanced by an additional 10 years for the Felony Firearm Enhancement for a total, aggregate sentence of 77.5 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Jennifer Haley and Steve Hunt. The case was investigated by Detective Scott Bertram and Officer Jerry Branson of the Pendleton Police Department.

Courtney Radford Convicted of Murder

September 26, 2025
On September 25, 2025, following a four-day jury trial, a Madison County Circuit Court 6 jury found Courtney Radford (25 of Indianapolis) guilty of the 2023 murder of Jared Wininger as well as Robbery Resulting in Bodily Injury, a Level 2 felony; Burglary, a Level 1 felony; Resisting Law Enforcement, a Level 6 felony; and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, a Level 4 felony. Following the jury's verdict, Radford pleaded guilty to the Felony Firearm Enhancement. Judge Mark Dudley set Radford's sentencing for October 17, 2025, where he faces a sentence of 50-115 years. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Jennifer Haley and Steve Hunt. The case was investigated by Detective Scott Bertram of the Pendleton Police Department.
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