Joel Meyer Convicted of Charges Including Attempted Murder

October 3, 2024

Following a five-day bench trial before Judge Angela Warner Sims, Joel Meyer was found guilty of Attempted Murder, a Level 1 felony, Aggravated Battery, a Level 3 felony, and Criminal Confinement, a Level 3 felony.  Judge Sims set sentencing for November 26, 2024, at 9:00 am where Meyer faces a maximum possible sentence of 56 years. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Jennifer Haley and Jesse Miller. The case was investigated by Officer Scott Bertram of the Pendleton Police Department.

 

On September 17 , 2022, officers of the Pendleton Police Department responded to an address on Carrick Glen Blvd., due to a report of a man lying in the driveway with a significant injury. By the time officers arrived, the man was gone, and officers eventually made contact with Joel Meyer at the back door. Meyer refused to allow officers entry to the residence and also refused to allow officers to check on Meyer's then girlfriend who officers suspected was inside the residence. Officers made entry to conduct a welfare check and located Meyer laying on the floor with significant cuts to both arms and located his girlfriend laying in a bed with extensive injuries to her face, neck, arms, shoulder, and wrists. While providing medical care, officers noticed the smell of natural gas and found that the gas stovetop was left running without being ignited. 

 

Meyer’s girlfriend had a pacemaker, and she sustained significant injuries near the pacemaker leads, losing her medical alert bracelet in the struggle. Meyer threatened suicide on several prior occasions if she were ever to leave him, and there was evidence of a significant altercation and battery after Meyer’s self-inflicted wounds. At trial Meyer claimed his girlfriend’s wounds were the result of a fall or falls. A search warrant of Meyer's phone located several videos of Meyer battering his girlfriend, pushing her down, telling her he is a god, and making her crawl on her knees to apologize. 

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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