3 Indy men federally charged for North Vernon robbery, murder

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Three Indianapolis men are now facing federal charges in connection with a Jennings County robbery and murder.

Darryl Worthen, Dejuan Worthen and Darion Harris all face federal charges of discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence resulting in death, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and theft of firearms.

A grand jury indictment released this week states that the trio traveled to a North Vernon gun store in September to plan the robbery of the shop. According to the indictment, the men executed the plan the next day when the store’s owner was shot and killed.

The Jennings County Prosecutor says he’s spoken with the victim’s family and they want this to be a federal case. Because the victim was a federally licensed firearms dealer, the U.S. Department of Justice can step in.

U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler announced the new charges at a news conference Friday.

“When an act of violence such as this occurs, the federal hammer, with all federal resources and all federal consequences, will be brought to bear,” Minkler said.

Minkler said if convicted, the trio could face penalties as strict as the death penalty or life in prison without parole.

Meanwhile, investigators say they’re still dealing with the aftermath of the crimes. Officials say the suspects stole 45 weapons from the gun store, then sold the guns in Indianapolis.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Glickman says only eight of those weapons have been recovered.

“Rest assured that law enforcement is doing everything they can to track own those remaining missing firearms,” Glickman said.

Glickman will be the lead prosecutor in the case. He says he eagerly anticipates “vigorously prosecuting all three suspects.”