A woman who drove her child’s father and others from the scene of a drug robbery setup avoided prison time on Tuesday.
Makhia Fraley, 21, of Rensselaer, pleaded guilty in February to assisting a criminal, a Level 5 felony.
Judge Samuel Cappas sentenced her to three years in Lake County Community Corrections.
Lake Station Police responded at 9:16 p.m. April 3, 2024 after the victim called 911, saying he and his mother were shot.
The accomplices — Jeremiah Rogers, of Lake Station, his friend Jehad Colvin, of Gary, and Fraley — were each originally charged with two counts of attempted murder, both Level 1 felonies; two counts of attempted robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, both Level 2 felonies; two counts of attempted armed robbery, both Level 3 felonies; and two counts of aggravated battery, both Level 3 felonies.
Robert Woodward, who was the shooter and 16 at the time, pitched the idea to rob a marijuana dealer. In April 2025, Woodward was sentenced to 15 years in prison, three years in Lake County Community Corrections and two years probation.
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The dealer ended up shot in the head, while his mother was wounded in the throat and chest.
They were left with “lifelong injuries,” Deputy Prosecutor Kasey Dafoe said.
Afterward, Fraley drove them to a gas station, then home.
The plea was a break with a 4-year capped sentence, she argued. Fraley saw them in the car with weapons.
Defense lawyer Joe Curosh said his client has “not had an easy life.”
She had a child with co-defendant Jeremiah Rogers, who was imprisoned.
She learned of the shooting after they got back in the car, he said.
Fraley apologized in court, saying she wanted to move on.
Cappas later said she didn’t show any remorse for the victims.