HANCOCK COUNTY — An Indianapolis man who officials said was on federal probation and being monitored is now facing multiple felony charges from an incident earlier this month. Investigators with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department say the man stole weapons and strangled and beat a woman Aug. 8.
Derrick Jamel Motley, 30, Indianapolis, was arrested Tuesday, Aug. 17, and charged with a Level 5 felony count of a felon carrying a handgun with a prior conviction; a Level 5 felony count of strangulation; two Level 6 felony counts of theft of a firearm; a Level 6 felony count of domestic battery; and a Class A misdemeanor count of theft.
The Level 5 felonies, the most serious charges against Motley, each carries a sentence of up to six years in prison.
According to court records, the case was opened in Hancock County Superior Court 1 on Friday, Aug. 13, when a warrant was issued for Motley’s arrest. He is being held in the county jail without bond awaiting his initial hearing slated for today (Thursday, Aug. 19) in Superior Court.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Motley and a woman from the county he was involved with got into an altercation in early August. He is accused of pulling her by her hair; choking her to the point she could not breathe; and stealing firearms and ammunition from her.
Officials noted Motley has a significant criminal history, with convictions in Marion County of carrying a handgun without a license; residential entry; pointing a firearm; battery; and strangulation, the affidavit said.
