Vigo County Prosecutor's Office

07/07/2026

We remember our fallen officer, 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐡 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲.

Det. Greg Ferency was shot and killed outside of the FBI Indianapolis Resident Agency near the intersection of Wabash Court and First Street in Terre Haute at about 2:15 pm.

A subject drove to the gate of the building and threw a Molotov cocktail at it. The man then confronted Det. Ferency and shot him as he came out of the building. Despite being wounded, Det. Ferency was able to return fire. An FBI agent also rushed outside and shot the subject, who then drove himself to a local hospital, where he was taken into custody.

The subject was subsequently charged with the murder of a federal agent.
Det. Ferency was 53 years old and served with the Terre Haute Police Department for 30 years. He was assigned to the FBI Task Force and is survived by his two children, parents, and sister.

Det. Ferency was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and the Wounded in Combat medal by Terre Haute Police Department. He was also posthumously awarded an FBI Special Agent badge by the director of the FBI. In November 2021, the FBI Memorial Star was presented to Det. Ferency's children. The FBI Memorial Star is presented to a surviving relative where death has occurred in the line of duty as the direct result of adversarial action.

07/02/2026

Demand Stricter Penalties for Reckless Homicide

06/30/2026

Michael Baker given 10 year sentence for providing substance that killed Josiah Scott

On December 1, 2024, Josiah Scott was walking home with friends when Michael Baker approached and offered a drink of a substance to the group. Josiah Scott, age 12, accepted the substance and took a drink. Baker then took a drink himself. Both collapsed shortly after consuming the substance. When first responders arrived, officers located Baker in possession of a firearm. Baker’s criminal history consists of 4 prior misdemeanor convictions out of Illinois and, thus, he was allowed to legally possess a firearm. However, this firearm had the serial numbers removed, making the possession criminal. Josiah and the defendant were both were hospitalized and transported to Indianapolis for treatment. Days later, Josiah Scott passed away. The Marion County Coroner’s Office later issued a report indicating the cause of death as Undetermined. Baker’s final charges included Possession of an Altered Firearm, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor Causing Death, and Reckless Homicide – all Level 5 felonies.

Baker pleaded guilty to 2 of the Level 5 felonies – Possession of an Altered Firearm and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor Causing Death. Per Indiana law, a Level 5 felony is punishable by a sentence of 1 to 6 years. Double jeopardy prevents Baker from being convicted of both the Reckless Homicide and the Contributing causing Death. By running the sentences consecutively, Baker received a total sentence of 10 years that calls for 4 years in prison, followed by 3 years in the Vigo County Community Corrections residential facility (commonly known as work release) and then 3 years on probation.

Multiple victim impact statements from family and friends were delivered in court, including one from Josiah’s mother, Karah Scott. More than one expressed that the sentence was not long enough, but they had also chosen to forgive the defendant. “In my eyes there will never be enough time in prison to really serve justice for losing my son.” Karah said. While referencing scripture, Karah also expressed “Unlike a lot of people, I choose to forgive you.”

“Our heart is broken for Karah and the family and friends of Josiah.” Prosecutor Terry Modesitt said. “Once again, our laws limit the available penalties for an offender who has recklessly killed someone. I will be the first person to say that justice is not served by this sentence when 12 year old Josiah lost his life; when Karah lost her son. I have already begun working with Senator Greg Goode to again ask our Legislature to increase the penalty for Reckless Homicide.”

In 2014, the Indiana Legislature lowered the penalty for Reckless Homicide and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Death from up to an 8 year sentence down to a maximum 6 year sentence. In 2019, Prosecutor Terry Modesitt, along with a local family, petitioned our Legislature to increase these crimes to at least a Level 4 felony with a maximum sentence of 12 years. The Indiana Legislature later increased OVWI Causing Death to a Level 4 felony. However, Reckless Homicide remains a Level 5 felony.

05/27/2026

We are thankful for the recovery community in Vigo County and the real changes they encourage and support for those with substance use disorder.

Can't wait to see everyone on Saturday night.

We would like to give a big thanks to the Vigo County Prosecutor's Office for being a sponsor of the 6th Annual Recovery Is Beautiful Gala!

