INDIANAPOLIS — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Indiana, Southern), published as received.
INDIANAPOLIS – A federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment charging George Landy, 52, of Indianapolis, with interference with commerce by robbery, attempted interference with commerce by robbery, carjacking, two counts of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
As charged in the indictment, on October 24, 2022, Landy carjacked a woman outside a Dollar Tree store in Lawrence, Indiana. Landy approached the woman as she got into her car, displayed a firearm in his waistband, and ordered that she move to the passenger seat. Landy drove the woman to a bank and forced her to withdraw $500 from her account. Landy then drove the victim to the IndyGo Transit Center in downtown Indianapolis. Landy left her at the transit center and drove away in the stolen vehicle, with the victim’s money, jewelry, debit card, and driver’s license. The victim immediately called 911 and reported the carjacking.
The next day, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officers (IMPD) located the stolen vehicle near Landy’s residence and observed him open the door using a key. When police approached Landy, he fled on foot and threw a firearm on the ground as he ran. Landy was apprehended, and police recovered the firearm. Landy is charged with illegally possessing the firearm following a felony conviction.
After Landy’s arrest, investigators linked him to two other violent crimes in Indianapolis; an armed robbery at a Family Dollar store on October 16, 2022, and an attempted armed robbery at a McDonald’s on October 23, 2022. Landy was armed with a firearm during both crimes. During the attempted armed robbery at the McDonald’s, Landy fired two shots into the restaurant. No one was injured.
If convicted on all counts, Landy faces up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the actual sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division, Randal Taylor, Chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and Gary Woodruff, Chief of the Lawrence Police Department, made the announcement.
The investigation is being led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and the Lawrence Police Department.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Massa, who is prosecuting this case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
