Man convicted of trying to kill Delaware County deputies draws 79-year sentence

MUNCIE, Ind. — A man convicted of trying to kill two Delaware County sheriff's deputies has been sentenced to 79 years in prison.

A Delaware Circuit Court 1 jury on June 27 found 20-year-old Tarron H. Conwell guilty of two counts of attempted murder , along with criminal recklessness, unlawful carrying of a handgun and resisting law enforcement.

He was sentenced Wednesday by Judge Judi Calhoun.

At the sentencing hearing, Deputy Prosecutor Maricel Driscoll said Conwell was "a menace to society who does nothing but cause chaos and disorder."

During last month's trial, Driscoll and Deputy Prosecutor Steve Sneed presented testimony that while Conwell was being approached by deputies — on June 23, 2023 — the Muncie man pulled a handgun and fired several shots at his pursuers.

The deputies were not struck by the gunfire.

As he fled, Conwell was struck by a law enforcement vehicle, suffering injuries that left him hospitalized for several days.

Conwell testified at his trial he was unaware the people who were pursuing him were deputies and feared for his life.

The deputies had gone to Conwell's home in the 3600 block of South Mock Avenue after learning a warrant had been issued for his arrest in a Madison County court.

Conwell, a former Alexandria resident, still faces a total of 11 charges, including bribery, resisting law enforcement and false identity statement in cases pending in Madison County courts.

In a release, Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman said if offenders "pull a gun and fire at a police officer, you do so at your own peril," facing both the likelihood of return fire and "aggressive" prosecution.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Man convicted of trying to kill Delaware County deputies draws 79-year sentence