In 2022, WVRC launched our CLEAR Program (Choose Law Enforcement Assisted Recovery), in partnership with the Vigo Co. Prosecutor's Office. An individual who is facing a criminal case due to substance use can choose to work with a WVRC peer recovery coach/specialist. If those individual shows substantial progress in their recovery, there is a chance for their case to get lowered or even dismissed completely. 💫
If you or someone you know may benefit from this program and want to know more or see if you're eligible, you can give us a call at 812-917-0068.

We are so grateful for our continued partnership with the Vigo County Prosecutor's Office and everything they do for us and the community. 💜

03/25/2026

PHILIP ATTERSON RECEIVES 55 YEAR PRISON SENTENCE
FOR MURDER OF SARAH HENDERSON

Philip Atterson appeared in Court today and received a 55 year prison sentence for murdering Sarah Henderson.

On February 6, 2026, a Vigo County Jury found Philip Atterson guilty for the December 24, 2020 murder of Sarah Henderson. The body of Ms. Henderson was located by law enforcement on Christmas Day in a storage unit in southern Vigo County. An autopsy determined she was killed by multiple blows to the head with a hatchet. An arrest warrant was issued and Atterson was arrested three days later.

In asking for a 62 year sentence, Deputy Prosecutor and lead Trial Counsel Jason Saunders, argued that the violent nature of the attack and the lack of remorse of Atterson called for an aggravated sentence. The defense requested a minimum 45 year sentence. In announcing the sentence, Vigo Superior Court 6 Judge Daniel Kelly informed the defendant that he would be serving an executed sentence of 55 years in an Indiana prison.

“This is one of the most violent crime scenes I have been to in my 20 years as prosecutor.” Said Prosecutor Terry Modesitt. “And we are thankful to the family for trusting us to bring justice for Sarah. I hope this lengthy prison sentence brings some closure to Sarah’s family and friends, especially her children.”

Prosecutor Modesitt would also like to express his appreciation for the medical and law enforcement first responders that were involved in the scene and investigation. Special recognition goes out to Detective Mary Parmer of the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office, who was lead on the investigation that resulted in this arrest and conviction.

02/14/2026

VIGO COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE RESPONDS TO VIDEO

We have been tagged in and provided a video posted by Illinois Predator Poachers. While we respect the goals of this and similar groups, there are multiple legal and non-legal obligations that prevent us from working with these non-law enforcement groups, often described as vigilante groups. As with many aspects of the law and prosecution, this is not as simple as “just arrest them” or “do better” as we will discuss below.

As many Vigo County citizens are likely aware, there was a time prior to 2024, where the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) and the West Terre Haute Police Department (WTHPD) would, with the Prosecutor’s approval, work with these vigilante groups and assist in these arranged meetings, often resulting in arrests and prosecutions for Child Solicitation. A significant sting operation involving the Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office (VCPO) and the VCSO netted 12 arrests in one weekend in 2023. However, during this time our area law enforcement agencies became aware of one or more groups that had engaged in these investigations locally and done so in a way that was not prosecutable and potentially illegal. And we began exploring the alternatives.

The Terre Haute Police Department (THPD) was not involved in those investigations because they were a part of the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). ICAC provides training and resources so law enforcement officers can properly engage in these types of investigations. Because of these bad investigations by outside groups where no prosecution was available, Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt asked our local law enforcement agencies to devote resources to these Online Solicitation Investigations so that we would have an active local effort to locate, arrest and prosecute those people attempting to meet up and engage in illegal activities with minor children. Both agencies agreed and in 2024, the VCSO and the VCPO joined the THPD and became members of the Indiana ICAC task force.

Being a member of ICAC provides training opportunities and resources for Investigators and Prosecutors involved in these Solicitation cases. THPD and VCSO both assigned detectives to be trained and certified who now actively engage in these investigations. The assigned detectives work closely with the Special Victims Deputy Prosecutor.

