Insets, from left: Damien Foster and Nolan Roberts (Dearborn County Prosecutor”s Office). Background: Video of the “Hillbilly Boxing” club in Indiana (Dearborn County Prosecutor’s Office).
Two men are facing misdemeanor charges after they allegedly organized a fight club dubbed “Hillbilly Boxing,” in which minors would fight in a cage set up in an Indiana field.
Nolan Roberts and Damien Foster stand accused of failing to obtain a gaming license. According to the Dearborn County Prosecutor’s Office, cops received a tip last month about an 8th grader at East Central Middle School participating in fights that were occurring in the Sunman area, which is in the southeastern part of the Hoosier State.
The Indiana Gaming Commission also received a complaint with similar allegations. Investigators found at least eight videos on YouTube that allegedly showed people, some of whom were under the age of 18, participating in boxing matches. Cops interviewed the eighth grader, age 14, who confirmed he was one of the boys in the videos. He said he suffered injuries during the fight, per cops.
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Detectives identified the area in which the fights were occurring. They say they found a metal cage in the middle of the field. Prosecutors allege that Roberts and Foster were promoting the boxing matches. To do that legally, authorities say, they needed a license from the Indiana Gaming Commission that ensures the fights are being conducted in a safe manner.
“The videos online that capture these alleged crimes are very disturbing to say the least. They show young people, some of whom appear to be juveniles, engaging in brawls, sometimes with adults. At least one participant was a 14-year-old child,” said Prosecutor Lynn Deddens.
Deddens said she was disappointed by the fact that prosecutors could only charge them with misdemeanors “until the Indiana Legislature addresses the issue of unlicensed fights involving children.”
“Until such time, we will use the tools we do have to prosecute individuals involved in events of this nature to the fullest extent allowed by law,” she said.
The suspects have since posted a $5,000 bond. Their next court date is scheduled for Dec. 4.
