Former Hamilton County nonprofit bookkeeper to see prison time for stealing $79K
District Court Chief James Sweeney II imposed the sentence on Brenda Walters, 57, of Nappanee, Indiana, after she pleaded guilty to 10 counts of wire fraud.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
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Man sentenced to federal prison for possession of machine gun amid outdoor NBA Finals crowd
Police say the man, masked and displaying multiple firearms from a backpack, caused a chaotic scene outside a downtown Indianapolis hotel, prompting some people to flee the area in a panic.
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When will the federal judge vacancy be filled in Indiana’s Southern District?
Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson assumed senior status in July. But there has been no nominee announced to fill her vacancy on the district court, and there won’t be one this year.
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Vacancy looms as federal judge heads toward senior status
It’s taken a little longer than expected for the Biden Administration to announce a nominee for the Indiana Southern District Court’s impending vacancy.
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Filling the robes: Nominations still pending for Indiana district, appellate vacancies
Of all the current Indiana judicial nominees, Magistrate Judge Joshua Kolar of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana is the farthest along on his route to fill a vacancy.
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Articles
Crackdown continues on central Indiana drug trafficking, dog-fighting ring
More than a dozen people have already been sentenced for their roles in an illegal gambling and dog-fighting ring, with more awaiting sentencing hearings.
Monroe County sheriff sues AG Rokita, calls new state law unconstitutional
On Wednesday, Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Marté filed a complaint asking a federal court to declare Indiana’s new FAIRNESS Act unconstitutional.
Suit accuses Lebanon-based program of abusing, isolating teens during treatment
A Lebanon business advertised as a faith-based therapy program is accused of abusing several of its teenage residents.
Ex-Ball State employee settles with university president over First Amendment case
A former Ball State University employee who was fired for her comments following political activist Charlie Kirk’s death has settled a lawsuit against the university’s president.
Federal judge sentences individuals for Indy-based drug trafficking operation
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana announced on Tuesday that four individuals were found responsible for distributing at least 55 kilograms of cocaine throughout the state from a business located near the east side of Indianapolis.
Family of disabled child raped by classmate sues district, bus employees for $9.8M
Carmel-based Wagner Reese LLP filed the lawsuit on behalf of the family in federal court Thursday – a day after a Jennings County jury convicted the 16-year-old on four counts of rape.
U.S. District Court dismisses lawsuit by former IU basketball players
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana dismissed a lawsuit filed by several former Indiana University basketball players against the university.
EEOC sues disability support organization for alleged disability discrimination
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit against Indianapolis-based Damar Services Inc., alleging it discriminated against a job applicant because of his deafness.
Indianapolis-based freight service company sues former chief strategy officer
The company accuses the employee of breaching his employment agreement by working for a competitor and soliciting customers and an employee to join him.
District court holds city of Loogootee in contempt in pride festival disagreement
The order stems from an ongoing disagreement between the city and Patoka Valley AIDS Community Action Group Inc., a volunteer group that claimed the city’s previous special events ordinance was unconstitutional.
New citizens look forward to civic life after Carmel naturalization ceremony
The ceremony, administered by Judge James R. Sweeney of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, also served as an early celebration of the U.S.’s 250th birthday.
Indy woman to pay $1M in restitution after using boss’ accounts to pay personal expenses
Kimberly Johnson served as the victim’s personal assistant and was responsible for paying their credit card bills and updating them weekly on their financial balances.
Brownsburg school district to pay $650K to settle former teacher’s religious accommodation claims
John Kluge argued Brownsburg Community School Corp. violated his religious beliefs after it implemented a policy requiring teachers to call transgender students by their preferred names.
ACLU of Indiana sues Ball State leaders over school’s expressive activity policy, student discipline
The two lawsuits stem from an incident in November 2025 in which students gathered in the university’s administration building to leave notes for President Geoffrey Mearns expressing their concerns regarding Ball State’s financial ties to Israel.
US Senate confirms new judge in District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
Indianapolis attorney Justin Olson fills a vacancy that’s been open since July 2024, when Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson took senior status with the court.
Elevance Health seeks more than $1M in breach of contract lawsuit against former executives
Elevance Health is suing four former executives, claiming the group – who worked as senior leadership for the company in Puerto Rico – breached their contracts by leaving Elevance and immediately joining a competitor in similar roles.
Southern District court seeks applications to fill vacancy as Dinsmore announces retirement
U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore will retire effective Jan. 1, 2027, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana announced Monday.
Some federal, state courts and clerk’s offices closed Monday due to winter storm
As of late Monday morning, more than half the state remained under a travel warning, the highest level of local travel advisory which restricts travel to emergency management workers only.
Indianapolis woman to plead guilty to threatening South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace
An earlier news release from federal prosecutors did not name the U.S. representative who was the target of the threats.