On April 17, 2026, a Madison County Circuit 4 jury found Daqawn Peoples (33 of Anderson) guilty of Dealing in a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, a Level 1 felony, Dealing in a Narcotic Drug, a Level 2 felony, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, a Level 4 felony. The charges stem from the January 22, 2025 overdose death of Morgan Whetsel. Judge David Happe set Peoples' sentencing for June 2, 2026, at 1:30 pm where he faces a maximum possible sentence of 52 years. At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Tyler Piraino and Jesse Miller. The State's case was investigated by Det. Lance Blossom of the Anderson Police Department.

On April 15, 2026, following a two-day trial, a Madison County Circuit I jury found Douglas Nathan White, Jr. (57 of Anderson) guilty of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, a Level 4 felony. Following the jury's verdict, White admitted to being a Habitual Offender (a sentencing enhancement based on the defendant's criminal history that adds an additional 6-20 years to any sentence). Judge Angela Warner Sims set White's sentencing for June 15, 2026, where he faces a maximum possible sentence of 32 years. At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Jack Slay and Matt Savage. The case was investigated by Sgt. Chris Burton of the Anderson Police Department.

On April 9, 2026, following a two-day trial, a Madison County Circuit Court IV jury found Jason Bailey (56 of Anderson) guilty of the following: Count I: Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony; Count II: Dealing in Cocaine, a Level 2 felony; Count III: Unlawful Possession of a Syringe, a Level 6 felony; Count IV: Possession of a Syringe, a Class C misdemeanor. Following the jury's verdict, Judge David Happe remanded Bailey into the custody of the Madison County Sheriff's Department. Bailey's sentencing was scheduled for May 12, 2026, where he faces a maximum sentence of 30 years. At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutor Grainne Kao and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Hanna. The case was investigated by Deputy John Vieke of the Madison County Sheriff's Department.

On March 24, 2026, Judge David Happe sentenced Tremmeric Love (23 of Anderson) to 38 years for a January 2025 shooting spree which left one person injured. Judge Happe ordered 30 years of the sentence to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction followed by 8 years of probation. On February 17, 2026, Love pleaded guilty to the following offenses: Count I: Aggravated Battery, a Level 3 felony; Count II: Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, a Level 5 felony; C ount III: Criminal Recklessness, a Level 6 felony; Count IV: Criminal Recklessness, a Level 5 felony; Count V: Criminal Recklessness, a Level 6 felony; Count VI: Criminal Recklessness, a Level 6 felony; Count VII: Criminal Recklessness, a Level 6 felony; Count VIII: Criminal Recklessness, a Level 6 felony; Count IX: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, a Level 4 felony; and Count X: Firearm Enhancement. An investigation conducted by the Anderson Police Department revealed the following information which led to Love's charges in this case: On January 13, 2025, Love was released from the Miami Correctional Facility to parole around 11:00 am. Within a matter of hours, Love messaged another person requesting to purchase a handgun. The following day, January 14, 2025, around 8:15 pm, while driving on 38th Street in Anderson, Love fired at least 8 rounds from a handgun at a passing vehicle, which was occupied by two juvenile males unknown to Love, striking one male juvenile once in the abdomen. Police were dispatched to the scene and the victim was transported to the hospital where he received treatment and has since made a full recovery. This incident serves as the basis for Counts I-III, VIII, and X. Around 9:15 pm on the same day, surveillance footage from multiple businesses around the intersection of Nichol and Madison Ave. show the vehicle in which Love was driving slow down and fire 4-5 rounds at a person walking in a field across from the Milk Barn gas station. The victim never reported this incident and remains unidentified. This incident serves as the basis for Count IV. Approximately 10 minutes later, Love returns to the same intersection and fires 8-9 rounds at a vehicle parked at a gas pump which caused two male occupants of the vehicle to flee however neither were injured. Again, these persons were unknown to Love. This incident serves as the bases for Counts V-VII. On January 15, 2025, the Anderson Police Department determined the likely identity of the shooter as Tremmeric Love and obtained and executed a series of search warrants. The Anderson Police Department located Love at a residence on Chesterfield Drive where he was found in possession of a Ruger Security 9 mm handgun. Laboratory testing later confirmed the firearm matched the ballistics from the three separate shooting incidents on January 14, 2025. Possession of the firearm served as the basis for Count IX. Tremmeric Love is considered a Serious Violent Felon under Indiana law due to a 2023 conviction for Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, a Level 5 felony, for which he was released from prison the day before his January 2025 shooting spree. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutor Tyler Piraino. The case was investigated by Det. Nolan Schaefer of the Anderson Police Department.

