Burglary Suspect Claims Alibi; Fiancée May Testify Against Him

By Mike Perleberg An alibi filing claims Brandon Mockbee could not have committed a June 27 business burglary in Lawrenceburg. Photo by Dearborn County Sheriff's Department. (Dearborn County, Ind.) - A man accused of burglarizing multiple southeast Indiana businesses says he has an alibi for at least one of the break-ins. Brandon A. Mockbee, of Cincinnati, is accused of smashing through glass doors and taking items businesses including Tri-State Battery Supply in Lawrenceburg and Hibbett Sports in Aurora last June. His fiancée, Melissa Holley, of Jennings County, Indiana, was also arrested and charged. In a July 27 court filing, Mockbee’s former defense attorney gives an alibi that he was at the Clarion Hotel in Columbus, Indiana the night of the Tri-State Battery burglary on June 27. Lawrenceburg attorney Gary Sorge wrote that Mockbee was at the hotel with Holley and her two children “swimming and playing games.” The room at the hotel was in Mockbee’s name and paid for with Holley’s credit card. Mockbee also was sent $600 from his grandfather through Walmart. Mockbee is currently represented by Michael Sarapata, another local defense attorney. The usefulness of Mockbee’s alibi, however, may hinge on the testimony of his own bride-to-be. Holley pleaded guilty to Burglary (level 5 felony) and Conspiracy to Commit Burglary (level 5 felony) in Dearborn Circuit Court on September 16. Judge James D. Humphrey sentenced her to five years and 340 days on probation – no time in jail or prison. Holley agreed to pay $4,588.55 in restitution to the two Dearborn County businesses. As part of her plea deal, Holley must testify truthfully in other court proceedings against Mockbee. “Defendant agrees to not marry co-defendant, Brandon Mockbee, until the proceedings against him are concluded,” Humphrey’s sentencing order states. “Defendant waives spousal privilege in testifying against co-defendant, Brandon Mockbee.” Melissa Holley. Photo by Dearborn County Sheriff's Department. Sarapata has motioned for a hearing on the suppression of some evidence against Mockbee. That hearing will take place September 30. Mockbee is currently scheduled to stand trial November 7 on charges including two counts of Burglary and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Burglary – all level 5 felonies. Each count carries one to six years behind bars. On September 16, Dearborn County prosecutors charged Mockbee with a Habitual Offender charge which, if convicted, could extend his stay in prison by up to six years. RELATED STORIES: Couple Arrested For Dearborn Co. Business Break-Ins Lawrenceburg Battery Shop Burglary May Be Connected To Other Recent Break-Ins