Rejon Smith Convicted of Murder and Criminal Organization Enhancement

October 6, 2026

Following a six-day trial, a Madison County Circuit Court II jury found Rejon Smith (18 of Centralia, Illinois) guilty of the following offenses related to the February 2, 2025 shooting death of 26-year-old Dayla Swain outside of 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: Dangerous Possession of a Firearm, a Class A misdemeanor; and

Count V: Criminal Organization Activity.


Following the jury's verdict in the initial phase of the trial, additional evidence was presented, and the jury also found Smith guilty of the Criminal Organization Enhancement.


Judge David Happe set Smith's sentencing for November 10, 2026 at 8:30 am 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.


So far, Smith is the 5th of 9 charged defendants for two separate, but related, murders: 



Charged with the death of Jullian Craig:


Donavan Harris (sentenced to 60 years)


Charged with the death of Dayla Swain: 


Completed: 

Rashawn Darrius Samuels (sentenced to 125 years)

Jo'Majze Dayshon Larry (sentenced to 100 years)

Kyree M. Craver (sentenced to 90 years)

Rejon Smith (sentencing scheduled for 11/10/26)


Remaining: 

Javeayon Markeese Johnson (jury trial scheduled 1/11/27)

Javeaian Michael Johnson (jury trial scheduled 1/11/27)

Ja'Brawll Thomas (jury trial scheduled 11/13/26)

Geno Gykarius Moffett (remains wanted on warrant)


Madison County Prosecutor's Office News

Matthew Deprez Sentenced to 20 Years for Level 4 Child Molesting Convictions

September 18, 2026
On Friday, September 18, 2026, Judge David Happe sentenced Matthew Deprez (41 of Elwood) to an aggregate sentence of twenty (20) years with seventeen (17) years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction and three (3) years suspended to Reporting Probation. The Court also ordered Deprez to register as a sex offender for life and found Deprez to be a sexually violent predator. On August 21, 2026, a Madison County Circuit Court IV jury found Deprez guilty of two counts of Child Molest as Level 4 felonies. 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 Grainne Kao and Tyler Piraino. The case was investigated by Det. Caitlin Morency of the Madison County Sheriff's Department.

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.
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