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

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.

Jeremy Hinson Sentenced to 75 Years for Murder and Felony Firearm Enhancement

September 23, 2025
On September 23, 2025, Judge David Happe sentenced Jeremy Hinson (49 of Anderson) to 55 years for the 2024 murder of his wife, Michela Hinson, enhanced by an additional 20 years for the Felony Firearm Enhancement for a total sentence of 75 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Grainne Kao and Tyler Piraino. The case was investigated by Detective Jim Sundheimer of the Madison County Sheriff's Department.

Jeremy Hinson Convicted of Murder and Felony Firearm Enhancement

August 21, 2025
On August 21, 2025, a Madison County Circuit Court 4 jury found Jeremy Hinson (49 of Anderson) guilty of the 2024 murder of his wife, Michela Hinson. The jury also found Hinson guilty of the Felony Firearm Enhancement. Judge David Happe set Hinson's sentencing for September 28, 2025, where he faces a sentence of 50-65 years. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Grainne Kao and Tyler Piraino. The case was investigated by Detective Jim Sundheimer of the Madison County Sheriff's Department.

Wade Turner Jackson, Jr. Sentenced to 30 Years Following Convictions on 11 Counts

August 18, 2025
On Monday, August 18, 2025, Judge Angela Warners Sims sentenced Wade Turner Jackson, Jr., (36 of Anderson) to thirty (30) years with twenty-five (25) years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction and five (5) years suspended to formal probation. Jackson, Jr. was convicted following a three-day jury trial last month of eleven (11) counts: Count I: Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon, a Level 5 felony; Count II: Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun, a Class A misdemeanor; Count III: Invasion of Privacy, a Class A misdemeanor; Count IV: Criminal Mischief, a Class B misdemeanor; Count V: Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun, a Level 5 felony; Count VI: Criminal Recklessness, a Level 6 felony; Count VII: Intimidation, a Level 5 felony; Count VIII: Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun, a Class A misdemeanor; Count IX: Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun, a Level 5 felony; Count X: Possession of Cocaine, a Level 6 felony; Count XI: Dealing in a Schedule I Controlled Substance, a Level 2 felony. At trial, the State’s case was presented by Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Jennifer Haley and Grainne Kao. The case was investigated by Det. Brett Webb of the Anderson Police Department.
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