MCPO's School Attendance Initiative Highlighted in Several National Media Outlets
September 23, 2024
MCPO' School Attendance Initiative has recently been highlighted by NPR and Fox News
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Hanna and Investigator Mitch Carroll joined Dana Perino on August 28, 2024, to explain the Madison County Prosecutor's Office's School Attendance Initiative. Our office is committed to enforcing Indiana's school attendance laws and holding both parents and students accountable.
You can view the story here:
WFYI reporter Dylan Peers McCoy interviewed Chief Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Hanna about the School Attendance Initiative and joined Investigator Mitch Carroll as he conducted home visits.
You can read the story here:
Madison County Prosecutor's Office News
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
