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.

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.

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.

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.

On July 30, 2026, Judge David Happe sentenced Rashawn Samuels (19 of Anderson) to an aggregate sentence of 125 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. In June 2026, Samuels was found guilty following a joint trial with co-defendant Jo'Majze Larry of the following offenses related to the February 2, 2025, shooting death of 26-year-old Dayla Swain outside Sonny Ray's in Anderson: Count I: Aiding, Inducing, or Causing Murder, a felony; Count II: Attempted Murder, a Level 1 felony; Count III: Conspiracy to Commit Murder, a Level 2 felony; and Count IV: Criminal Organization Activity, a Level 5 felony. Following the jury's verdict, Samuels admitted to the Criminal Organization Enhancement. At sentencing, Judge Happe imposed a sentence of 62.5 years for Murder enhanced by an additional 62.5 years for the Criminal Organization Enhancement for an aggregate sentence of 125 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. 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.

O n July 29, 2026, Judge David Happe sentenced Jo'Majze Larry (15 of Anderson) to an aggregate sentence of 100 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. In June 2026, Larry was found guilty following a joint trial with co-defendant Rashawn Samuels of the following offenses related to the February 2, 2025, shooting death of 26-year-old Dayla Swain outside 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: Criminal Organization Activity, a Level 5 felony; and Count V: Dangerous Possession of a Firearm, a Class A misdemeanor. Following the jury's verdict, Larry admitted to the Criminal Organization Enhancement. At sentencing, Judge Happe imposed a sentence of 50 years for Murder enhanced by an additional 50 years for the Criminal Organization Enhancement for an aggregate sentence of 100 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. Under Indiana law, the criminal organization enhancement is designed to address crimes committed by individuals acting as part of an organized criminal enterprise rather than as isolated offenders. Indiana law recognizes that criminal organizations can pose a greater threat to public safety because they coordinate criminal activity, recruit others to participate in crime, and often commit offenses for financial gain or to further the goals of the organization. To seek this enhancement, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant knowingly or intentionally committed a qualifying offense while acting in association with a criminal organization. A "criminal organization" is generally defined as a group of three or more persons that has as one of its primary purposes the commission of one or more criminal offenses and whose members engage in a pattern of criminal activity. Because the defendant in this case was under the age of 18 at the time the murder was committed, Indiana law provides a unique opportunity to seek judicial review of the sentence after a significant period of incarceration. Under Indiana Code 35-38-1-17(n), an individual sentenced for murder committed while they were a juvenile may file an additional petition for sentence modification without the consent of the prosecuting attorney after serving at least 20 years of the sentence. The 20-year period is based on actual time served and does not include any credit time earned for good behavior or educational programs. It is important to note that this statute does not automatically reduce or shorten the defendant's sentence, nor does it guarantee release after 20 years. Rather, it simply permits the defendant to ask the sentencing court to consider modifying th e sentence. At any such hearing, the prosecutor's office has the opportunity to oppose the request, victims and their families have the right to be notified and heard, and the judge retains complete discretion to grant or deny the petition after considering all relevant facts and circumstances. Larry's co-defendant, Rashawn Samuels, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 30, 2026 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.

On July 28, 2026, Judge Angela Warner Sims sentenced Donavan Harris (20 of Anderson) to a total of 60 years for the 2023 Murder of 15-year-old Jullian Craig. Judge Sims ordered 50 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction followed by 5 years suspended to formal probation and an additional 5 years suspended to informal probation. On June 3, 2026, a Madison County Circuit Court 1 jury found Harris guilty of: Count I: Murder, a felony; Count II: Attempted Armed Robbery, a Level 3 felony; and Count III: Criminal Confinement, a level 3 felony. All three counts merged for the purposes of sentencing. Harris' charges stem from the shooting death of 15-year-old Jullian D. Craig, who was killed during the commission of an attempted armed robbery on November 24, 2023. The evidence presented at trial proved that Craig was armed with a handgun lying in the backseat of a vehicle driven by Harris, when the pair lured a subject into the vehicle with the promise of paying a debt owed. During an altercation inside the vehicle, the victim of the attempted robbery shot and killed Craig in self-defense. Under the doctrine of "Felony Murder", when someone commits or attempts to commit certain serious felonies, such as robbery, and a death results during the commission of that crime, the participants can be held responsible for the death. The law recognizes that some crimes are so inherently dangerous that those who choose to commit them should be held accountable for the foreseeable consequences thereof, including the loss of human life. At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Jennifer Haley and Samanthan Green. The case was investigated by Officer Travis Thompson, formerly of the Anderson Police Department, now employed by the Pendleton Police Department. 

