Indiana Casino Winner Robber Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison

A man suspected of an attack against an elderly casino winner in Indiana was sentenced earlier this week. The case involved a person with the initials M.J.B., 59, who was accused of robbing and harming an 84-year-old man from Franklin.

The 59-year-old, accused of the violent crime, initially rejected the claim that he robbed the elderly man. Later on, he pleaded guilty to robbery with a bodily injury. The crime is recognized as a Level 3 felony which carries a penalty of imprisonment and a potential fine. During the trial against the alleged robber, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Kubacki uncovered evidence that pointed to a similar robbery case involving the same suspect dating back to 2004, as reported by FOX59. Similarly to the most recent violent crime, an elderly man was attacked.

Lance Hamner, Johnson County Prosecutor, spoke about the defendant acknowledging that he is not only a thief, coward but also a “sadistic bully.” He said that the accused not only robbed the elderly victim but also kicked him while he was lying helpless on the ground.

The 59-year-old suspect was arrested early in February. This week, the man was convicted by a judge to 14 years in prison.

According to Hamner, the latest violent case represents another example of culprits from other counties arriving in Johnson County to “prey on our people.” The prosecutor said: “I’m sure he now realizes he tried this in the wrong county. He’s leaving today in a sheriff’s van to go spend more than a decade in a 7′ X 10′ steel cage. I hope he tells his friends.”

A Violent Robbery over $6,000

The robbery case dates back to February 9, 2023. At the time, the 84-year-old victim was coming home from Shelbyville’s Horseshoe Casino. The same night, the elderly person won approximately $6,000. Police were called by the victim, who was attacked in his driveway.

The attacker, later identified as the 59-year-old who was recently convicted, spoke to the victim before the attack and asked him for directions. At the moment of the attack, the robber hit the victim from behind, pushing him to the ground. Once on the ground, the elderly person was kicked a number of times.

The attacker also took the money from the 84-year-old victim before fleeing with his car. Law enforcement investigated the case and was able to find the suspect’s car with the help of Flock technology. The description provided by the victim matched the description of the suspect and his car which ultimately led to his arrest and recent sentencing.