As an aside, prior to Prosecutor Modesitt taking office in 2007, there was no deputy prosecutor assigned solely to handle these special victim cases. One of the first actions taken during his first year in office was to request County Council funding for two deputy prosecutors who would be trained in and handle specific types of cases. One handling all cases involving child victim crimes like these. And the other working directly with the Drug Task Force. Both focused positions exist today and are on call 24/7 to assist law enforcement.

As noted in the video, the author is frustrated that our local agencies are part of ICAC. To be a member and receive training, investigative and financial assistance, agencies must agree to certain standards. ICAC Operational and Investigative Standards Section 8.4 prohibits any ICAC agency from collaboration with Vigilantes. It reads “8.4 Members shall not collaborate with Vigilantes. Further Members shall not approve, condone, encourage, or promote Vigilante’s activities.” The document defines “Vigilante” as “a non-Partner activist or activist organization engaged in investigative tactics or other law enforcement-like activities.”

The Indiana Prosecuting Attorney’s Council (IPAC) has also provided guidance regarding these solicitation cases and working with outside groups. One point of guidance states “Items used by the vigilante in his or her investigation should be seized immediately, preserved, and searched. Such items likely will include phones and/or computers. A proper forensics search of such items and the trying/disposing of any case that may result from the matter may take up to months or years. ‘All items seized by any law enforcement agency as a result of an arrest, search warrant, or warrantless search, shall be securely held by the law enforcement agency under the order of the court trying the case...Following the final disposition of the cause at trial level or any other final disposition...property...shall be returned to its rightful owner,’ Indiana Criminal Code §35-33-5-5.” We have not had any of these Vigilante groups provide all of the computers, phones, video recording devices, etc… when contacting local law enforcement. Without the willingness of these groups to do turn over all of these aspects of the investigation, not just an envelope of screenshots and a livestreamed video, we are unable to meet this required legal standard.

IPAC has given further guidance regarding the methods used by these groups and how such methods could violate Prosecutor responsibilities in how we handle our cases. You have heard it said by us many times, we cannot talk about pending cases because it could impact the Defendant’s right to a fair trial. The same concerns arise because of the live streamed videos that accompany these vigilante investigations. “The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council does not support public shaming of criminal suspects/defendants nor trying cases in the media rather than the courtroom. In fact, prosecutors have an ethical duty to ‘refrain from making extrajudicial comments that have a substantial likelihood of heightening public condemnation of the accused,’ Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 3.8(f).” Our agreeing to work with groups that we know will engage in these live streamed confrontations would be condoning something that we understand can violate our ethical responsibilities.

Neither law enforcement nor most community members want these perpetrators to avoid being held accountable. But, as in all prosecutions, we must dot every “i” and cross every “t” because the burden is ultimately on law enforcement to make sure that we are not violating someone’s rights and are developing cases where the admissible evidence can prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. We thank our local law enforcement agencies for meeting this challenge that we put before them to devote extra resources to the investigation of these Child Solicitation cases. And we will continue to prosecute the cases they bring to us.

For more information about ICAC, please visit: www.in.gov/isp/icactf/

02/04/2026

2022 Murder of Quincy Rogers-Porter results in 55 year sentence for Kole Hughes

Family members of Quincy Rogers-Porter expressed hurt, anger and forgiveness during the sentencing hearing for Kole Hughes today. The defendant pleaded guilty to Murder for shooting and killing Rogers-Porter at Davis Park Elementary School in the evening hours of July 31, 2022. Per the terms of the plea agreement, Hughes was sentenced to a 55 year sentence at the Indiana Department of Correction – a 45 year prison sentence followed by 10 years of probation.

“This case is another example of unnecessary gun violence and why we aggressively prosecute gun crimes.” said Prosecutor Terry Modesitt. “Quincy was 22 years old when his life was taken. And the Defendant will be incarcerated from the age of 20 years until well into his fifties. Two families forever impacted.”

Prosecutor Modesitt would like to recognize lead Detective Julia Piety, who is in her 30th year with the Terre Haute Police Department, and retired Detective Brad Rumsey for their work in identifying and apprehending Hughes promptly after the shooting. Special thanks also goes out to Vigo County School Corporation Security Director Kurt Brinegar for his assistance in the investigation.