Motorcycle Gang Orchestrated Targeted Shooting of Indiana Judge, Prosecutors Allege
In a chilling case that has shaken the judicial community, prosecutors have revealed that a respected Indiana judge and his wife were victims of a targeted operation by a motorcycle gang. The attack was allegedly planned to interfere with an impending domestic abuse case over which Judge Steven Meyer was presiding.
Coordinated Attack on Judicial Figure
Judge Steven Meyer, 66, and his wife, Kimberly, were gunned down inside their Lafayette home on January 18. The assailant, wearing a mask, knocked on their door pretending to be searching for a lost dog before firing through the door. Judge Meyer sustained injuries to his arm, while Kimberly was shot in the hip. Both are now recovering, with Kimberly having been released from hospital.
Authorities launched a massive multi-agency manhunt, leading to the arrest of five individuals just four days later. The Lafayette Police Department identified the suspects as Raylen Ferguson, 38, Zenada Greer, 61, Thomas Moss, 43, Blake Smith, 32, and Amanda Milsap, 45.
Gang Affiliations and Motive Revealed
Investigators believe all five suspects have gang affiliations, with the shooting orchestrated to protect one of their members from a domestic abuse case. Thomas Moss, a member of the Phantom Motorcycle Club with ties to the Vice Lords street gang, was scheduled to appear before Judge Meyer for trial on January 20—just two days after the attack.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by the Associated Press, the gang members planned to target Meyer to influence the outcome of the trial. Adding to the evidence, the victim in Moss's upcoming case was allegedly offered $10,000 by the Vice Lords not to testify, an offer she refused.
Detailed Planning and Evidence
The planning appears to have been meticulous. Two days before the shooting, on January 16, Judge Meyer reported suspicious activity when a man posing as a food delivery driver knocked on their door despite no order being placed. Surveillance footage analysis later determined this individual had the same distinct pattern and cadence as suspect Raylen Ferguson.
Further evidence links suspect Blake Smith, described by authorities as a high-ranking Phantom MC member, to purchasing a gun on January 5 that matches the weapon found near the crime scene. At the scene, authorities recovered the shooter's mask, clothing, and a shotgun, with Ferguson's DNA allegedly found on the mask.
Charges and Arrest Details
Ferguson, Moss, and Smith face serious charges including:
- Attempted murder
- Conspiracy to commit murder
- Aggravated battery
- Gang enhancement charges
Greer and Milsap have been charged with obstruction of justice, with Milsap facing an additional bribery charge for allegedly offering the $10,000, and Greer charged with assisting a criminal. Police released dramatic body camera footage showing Ferguson's arrest during an Indiana traffic stop and Moss being apprehended at his home with law enforcement pointing firearms as he exited with hands raised.
Gang History and Judicial Response
The Vice Lords gang, with which the Phantom Motorcycle Club is affiliated, has a criminal history dating to the 1950s, having evolved from an informal peer group into a multi-state operation according to the National Gang Crime Research Center.
In a statement, Judge Meyer expressed gratitude for community support and reaffirmed his faith in the judicial system, stating: "I want the community to know that I have strong faith in our judicial system. This horrific violence will not shake my belief in the importance of peacefully resolving disputes." Indiana State Police Lt. Col. Al Williamson emphasized at a press conference that the gang targeted Judge Meyer for a specific reason, highlighting the calculated nature of the attack.
