MUNCIE, Ind. — A Delaware County man has received the maximum sentence after an act of racial intimidation against a Muncie Police officer.
Trenton Whitaker-Blakely was found guilty of felony intimidation on May 6, 2024, and sentenced to 30 months in state prison.
Whitaker-Blakely allegedly confronted a black officer outside her police cruiser on Jan. 18, 2024. He was wearing a white pillowcase with eye-holes over his face, crouched beside her police cruiser when she arrived. Whitaker-Blakley called the officer a racial slur as she retrieved items from her car.
The cruiser was parked outside Muncie City Hall. The officer went inside where Whitaker-Blakely was seen on surveillance video. He was then tracked to a shelter for unhoused men, where he was taken into custody.
Whitaker-Blakely admitted to calling the officer a racial slur. Police also connected him to the American Nazi party, and he admitted to attending white supremacist meetings.
Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman released a statement saying "the facts of this case are very disturbing. Bigotry, hatred, and intolerance have no place in our society. The Delaware County Prosecutor's Office will not tolerate intimidation of any kind, especially racially motivated intimidation."
The judge specifically cited Whitaker-Blakely's racial views in delivering a maximum sentence. He also cited other statements from Whitaker-Blakely, including threats to kill "all Christians" and Governor Holcomb. He also has previous convictions for intimidation, battery against public safety officials, and resisting arrest.
Under Indiana law, Whitaker-Blakely's 30 month sentence is the maximum possible for a level 6 felony.
