MCPO Recognized During Indiana's State of the Judiciary

January 15, 2026

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


Madison County Prosecutor's Office News

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.

Rashawn Samuels Sentenced to 125 Years for Murder and Criminal Organization Enhancement

July 30, 2026
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.
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