Sullivan County man receives 40-year prison sentence

SULLIVAN CO. – February 24, 2023, a sentencing hearing was conducted in Sullivan Superior Court with Honorable Judge Hugh R. Hunt presiding in the State of Indiana versus Billy Ray Grimes. 

On September 23, 2022, Prosecutor Ann Mischler charged Billy Ray Grimes, age 37, Merom, with robbery resulting in serious bodily injury and violent felon in possession of a firearm.  A jury trial was conducted last week with Special Prosecutor Rob Roberts being the lead prosecutor.  The trial took three days and at the conclusion of the trial Grimes was found guilty on all charges. 

Due to prior felony convictions against Grimes, he received the habitual offender enhancement with a total of 40 years being handed down by Judge Hugh.

Putnamville State Police Trooper Andrew Mattern was the lead investigator.  District Commander Lieutenant David Cox commended Trooper Mattern on a thorough investigation making Sullivan County and the State of Indiana a safer place to live.