On July 27, 2026, Tony Lee Schoettmer (46 of Anderson) was sentenced to 60 years for the 2025 murder of Jim Gaw. On June 24, 2026, Schoettmer pleaded guilty to the following charges: Count I: Murder, a felony; Count II: Murder, a felony; Count III: Robbery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, a Level 2 felony; Count IV: Burglary, a Level 4 felony; Count V: Burglary, a Level 5 felony; Count VI: Theft, a Level 5 felony; Count VII: Theft, a Level 5 felony; Count VIII: Auto Theft, a Level 6 felony; Count IX: Theft, a Class A misdemeanor; and Count X: Invasion of Privacy, a Class A misdemeanor. On July 27, 2026, Judge Angela Warner Sims sentenced Schoettmer to a total sentence of 60 years, of which 50 years will be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction, and 10 years will be suspended to formal probation. The State's case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecutor Jennifer Haley. The case was investigated by Det. Nolan Schaefer of the Anderson Police Department.

Following a three-day trial, a Madison County Circuit Court I jury found Sean Wheatley (29 of Greenfield) guilty of two counts of Child Molesting, as Level 4 felonies. The jury acquitted Wheatley of a third count of Child Molesting and a charge of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor. Following the jury's verdict, Judge Angela Warner Sims remanded Wheatley into the custody of the Madison County Sheriff's Department and set his sentencing for August 10, 2026 at 10:00 am. Wheatley faces a maximum possible sentence of 24 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.

On Thursday, July 9, 2026, Judge David Happe sentenced Kyree Craver (19 of Anderson) to a total sentence of 90 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. Judge Happe imposed a 45 year sentence for Murder enhanced by an additional 45 year sentence for the Criminal Organization Enhancement. Craver was convicted on May 18, 2026, following a five-day trial, of the following offenses: Count 1: Aiding, Inducing, or Causing Murder, a felony; Count 2: Attempted Murder, a Level 1 felony; Count 3: Conspiracy to Commit Murder, a Level 2 felony; Count 4: Dangerous Possession of a Firearm, a Class A misdemeanor; Count 5: Criminal Organization Activity, a Level 5 felony; and Count 6: Criminal Organization Enhancement. Craver's convictions stem from the February 2, 2025, shooting death of 26-year-old Dayla Swain outside of Sonny Ray's in Anderson. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Tyler Piraino and Jesse Miller. The case was investigated by Det. Brett Webb of the Anderson Police Department.

On June 29, 2026, following a six-day jury trial, a Madison County Circuit Court 4 jury found joint co-defendants Rashawn Samuels (19 of Anderson) and Jo'Majze Larry (15 of Anderson) guilty of the following offenses related to the February 2, 2025 shooting death of 26-year-old Dayla Swain outside Sonny Ray's in Anderson: Rashawn Samuels: Count I: Aiding, Inducing, or Causing Murder, a felony; Count II: Attempted Murder, a Level 1 felony; Count III: Conspiracy to Commit Murder, a Level 2 felony; Count IV: Criminal Organization Activity, a Level 5 felony; Jo'Majze Larry: 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: Criminal Organization Activity, a Level 5 felony; and Count V: Dangerous Possession of a Firearm, a Class A misdemeanor. Following the jury's verdict, both Samuels and Larry admitted to the Criminal Organization Enhancement. Judge David Happe set Larry's sentencing for July 29, 2026 at 9:00 am and Samuels' sentencing for July 30, 2026 at 9:00 am each 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.

On Tuesday, June 15, 2026, Judge Angela Warner Sims sentenced Douglas White (58) to a sentence of 32 years, to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. On April 16, 2026, a Madison County Circuit 1 jury found White guilty of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, a Level 4 Felony. Thereafter, White pleaded guilty to the Habitual Offender Sentencing Enhancement. Judge Warner Sims imposed the maximum sentence of 12 years for Sexual Misconduct with a Minor and enhanced the sentence by an additional 20 years for the Habitual Offender Sentencing Enhancement. The State’s case was presented by Deputy Prosecutor Jack Slay and Deputy Prosecutor Matt Savage. The case was investigated by Detective Chris Burton of the Anderson Police Department.

On June 3, 2026, a Madison County Circuit Court 1 jury found Donavan Harris (20 of Anderson) guilty of Count I: Murder, a felony; Count II: Attempted Armed Robbery, a Level 3 felony; and Count III: Criminal Confinement, a level 3 felony. Following the jury's verdict, Judge Angela Warner Sims scheduled Harris' sentencing for July 7, 2026, where he faces a maximum possible sentence of 65 years. Harris' charges stem from the shooting death of 15-year-old Jullian D. Craig, who was killed during the commission of an attempted armed robbery on November 24, 2023. The evidence presented at trial proved that Craig was armed with a handgun lying in the backseat of a vehicle driven by Harris, when the pair lured a subject into the vehicle with the promise of paying a debt owed. During an altercation inside the vehicle, the victim of the attempted robbery shot and killed Craig in self-defense. Under the doctrine of "Felony Murder", when someone commits or attempts to commit certain serious felonies, such as robbery, and a death results during the commission of that crime, the participants can be held responsible for the death. The law recognizes that some crimes are so inherently dangerous that those who choose to commit them should be held accountable for the foreseeable consequences thereof, including the loss of human life. At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Jennifer Haley and Samanthan Green. The case was investigated by Officer Travis Thompson, formerly of the Anderson Police Department, now employed by the Pendleton Police Department.