On March 18, 2026, the Indiana Court of Appeals handed down two decisions affirming the convictions and sentences of Demarcus Davis and Roger Rodriguez for the 2023 Murder of Timothy Kates. Davis and Rodriguez were both convicted of Murder, a felony, Felony Murder, a felony, and Armed Robbery, a Level 3 felony, following a joint trial in Madison County Circuit Court 1 which concluded on January 10, 2025. Following the trial, both Davis and Rodriguez admitted to being Habitual Offenders. At sentencing, the State presented evidence from Facebook messages which were inadmissible at trial that in the months prior to the murder, Davis and Rodriguez were engaged in purchasing and selling various kinds of narcotics and several firearms. Timiah Kates, the daughter of Timothy Kates, delivered a statement regarding her father, his positive impact on his family and the people around him, as well what the loss has meant for her and her younger siblings. Judge Sims imposed a maximum sentence for Murder of 65 years and a maximum sentence of 16 years for Armed Robbery to be served consecutively for both Davis and Rodriguez. Each Murder conviction was enhanced by an additional 15 years due to their criminal history as Habitual Offenders for a total of 96 years each for both Davis and Rodriguez, all to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. Demarcus Davis received an additional sanction for a violation on an existing case of an additional 4 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction for a total sentence of 100 years. At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutor Jennifer Haley and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Hanna. The case was investigated by Detective Travis Thompson of the Anderson Police Department. On appeal, Davis and Rodriguez advanced several different arguments why their convictions should be reversed or their sentences reduced. In all instances, the Indiana Court of Appeals rejected their arguments and affirmed their convictions and their sentences.

On March 23, 2026, Judge Angela Warner Sims sentenced Jeramie Wayne Murdock (53 of Anderson) to thirty-three (33) years in the Indiana Department of Correction following his conviction on multiple felony charges involving firearms and methamphetamine. On February 12, 2026, a Madison County Circuit Court I jury found Murdock guilty of two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, both Level 4 felonies, as well as Possession of Methamphetamine, a Level 5 felony, and Possession of Paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor. The Court imposed consecutive sentences of ten (10) years on each firearm count and enhanced the sentence by an additional thirteen (13) years due to Murdock’s habitual offender status, resulting in a total sentence of thirty-three (33) years. The convictions stem from a June 1, 2022, incident in which officers with the Anderson Police Department located Murdock, who was wanted on two warrants, attempting to hide in a camper on a property on Mounds Road. After taking Murdock into custody, officers recovered two firearms, methamphetamine, and a pipe used to smoke methamphetamine from inside the camper. One firearm and the pipe were found in the bed where Murdock had been hiding. A second firearm was located on the chair of the dining table near the foot of the bed, and methamphetamine was found on a nearby counter. Subsequent forensic testing confirmed the presence of Murdock’s DNA on both firearms. Murdock is a serious violent felon prohibited from possessing firearms under Indiana law due to his 2012 conviction for Dealing in Methamphetamine as a Class B felony. The State’s case at trial and sentencing was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Jack Slay and Gina Koorsen. The case was investigated by Sergeant Gordon Corner of the Anderson Police Department.

On February 24, 2026, Judge David Happe sentenced Mario Campos-Ordonez (34 of Anderson) to ninety (90) years executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. Judge Happe also found that Campos-Ordonez is a sexually violent predator and a credit-restricted felon so he will be required to serve at least 85% of his sentence in prison. On January 15, 2026, following a three-day trial, a Madison County Circuit Court IV jury found Campos-Ordonez guilty of the following offenses: Count I: Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony; Count II: Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony; Count III: Child Molesting, a Level 4 felony; Count IV: Child Molesting a Level 4 felony; Count V: Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, a Level 4 felony; and Count VI: Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, a Level 5 felony. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Dan Kopp and Tyler Piraino. The case was investigated by Detective Courtney Ginder of the Anderson Police Department.

