A $225 Facebook Marketplace gun sale in rural Greensburg turned into what investigators say was an armed robbery, leaving two men facing felony charges and a pair of would-be buyers sprinting from the scene.
According to the Decatur County Sheriff's Department, two victims drove from Gas City to a property on North County Road 225 East last Friday to meet a seller who had advertised a firearm online. Deputies say the meetup spun out fast when a weapon was fired. The buyers took off, later telling authorities that one of them initially believed he had been shot. No injuries were ultimately reported. Within about 12 hours, both suspects were in custody, the department says.
In a detailed post on the Decatur County Sheriff's Department's Facebook page, officials identify the suspects as Justin A. Seeley of Rushville and James Lee Goodwin of Greensburg. Investigators say the buyers had answered the Facebook listing for a firearm priced at $225 and arranged to meet at the rural Greensburg location. The sheriff's office says Seeley was arrested within 12 hours of the reported robbery, while Goodwin was later taken into custody and charged.
The release lists counts that include armed robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and criminal recklessness. The sheriff's office publicly thanked Decatur County communications, the Greensburg and Rushville police departments and the Greensburg Fire Department, saying their teamwork helped quickly track down the suspects.
Charges and penalties under state law
The sheriff's post outlines armed robbery and related conspiracy counts for both men, along with a separate criminal recklessness charge. If prosecutors move ahead, the cases will be handled in Decatur County court.
Under Indiana law, a Level 3 felony, which typically includes armed robbery allegations, carries a fixed prison term of three to 16 years, with an advisory sentence of about nine years and potential fines, according to Indiana sentencing statutes. A Level 6 felony carries a fixed term of six months to two and a half years, an advisory sentence of roughly one year and possible fines, as laid out in state law.
Why online deals can be dangerous
This case started like thousands of others, as a private sale hashed out online, a setup that law enforcement routinely flags as higher risk. Private-party firearm transactions can lack background checks or a clear paper trail, which makes it harder to vet buyers and track guns if something goes sideways.
Federal guidance recommends that unlicensed sellers work through a licensed firearms dealer so the buyer goes through a background check and the transfer is recorded. The ATF also publishes best-practice advice for private sellers and dealers, aimed at cutting down risk and improving traceability. Closer to home, local authorities frequently urge anyone meeting strangers for high-value deals to pick public, well lit locations and, when possible, bring another person along.
Both suspects remain in custody facing felony counts while prosecutors decide on formal filings and the next steps in Decatur County courts. The sheriff's office has asked anyone with information about the incident to contact Decatur County dispatch or the sheriff's office; the department's website lists dispatch and non-emergency numbers for tips.
