Indiana Judge Targeted in Violent Attack by Motorcycle Club and Street Gang
Authorities in Indiana have revealed that a motorcycle club and a street gang orchestrated a targeted attack on Judge Steven Meyer, resulting in the arrest of five individuals. The assault, which occurred at Meyer’s home in Lafayette on January 18, left both the judge and his wife, Kim, with gunshot wounds. Fortunately, both survived.
The Lafayette Police Department, alongside the FBI, Indiana State Police, and Purdue University Police Department, conducted an extensive investigation leading to the synchronized arrests of four suspects in Indiana and one in Lexington, Kentucky. The suspects are due to appear in court in both Indiana and Kentucky.
“This attack was more than an assault on two citizens,” commented Lafayette Police Chief Scott Galloway. “This was an assault on the rule of law itself.”
Prosecutors assert that the incident was intended to impede a domestic abuse case involving Thomas Moss, a member of the Phantom MC motorcycle club, which has connections to the Vice Lords street gang. The Vice Lords allegedly offered the victim $10,000 to avoid testifying against Moss, but the offer was declined.
As Moss’ trial was scheduled to begin on January 20 before Judge Meyer, another Phantom MC member, Blake Smith, acquired a shotgun. Subsequently, a masked assailant arrived at the Meyers’ residence, and under the guise of searching for a lost dog, shot the couple through their door.
“(Meyer) was targeted,” stated Indiana State Police Lt. Col. Al Williamson during a press briefing. “They went after him for a reason.”
Evidence collected by police, including a discarded mask and clothing found near the crime scene, linked Raylen Ferguson, associated with the Almighty Vice Lord Nation from Lexington, Kentucky, to the attack through DNA analysis.
Surveillance footage captured a vehicle traveling from Kentucky to Lafayette on January 16, which was seen heading towards Smith’s home following the shooting.
Moss, Ferguson, and Smith are all facing multiple charges, including attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Amanda Milsap, accused of offering the bribe in the domestic abuse case, faces charges of bribery and obstruction. Zeneda Greer, who allegedly accompanied Ferguson to Lafayette, is charged with aiding a criminal and obstruction.
Efforts to reach Milsap’s attorney, Earl McCoy, for comment were unsuccessful. Online court records have not listed attorneys for Moss, Ferguson, or Smith. Greer is currently detained in Lexington, with no attorney listed in state court records.
