Joel Meyer Convicted of Charges Including Attempted Murder

On Wednesday, October 27, 2026, a Madison County Circuit Court 3 jury found Malaika Bell (52 of Anderson) guilty of the following offenses: Count 1: Theft, a Level 5 felony; Count 2: Fraud, a Level 5 felony; Count 3: Forgery, a Level 6 felony; Count 4: Obstruction of Justice, a Level 6 felony; Count 5: Obstruction of Justice, a Level 6 felony; and Count 6: Obstruction of Justice, a Level 6 felony. Following the jury's verdict, Judge Andrew Hopper remanded Bell into the custody of the Madison County Sheriff's Department and set sentencing for November 24, 2026 at 8:30 am where Bell faces a maximum possible sentence of 22 years. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Gina Koorsen and Jon Jones. The case was investigated by Detective Travis Thompson of the Anderson Police Department.

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.

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)

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.