On February 24, 2026, Judge David Happe sentenced John Rady (63 of Elwood) to 60 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. Judge Happe also found that Rady is a sexually violent predator and will be required to register as a sex offender for life. On January 23, 2026, following a three-day trial, a Madison County Circuit Court 4 jury found Rady guilty of Count I: Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony; Count II: Child Molesting, a Level 4 felony, and Count III: Intimidation, a Level 6 felony. Judge Happe sentenced Rady to serve 48 years on Count I: Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony; 10 years on Count II: Child Molesting, a Level 4 felony; and 2 years on Count III: Intimidation, a Level 6 felony, for an aggregate sentence of 60 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Tyler Piraino and Matt Savage. The case was investigated by Detective Ben Gosnell of the Elwood Police Department.

On February 12, 2026, following a two-day trial, a Madison County Circuit I jury found Jeramie Murdock (53 of Anderson) guilty of the following: Count I: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, a Level 4 felony; Count II: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, a Level 4 felony; Count III: Possession of Methamphetamine, a Level 5 felony; and Count IV: Possession of Paraphernalia, a Class C Misdemeanor. Murdock admitted to being a Habitual Offender (a sentencing enhancement that adds an additional 6-20 years to any sentence). Murdock was remanded into the custody of the Madison County Sheriff's Department and Judge Angela Warner Sims set sentencing for March 23, 2026, at 8:30 am where Murdock faces a maximum sentence of 44 years. At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Jack Slay and Gina Koorsen. The case was investigated by Sgt. Gordon Corner of the Anderson Police Department. 

On January 29, 2026, Judge David Happe sentenced Anthony Hoffa (40 of Lapel) to forty (40) years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. Judge Happe found Hoffa to be a sexually violent predator and a credit-restricted felon, so Hoffa will have to serve at least 85% of his sentence in prison. Judge Happe also ordered Hoffa to register as a sex offender for life. On December 16, 2025, Anthony Hoffa pleaded guilty as charged to four counts: Count I, Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony; Count II, Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony; Count III, Child Molesting, a Level 4 felony; and Count IV, Child Molesting, a Level 4 felony. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutor Dan Kopp. The case was investigated by Chief Kelly Naselroad of the Lapel Police Department. 

On January 29, 2026, Judge Mark Dudley sentenced Kevin Germain, Jr. (43 of Anderson) to fifty (50) years to be executed the Indiana Department of Correction. Judge Dudley also found that Germain is a sexually violent predator and a credit-restricted felon, so Germain will be required to serve at least 85% of his sentence in prison, and he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life. On November 19, 2025, Germain pleaded guilty as charged to the following offenses: Count I, Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony; Count II, Child Molesting a Level 1 felony; Count III, Child Molesting, a Level 4 felony; Count IV, Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony; Count V, Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony; Count VI, Child Molesting, a Level 4 felony; Count VII, Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, a Level 4 felony; Count VIII, Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, a Level 4 felony; and Count IX, Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, a Level 5 felony. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutor Dan Kopp. The case was investigated by Det. Courtney Skinner of the Anderson Police Department.

On January 23, 2026, following a three-day trial, a Madison County Circuit IV jury found John Rady (63 of Elwood) guilty of Count I: Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony; Count II: Child Molesting, a Level 4 felony, and Count III: Intimidation, a Level 6 felony. Judge David Happe ordered Rady to be remanded into the custody of the Madison County Sheriff's Department and set his sentencing for February 24, 2026, where he faces a sentence of 20-54.5 years. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Tyler Piraino and Matt Savage. The case was investigated by Detective Ben Gosnell of the Elwood Police Department.

