Aug. 11, 2026

7th Circuit Court of Appeals
USA v. Johntavis Matlock
No. 23-3374

Appeal from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Judge Matthew P. Brookman. Before Circuit Judges Sykes, Hamilton and Pryor. The court affirms Matlock’s conviction for distributing a controlled substance resulting in serious bodily injury. Matlock argued that the evidence was insufficient to establish that the heroin he supplied was a “but-for” cause of a friend’s overdose, pointing to the presence of other drugs and the timing of events. The court found that the jury had enough evidence to connect Matlock’s actions to the serious bodily injury sustained by Wiley, thus upholding the conviction. Judge Pryor authored the opinion. Judges Sykes and Hamilton concurred.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Earl E. Myers, Jr. v. State of Indiana
No. 25A-CR-2466

Appeal from the Kosciusko Superior Court, Judge Karin A. McGrath. Earl E. Myers, Jr. appeals his conviction for Level 1 and Level 4 felony child molesting, asserting that the trial court erred in admitting an exhibit regarding the protected person statute and that his sentence was inappropriate. The court concluded that Myers invited any error regarding the exhibit’s admission, as he had no objection at trial. Additionally, it found his sentence of 48 years appropriate given the gravity of the offenses and his character, noting his lack of remorse and the victim’s vulnerability. The trial court’s judgment was affirmed. Senior Judge Robb authored the opinion, with Judges Bailey and May concurring. Appellant’s attorney: Elizabeth A. Deckard, Bloom Gates Shipman & Whiteleather LLP, Columbia City. Appellee’s attorney: Office of the Indiana Attorney General.

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