On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Judge David Happe sentenced Dayqawn Peoples (33 of Anderson) to an aggregate sentence of 75 years. On April 17, 2026, a Madison County Circuit 4 jury found Peoples 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. Judge Happe imposed a sentence of 40 years for Dealing in a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, a Level 1 felony, 25 years for Dealing in a Narcotic Drug, a Level 2 felony, and 10 years for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, a Level 4 felony, all to be served consecutively at the Indiana Department of Correction for a total aggregate sentence of 75 years. The charges stem from the January 22, 2025 overdose death of Morgan Whetsel. As part of the investigation, police executed a search warrant at Peoples' residence and located approximately two pounds of Heroin and a 45 caliber Glock handgun with a loaded high capacity drum magazine. The investigation also revealed evidence that Peoples had previously distributed over four pounds of Heroin. At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Jesse Miller and Tyler Piraino. The case was investigated by Detective Lance Blossom of the Anderson Police Department. Peoples criminal history was considered as an aggravator at sentencing, which includes the following convictions: 2012: Possession of Cocaine, a Class B felony; 2012: Carrying a Handgun Without a License, a Class A misdemeanor; 2013: Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor; 2013: Possession of Marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor; 2013: Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class D felony; 2013: Dealing in Cocaine, a Class B felony; 2013: Armed Robbery, a Class B felony; 2013: Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor; 2014: Dealing in Cocaine, a Class B felony; 2014: Dealing in Cocaine, a Class B felony; and 2014: Dealing in Cocaine, a Class B felony.

On Monday, May 18, 2026, following a five-day trial, a Madison County Circuit Court 4 jury found Kyree Craver (19 of Anderson) guilty of the following offenses: Count 1: Aiding, Inducing, or Causing Murder, a felony; Count 2: Attempted Murder, a Level 1 felony; Count 3: Conspiracy to Commit Murder, a Level 2 felony; Count 4: Dangerous Possession of a Firearm, a Class A misdemeanor; Count 5: Criminal Organization Activity, a Level 5 felony; and Count 6: Criminal Organization Enhancement. Craver's charges stem from the February 2, 2025 shooting death of 26-year-old Dayla Swain outside of Sonny Ray's in Anderson. Judge David Happe set Craver's sentencing for June 23, 2026, where he faces a maximum possible sentence of 176 years. The case was investigated by Det. Brett Webb of the Anderson Police Department. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Tyler Piraino and Jesse Miller.

On Tuesday, May 7, 2026, Judge David Happe sentenced Andres Guajardo to 46 years with 40 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction and 6 years suspended to formal probation. On March 25, 2026, Andres Guajardo pleaded guilty as charged to the following offenses: Count 1: Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony; Count 2: Child Molesting, a Level 4 felony; Count 3: Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, a Level 4 felony; Count 4: Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, a Level 5 felony; and Count 5: Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony. Judge Happe also found Guajardo to be a Sexually Violent Predator and ordered him to register as a Sex Offender for life. The case was investigated Nolan Schaefer of the Anderson Police Department. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutor Dan Kopp.

On Monday, May 18, 2026, Judge Angela Warner Sims sentenced Marcus Randall (48 of Anderson) to 43 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. On April 6, 2026, Randall pleaded guilty to the following offenses: Count 1: Dealing in Cocaine, a Level 2 felony; Count 2: Dealing in Cocaine, a Level 2 felony; Count 3: Dealing in Cocaine, a Level 2 felony; Count 4: Dealing in Narcotic Drug, a Level 2 felony; Count 5: Possession of Cocaine, a Level 6 felony; and Count 6: Habitual Offender Enhancement. On Monday, May 18, 2026, Randall was sentenced to 25 years for Counts 1-5 enhanced by an additional 15 years for the Habitual Offender Enhancement for a total sentence of 40 years to be executed to the Indiana Department of Correction. The case was investigated by Detective Chris Frazier of the Anderson Police Depar tment's Narcotics Unit. The State's case was investigated by Deputy Prosecutor Jennifer Haley.

On Monday, May 18, 2026, Judge Angela Warner Sims sentenced Marquan Robinson (30 of Anderson) to 21 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. On March 16, 2026, Robinson pleaded guilty under 48C01-2509-F3-002675 to: Count 1: Possession of a Narcotic Drug, a Level 3 Felony; Count 2: Possession of Methamphetamine, a Level 3 Felony; Count 3: Intimidation, a Level 5 Felony; Count 4: Criminal Recklessness, a Level 6 Felony; Count 5: Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person, a Class A Misdemeanor; and Count 6: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, a Level 4 Felony. And, under 48C01-2601-F5-000041 Robinson pleaded guilty to Count 1: Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, a Level 5 felony. On May 18, 2026, Robinson received an aggregate sentence of 21 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. 48C01-2509-F3-002675 was investigated by Deputy Samir Khan of the Madison County Sheriff's Department and 48C01-2601-F5-000041 was investigated by Officer Zachary Saylor of the Anderson Police Department. The State's cases were presented by Deputy Prosecutor Jennifer Haley.

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.