Indianapolis man sentenced to 22 years in prison for 3 violent crimes

An Indianapolis man has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to three violent crimes, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana.

In addition to his federal prison sentence, 55-year-old George Landy will serve three years of supervised release.

The sentence stems from violent acts Landy committed in October 2022, according to a press release from the attorney’s office.

On Oct. 16, 2022, Landy allegedly robbed a Family Dollar store on East 38th Street in Indianapolis using a semiautomatic handgun. The clerk working at the time was forced to give Landy $200, according to court documents.

In the early hours of Oct. 23, 2022, Landy tried to rob a McDonald’s on West 38th Street using a firearm, according to court documents. Landy allegedly fired a shot toward a drive-thru worker and tried to open the cash register himself but was unable to. He fired another shot into the restaurant before leaving, according to court documents.

The next day, on Oct. 24, 2022, Landy abducted a woman at gunpoint under the guise of asking her on a date, according to the press release. He allegedly forced the woman into the passenger seat of her car and drove them to two banks, where he forced her to withdraw $500.

He eventually left the woman at a bus station downtown before stealing her wedding ring, debit card, driver’s license and other jewelry in addition to her car, according to court documents.

At the time of these crimes, Landy was on probation for felony auto theft, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. He had 22 prior convictions, including 12 felonies.

“These were brazen, violent robberies that evinced a blatant disregard for human life and the safety of our community,” said Tom Wheeler, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “These terrifying crimes could easily have resulted in tragedy, and the emotional toll inflicted on innocent people simply going about their daily routines is profound. Today’s sentence affirms that individuals who commit violent acts in our community will be held fully accountable.”