By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Russell Keigan Harty

WARSAW — A Warsaw teen will serve seven years in prison after a “drug deal gone bad” resulted in two people being shot.

Russell Keigan Harty, 19, Warsaw, was charged with armed robbery, a level 3 felony. Aggravated battery, criminal recklessness and theft charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. Harty was also sentenced for a probation violation matter in a battery case. In October 2018, Harty received a one-year suspended sentence for battery resulting in moderate bodily injury. A petition for probation violation was filed against Harty in July 2019.

Harty was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court 1 on Monday, Nov. 16.

On Oct. 8, 2019, a Warsaw Police officer went to a residence regarding a report of shots fired in the back part of Harrison Ridge, a housing addition off of Husky Trail. While heading to the scene, the officer learned that Naquan Rasheed Williams, 18, Warsaw, was being taken to Parkview Hospital for a gunshot wound.

Upon arrival at the scene, the officer saw a juvenile and searched him. While searching the juvenile, the officer found a large plastic bag of marijuana. The youth told the officer that Alexander Clowser, 19, Fort Wayne, had been shot and that he was worried Holly Adams, 19, Fort Wayne, was hurt as well.

According to court documents, the officer then found Clowser, who said he had been shot in the right tricep by Harty. The officer saw a small red mark where it appeared a bullet had glanced the inside of Clowser’s triceps.

Clowser said he was at the scene with the juvenile, Adams and Owen Gerig, 19, Leo, to meet with Harty in order to sell him marijuana. They arrived and met with both Harty and Williams when Harty pulled out a handgun. Williams and Harty told the four to empty their pockets and give them the marijuana. While attempting to flee the scene, Harty fired three rounds from the handgun. One of the rounds struck Williams in the shoulder and chest, and a second round grazed Clowser in the tricep.

Through interviews, police learned the juvenile, Clowser, Adams and Gerig were all meeting with Harty to sell hm two ounces of marijuana when both Harty and Williams attempted to rob them.

None of the victims were in court for testimony. Defense Attorney Isaiah Vanderpool recommended that a substance abuse treatment option be part of Harty’s sentence.

“Everyone involved was a drug dealer in a drug crime,” said Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz on the incident.

Harty apologized to the victims and their families, his own family, and those who lived near the shooting scene for his actions.

“I want to make sure nothing like this happens again,” said Harty.

For armed robbery, Kosciusko Superior Court 1 Judge David Cates sentenced Harty to seven years in prison. Harty is to have no contact with any of the victims, including Williams. He must also serve the remaining portion of his suspended sentence in the battery case, with that time to be served consecutively to the armed robbery case. Harty also has 369 days of jail time credit.

“I believe you’re better than this but you keep making bad choices,” said Cates.

Williams has a change of plea hearing regarding this case at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 21.

Clowser was sentenced on July 27 for dealing in marijuana and received a one-year suspended jail sentence. Adams was sentenced on Sept. 28 for dealing in marijuana and also received a one-year suspended jail sentence.

Gerig was arrested on Nov. 13 for dealing in marijuana.