Moers: Victim’s Life Forever Changed After Drug Deal Turns Violent

Vanderburgh County, Indiana, Prosecutor Diana Moers announced a major conviction this week, as a jury found Jonathan Wyatt Bell guilty of Robbery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury—a Level 2 felony—along with a firearm enhancement that could add decades to his sentence. The verdict follows a violent drug deal gone wrong in September 2024 that left victim Blayze Handegard permanently injured.

“This was a senseless act of violence that forever changed Blayze Handegard’s life,” said Prosecutor Moers. “We were glad to seek justice for a young man who suffered catastrophic injuries at the hands of the defendant. Any time a gun is fired, the impacts are lasting—if not deadly.”

The shooting occurred on September 10, 2024, after Handegard entered a vehicle with Bell under the belief they were meeting for a marijuana transaction. Instead, he was immediately held at gunpoint. When he tried to escape, Bell shot him at point-blank range. Handegard was found by police on the ground at 1706 S. Red Bank Road, bleeding heavily from his lower body.

The bullet severed his urethra and required multiple surgeries to reconstruct. In total, he has undergone at least nine surgeries and is expected to deal with lifelong complications, including the inability to father children.

At trial, prosecutors revealed that Bell initially denied involvement, but later admitted he not only knew the robbery was going to occur—he helped plan it. Text messages sent before the shooting showed Bell discussing “licks,” a slang term for committing robberies.

“The law recognizes the seriousness of the use of a firearm in the commission of a crime through a firearm enhancement that mandates an additional term of years,” said Moers. “That enhancement was found to apply here, and my office will ask for a sentence which reflects the fact that Blayze Handegard will never be the same because of the actions of the defendant.”

Moers expressed gratitude for the team that brought the case to justice, including Deputy Prosecutors K. Maurer and N. Thomas, along with law enforcement officers Det. A. Juncker, Lt. Karges, Deputy Fentress, Det. K. Dennis, and Sgt. L. Martin. She also recognized her staff—T. Lubbehusen, J. Pollock, T. Carden, M. Richardville, J. Carter, L. Deutsch, and F. Elpers—for their tireless support throughout the trial.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 28, 2025, in front of Magistrate Judge Celia M. Pauli. A Level 2 felony carries a sentence of 10 to 30 years, and the firearm enhancement adds an additional 5 to 20 years—making Bell’s total exposure 15 to 50 years in prison.

Prosecutor Moers has made it clear: her office will be seeking a punishment that reflects the gravity of the crime and the lasting harm inflicted on the victim.