It was a quiet evening on East 79th Street in Indianapolis — the kind where nothing ever seems to happen. But on that night, everything changed. What began as an ordinary night for one family quickly turned into a nightmare that would leave a community shaken and four men facing some of the longest prison sentences in Indiana’s history.
According to court records, four men — Adrian Anthony, Demetra Brown, Alexander Duprey, and Michael Pugh — forced their way into a family home, setting off a chain of events that would last more than two hours. What happened inside was described by prosecutors as one of the most frightening ordeals they had ever seen.
The victims, Eileen Potenza and her daughter, were reportedly terrorized as the men ransacked their home, stealing valuables and causing damage that went far beyond material loss.
By the time it was over, both victims’ lives had been forever changed.
The Investigation and Arrests
Police launched an immediate investigation after neighbors reported seeing unfamiliar vehicles and hearing strange noises coming from the house that night. Within days, detectives pieced together evidence linking the four men to the scene — including stolen property, fingerprints, and eyewitness testimony.
Each suspect was eventually arrested in coordinated raids across the city. Officers described the suspects as “organized but reckless,” noting that their actions appeared planned but spiraled out of control once inside the home.
When the case finally went to trial, prosecutors painted a clear picture of what had happened that night: a calculated home invasion that turned into a prolonged ordeal for the family trapped inside.
Inside the Courtroom: A Chilling Testimony
During the trial, the courtroom sat in near silence as the victims shared what they endured. They spoke calmly, bravely, and in heartbreaking detail about the fear that consumed them and how they thought they wouldn’t make it out alive.
The jury listened to every word. Some jurors were seen wiping away tears as the victims described the lasting emotional scars.
Prosecutors emphasized the cruelty of the attack — not only in what was taken, but in how the victims were made to feel helpless in their own home.
“Their lives were stolen that night,” the state’s attorney said. “And no sentence can ever truly return what was lost.”
The Verdict: Guilty on All Counts
After weeks of testimony, forensic evidence, and emotional statements, the jury delivered its verdict: guilty on every major count.
The charges included:
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Criminal deviate conduct
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Aggravated battery
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Criminal confinement
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Carjacking
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Robbery
Each charge carried heavy penalties on its own. Combined, they amounted to what would become one of the longest collective sentences in Indiana court history.
When the verdict was read aloud, there was no celebration in the courtroom — only relief, exhaustion, and tears from the victims and their family members.
The Sentencing: Over 300 Years Behind Bars
At sentencing, the courtroom filled once again — this time with both relief and tension. The defendants stood one by one as the judge read their sentences.
For Demetra Brown, Alexander Duprey, and Michael Pugh, the number was the same: 248 years in prison each.
Then came Adrian Anthony, described by prosecutors as the ringleader. His sentence was even higher — 318 years behind bars.
Those numbers stunned observers. Even seasoned legal experts said they couldn’t recall a case with such lengthy terms handed down for a single home invasion.
The judge didn’t mince words.
“What you did was beyond cruel,” he said. “You took away a family’s sense of safety. You destroyed the peace of mind every person deserves in their own home.”
The courtroom was silent. The defendants stood motionless, some staring down at the floor. The victims held hands tightly, their eyes filled with both pain and relief.
The Minimum Time They Must Serve
While the total sentences added up to centuries, even the minimum terms they must serve before being eligible for release are staggering:
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Brown, Duprey, and Pugh: at least 128 years each.
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Anthony: at least 159 years.
In other words, none of the men will ever walk free again. Even with good behavior, their sentences effectively ensure they will spend the rest of their lives in prison.
Prosecutors later said the lengthy punishment wasn’t just about retribution — it was about sending a message: that terrorizing families inside their own homes would be met with the harshest possible consequences.
A Judge’s Message to the City
During sentencing, the judge made a powerful statement directed not only at the defendants, but at the entire community.
“This city belongs to families who deserve to feel safe — not to people who think they can invade, harm, and steal without consequences. You brought fear into a home that should have been a place of love and safety. Now, you’ll live with the results of your own choices.”
Those words echoed through the courtroom.
For the victims, they represented a kind of closure — not because the pain was gone, but because justice, at last, had spoken.
Defense and Appeals
All four men have since filed appeals, claiming various legal and procedural errors during their trial. Their attorneys argued that the sentences were excessive and that certain evidence should not have been admitted.
However, legal experts have stated that the chances of their appeals succeeding are slim.
Given the overwhelming evidence, the unanimous jury verdict, and the severity of the crime, most believe the sentences will stand.
The victims’ family said through their attorney that they plan to attend every appeal hearing if necessary, to make sure the memory of that night — and what it took from them — is never forgotten.
Public Reaction: Justice Served or Too Harsh?
When news of the sentencing broke, social media exploded with reactions.
Some commenters said the sentences were “exactly what they deserved,” applauding the judge for sending a strong message about protecting families.
Others debated whether sentences that exceed a human lifetime serve any real purpose beyond symbolism.
But for the victims and their supporters, symbolism was the point — to make sure no one else tries to repeat such a crime.
As one community member posted,
“It’s not about how long they serve. It’s about the fact that they’ll never hurt anyone again.”
Life After the Trial
For Eileen Potenza and her daughter, life has slowly moved forward — but it will never be the same.
Neighbors say the family has since moved out of the house where the attack occurred. The memories were too painful, the trauma too deep.
Friends describe Eileen as strong but forever changed. She volunteers with local organizations that support survivors of home-related crimes, helping others find their voices after tragedy.
Her message to others is simple but powerful:
“Lock your doors, trust your instincts, and never be afraid to speak up. If something feels wrong — it probably is.”
A City Learns to Heal
The East 79th Street neighborhood, once quiet and peaceful, still remembers the night everything changed. But it also remembers the unity that followed.
Neighbors formed stronger watch programs, improved lighting, and supported the family through their recovery.
Local leaders praised the police for their quick action and the community for standing together. “Justice doesn’t erase pain,” one council member said, “but it gives people a way to start healing.”
Justice and Consequence
In the end, four men lost their freedom, and a family lost its sense of safety. The city of Indianapolis gained a painful reminder that evil can appear anywhere — even in the quietest neighborhoods.
But it also gained proof that justice, though slow, does prevail.
When the gavel finally fell, the victims’ family wept — not because the pain was over, but because the fight was.
And in the silence that followed, one truth remained clear:
No matter how long it takes, justice has a way of finding those who try to hide from it.