MADISON — A North Vernon man who led a criminal biker gang has been sentenced to 120 years in prison for a murder conviction stemming from a 2021 gang-related shootout in Dupont.
Michael J. “Billy Goat” Karnuth, 34, was sentenced this week in Jefferson Circuit Court in Madison for the June 22, 2021 killing of Dustin B. Lindner, 35, of Georgetown, Kentucky. Authorities said Lindner was a member of the Pagans Motorcycle Club who had accompanied Karnuth and others who had planned to attack another motorcycle club gang member.
Jefferson Circuit Judge Donald J. Mote on Wednesday sentenced Karnuth to 60 years on the murder charge enhanced by another 60 years because Karnuth also was determined to be a member of a criminal organization whose crimes furthered the interests of the organization. A jury had convicted Karnuth on all counts last month, which included murder, attempted burglary committed while armed with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery committed while armed with a deadly weapon, and obstruction of justice.
Jefferson County Prosecutor David Sutter said in a statement, “This is a significant sentence which all but ensures a dangerous man will no longer be a threat to our community.”
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.
