An Indiana man has been sentenced to 55 years in prison for the killing of a 67-year-old Fort Wayne resident in a case authorities say involved stolen gold coins.
Chavez Gustin, 22, was sentenced Jan. 5 after pleading guilty in December to one count of felony murder. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors dismissed separate murder and burglary charges.
WANE and WPTA reported that the case centers on the death of Roger Swedzinski, 67, who was found fatally shot inside his Fort Wayne home in July 2025. Citing court documents, WANE reported that Swedzinski was discovered dead in his basement, with his gun safe left open and valuables scattered around the home.
Investigators said several American Eagle gold coins were missing from the residence, according to the outlets.
WPTA reported that surveillance footage later captured Gustin at a pawn shop, where he exchanged the coins for a gold bar two days after the killing.
Court documents cited by WPTA also state that, before the shooting, Swedzinski had been trying to sell the coins on Facebook Marketplace, listing them for $4,400.
In an online obituary, Swedzinski was remembered as a devoted grandfather who took joy in making his family laugh and creating special moments with his grandchildren.
