Motorcycle Gang Member Sentenced to 120 Years

Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 9:49 AM

Michael Karnuth was convicted of murder in February.

michael j karnuth

MIchael Karnuth.

(Jefferson County, Ind.) - A motorcycle gang leader convicted of murder was sentenced on Wednesday in Jefferson County.

Michael “Bill Goat” Karnuth was sentenced to 60 years on the murder charge and an additional 60 years on a criminal gang enhancement, according to Prosecutor David Sutter.

Karnuth was convicted last month following a jury trial in Jefferson Circuit Court.

His case began in June of 2021 when Dustin B. Linder, 35, of Georgetown, Kentucky, was fatally wounded during a incident on John Deere Road in Dupont.

Linder, a member of the Pagans motorcycle gang, was with Karnuth and other members of the Warlocks motorcycle gang. Linder, a member of the Pagans motorcycle gang, was with Karnuth and members of another gang, the Warlocks.

They were confronting Shaun Rudis, whom they believed was displaying patches and tattoos of the motorcycle gangs while not being a member. Karnuth was president of the Heavy Hitters chapter of the Warlocks and had spent weeks gathering information on Rudis’ whereabouts and organizing the pursuit of Rudis.

Following the shooting, gang members fled the area in two vehicles but crashed into each other. They attempted to dispose of a vehicle, firearms and gang paraphernalia following the shooting.

Karnuth was eventually located at a known Warlock house in Rising Sun.

“This is a significant sentence which all but ensures a dangerous man will no longer be a threat to our community,” said Prosecutor David Sutter. “The conviction and sentence is a direct result of the outstanding investigation conducted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Indiana State Police.”