Laquenta A. Gaines, 36, Indianapolis
HANCOCK COUNTY — Following a bench trial in Hancock County Circuit Court this week, the Judge Scott Sirk announced an Indianapolis man was found guilty on four felony charges and one Class A misdemeanor crime involving a gun and resisting law enforcement charges.
Laquenta A. Gaines, 36, Indianapolis was found guilty of five counts in all, a Level 5 felony count of intimidation-draws or uses a deadly weapon, two different Level 6 felony counts of resisting law enforcement, a Level 6 felony count of criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon, and a Class A misdemeanor charge of carrying a handgun without a license.
Gaines was found not guilty of A level 6 felony count of theft of a firearm and Level 6 felony count of resisting law enforcement. An eighth count against Gaines, a Class A misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana, was dismissed.
According to the official report, the incident, which involved the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department occurred Jan. 29, 2021. That’s when officials say Gaines fled from law enforcement and drew a loaded firearm on a deputy. Despite Gaines’s actions, the deputy acted quickly to subdue Gaines, remove the firearm from his control, and call for backup, avoiding a potentially deadly situation.
“This kind of behavior is completely unacceptable in Hancock County,” prosecutor Brent Eaton said. “It was an incredibly dangerous situation.”
Eaton noted the verdict reinforces the county’s commitment to upholding the safety and security of the community and supporting law enforcement officers.
“We appreciate the work of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department in bringing the evidence to us needed to achieve this conviction,” Eaton said. “We’re grateful for their patience as this case, filed in February of 2021, finally made it to trial this week.”
Despite the Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office requesting Gaines be remanded into custody right away pending sentencing, Judge Sirk ruled otherwise. He’s allowing Gaines to remain out of jail until the sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 8.
The county’s probation department has been ordered to prepare a pre-sentence investigation report for the sentencing hearing.