Following a three-day trial, a Madison County Circuit IV jury found Mario Campos-Ordonez guilty of the following offenses: Count I: Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony; Count II: Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony; Count III: Child Molesting, a Level 4 felony; Count IV: Child Molesting a Level 4 felony; Count V: Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, a Level 4 felony; and Count VI: Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, a Level 5 felony. Judge David Happe ordered Campos-Ordonez to be remanded into the custody of the Madison County Sheriff's Department and set his sentencing for February 24, 2026, at 1:30 pm where he faces a sentence of 20-136 years. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Dan Kopp and Tyler Piraino. The case was investigated by Detective Courtney Ginder of the Anderson Police Department.

During her State of the Judiciary address on January 14, 2026, to a joint session of the Indiana General Assembly, Chief Justice Loretta Rush of the Indiana Supreme Court recognized Prosecutor Rodney Cummings, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Hanna, and Investigator Mitch Carroll for the Madison County Prosecutor’s Office’s work on an Educational Neglect Initiative and the real progress it’s making for kids and schools across Madison County. Educational neglect isn’t just a school issue. When students miss too much class, it quickly becomes a public safety issue putting kids at greater risk of falling behind, becoming involved in the criminal justice system, and losing opportunities that can change the trajectory of their lives. Our goal has never been punishment. It’s about support and accountability. It’s about identifying chronic absences early, partnering with schools and community resources, working with families to remove barriers, and only filing criminal charges when necessary to make sure every child gets the education they deserve. We’re grateful to Chief Justice Rush for recognizing this work on a statewide stage and we’re especially grateful to our deputy prosecutors, investigators, teachers, councilors, school administrators, and service providers who are doing the hard work of reducing truancy each and every day. Chief Justice Rush offered the following remarks:  "Our journey continues to Madison County where Prosecutor Rodney Cummings, just last year, handled 2,000 felonies, 4,000 misdemeanors, 5,000 traffic citations, 500 juvenile delinquency petitions, and hundreds of other cases. He’s proud of his reputation as being tough on crime. So with so much going on, why would he dedicate limited resources to preventing truancy? Because he knows kids who don’t graduate high school are eight times more likely to get locked up as adults. Often 80% of incarcerated adults are high school dropouts. And each dropout costs taxpayers an estimated $300,000 over a lifetime in lost taxes, incarceration, and services. Prosecutor Cummings, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Hanna, and Investigator Mitch Carroll are leading a remarkable absenteeism program. It connects families with counseling, mental health support, and intervention planning. As a child from a challenging background, including time in foster care and having attended 27 schools, Prosecutor Cummings knows firsthand that education opens doors. His program ensures that children have a chance to learn, grow, and succeed. Having spent many years on the juvenile bench in Tippecanoe County, I also believe combating truancy is critical. Guess why my truancy court started at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday mornings? To get families out of court and back to work and school. It works. And in Madison County, their program is resulting in more kids in the classroom. Thank you, Prosecutor Cummings." You can watch the full State of the Judiciary here: https://youtu.be/TaFvMRE0qRQ?si=TIJMZN8n38Ah5Aq6

On January 13, 2026, Alec Hagge (31 of Pendleton) pleaded guilty without the benefit of any plea agreement to the following offenses: Count I: Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony; Count II: Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony; Count III: Child Exploitation, a Level 4 felony; Count IV: Possession of Child Sex Abuse Material, a Level 5 felony; and Count V: Possession of Child Sex Abuse Material, a Level 5 felony. A sentencing hearing was conducted on the same date. Judge Andrew Hopper sentenced Hegge to an aggregate sentence of 91 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. The Court also found Hegge to be a Sexually Violent Predator and a Credit-Restricted Felon (meaning he'll be required to serve at least 85% of his sentence). The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutor Dan Kopp. The case was investigated by Detective Chris Borgmann of the Greenfield Police Department assigned to the Hamilton County Metro ICAC Task Force.

On January 12, 2026, Judge Angela Warner Sims sentenced Shelby Langford (24 of Anderson) and Nicolas Arnett (29 of Anderson) to a combined 78 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction for the September 2024 death of their seventeen-month-old child, Kamryn Arnett. A Madison County Circuit 1 jury found Shelby Langford and Nicolas Arnett guilty of Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Catastrophic Injury and/or Death, as Level 1 felonies, following joint trial which concluded on December 5, 2025. Langford received a 38-year sentence and Arnett received a 40-year sentence, the maximum sentence allowable by law. 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 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.