Court Briefs: Possible Sentences in Fatal Shooting, Fatal Crash

Charges range from sexual battery to voluntary manslaughter in recent court cases across the region.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 6:07pm

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A Crown Point man is facing charges for allegedly touching his co-worker at a Jewel-Osco grocery store, while a Gary man pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of his wife. Additionally, a Portage man faces up to six years for hitting a man with a car in Lake Station, and a Chesterton man could receive a seven-year split term for a fatal crash on I-80. A Michigan City woman may avoid prison after investigators found meth in her system following a Cedar Lake injury crash.

Why it matters

These court cases highlight the range of criminal charges and potential sentences being handed down in the region, from sexual battery to manslaughter. They also raise questions about domestic violence, impaired driving, and public safety on local streets and highways.

The details

In the Crown Point case, Eric Williams, 60, is charged with sexual battery and one misdemeanor after allegedly groping and kissing a female co-worker at a Jewel-Osco store. Garry Moore, 66, of Gary, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the July 2023 shooting death of his wife, Tanya Moore, 55. Brandon Butera, 37, of Portage, pleaded guilty to criminal recklessness for hitting a man with his car in Lake Station. Justin Eder, 32, of Chesterton, pleaded guilty to causing death when operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content over the legal limit, resulting in a fatal crash on I-80. Rayann Ravenscroft, 51, of Michigan City, pleaded guilty to causing serious bodily injury when operating a vehicle with meth in her system, following a Cedar Lake injury crash.

  • On February 4, 2026, police responded around 6:30 a.m. to the Crown Point Jewel-Osco store.
  • On July 11, 2023, Gary Police responded around 4:50 a.m. to the home of Garry and Tanya Moore.
  • On April 23, 2024, Lake Station Police responded around 11:50 p.m. to the 1600 block of E. 33rd Avenue.
  • On April 6, 2021, Indiana State Police troopers arrived at the accident site on Interstate 80 eastbound, just past the Broadway Avenue exit.
  • On June 5, 2022, officers responded at 10:25 p.m. to the 15200 block of Wicker Avenue (Indianapolis Boulevard) in Cedar Lake for a reported accident.

The players

Eric Williams

A 60-year-old Crown Point man charged with sexual battery and one misdemeanor for allegedly groping and kissing a female co-worker at a Jewel-Osco store.

Garry Moore

A 66-year-old Gary man who pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the July 2023 shooting death of his wife, Tanya Moore.

Brandon Butera

A 37-year-old Portage man who pleaded guilty to criminal recklessness for hitting a man with his car in Lake Station.

Justin Eder

A 32-year-old Chesterton man who pleaded guilty to causing death when operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content over the legal limit, resulting in a fatal crash on I-80.

Rayann Ravenscroft

A 51-year-old Michigan City woman who pleaded guilty to causing serious bodily injury when operating a vehicle with meth in her system, following a Cedar Lake injury crash.

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What they’re saying

“I can do for you what your husband can't,”

— Eric Williams (Court records)

“You look mad,”

— Eric Williams (Court records)

“We had been married for 35 years. The argument stemmed from when I cheated in 2017 and she 'couldn't let it go.' She was in the process of moving out. I said she ran into our 'office' to grab a gun. Saying I was a '9th degree black belt,' I did a martial arts move to turn the barrel away from me. It went off, hitting her in the chest,”

— Garry Moore (Court documents)

“leave (his) family alone,”

— Victim (Charges)

“I saw the other car coming,”

— Steven Pflughaupt, Rayann Ravenscroft's passenger (Court records)

What’s next

The judge in the Eric Williams case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

These court cases highlight the range of criminal charges and potential sentences being handed down in the region, from sexual battery to manslaughter. They also raise concerns about domestic violence, impaired driving, and public safety on local streets and highways.