Judge sets $5M bond for Webster
KATHERINE GROSSMAN PHOTO
Larry Webster II was led from the courthouse on Monday flanked by Indiana State Police Trooper Joseph Prather and Lt. Adam Hunger, Ripley County Sheriff’s Office.
On Monday, April 27, Larry W. Webster II, 46, was transported to Ripley County for an initial hearing where he was given the highest bond ever set in Ripley County after being charged with Attempted Murder a Level 1 Felony, as well as being a Habitual Offender.
Webster is accused of attacking Indiana State Police Sgt. David Meyer during a November 19, 2025 law enforcement encounter in Ripley County, which left the sergeant with injuries requiring major surgery. Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney Richard J. Hertel charged Webster following an investigation by Detective Vincent M. Scott of the Indiana State Police.
Webster has been held in Jefferson County with a $3 million bond set by Judge DJ Mote where he faces parallel charges of Attempted Murder, and Habitual Offender arising from a series of events on the same day, November 19.
Webster, who was self-represented at the time of the initial hearing, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The defendant requested that Attorney Devon Sharpe be appointed by the court. He currently represents Webster for his pending charges in Jefferson County and Sharpe has since filed his appearance in Webster’s case in Ripley County on Tues., April 28.
Hertel, prosecuting attorney, requested the court set a bond of $3 million or higher due to the nature of the crimes and seriousness of the charges. Additional factors for the bond request included the defendant’s criminal history which includes charges or convictions of battery, torturing or mutilating a vertebrate animal, striking a Law Enforcement animal, attempt Manufacturing Methamphetamine, possession of marijuana. It was also stated that Webster’s Criminal Rule 26 Assessment score was very high which came with great concern.
Prior to setting a bond amount, Circuit Court Judge Ryan King addressed the room, “I can’t think of anyone that poses this high of a risk to the community.” King explained (of this case) this is a case in which the only bond he (King) would be content with imposing, would be no bond at all.
Outside of murder and treason charges, current Indiana law requires a bond to be set in every criminal offense, including attempted murder.
Circuit Court Judge King announced that he was setting Webster’s bond in Ripley County at $5 million. Currently, a combined $8 million bond is set between two counties from the alleged events that took.
If convicted of all charges between both counties, Webster could face up to 120 years (max sentence).
A Pretrial Conference has been set for August 19, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Ripley County Circuit Court.
Editor’s Note: Suspects are considered innocent until they are proven guilty in a court of law.
