EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The grief of losing their son turned into legal trouble for De’Jon Darrell Fox Sr. and Chardnae Cleveland this Christmas week. The Indianapolis couple, still reeling from the fatal shooting of their 19-year-old son, De’Jon Fox Jr., at Kentucky State University earlier this month, now face felony intimidation charges in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. �
Court records show that on Dec. 25, just one day after their son was killed in the campus shooting, police arrested Fox, 38, and Cleveland, 37, on accusations they made threatening posts online aimed at Jacob Bard — the Evansville man initially charged in the shooting but later cleared by a grand jury. �
According to probable cause affidavits, Fox’s social media post said, “You will feel the same hurt I feel,” a line that authorities interpreted as a threat. Another message, attributed to Cleveland, read, “Might drive to Evansville today and see some Vice Lords!” Police noted “Vice Lords” refers to a well-known street gang with a history of violence and organized crime. �
Indiana police say both Fox and Cleveland have since bonded out of jail, but their cases are far from over. At her first court appearance, Cleveland told the judge she had never been arrested before and insisted she had no connection to gangs. Fox, however, skipped his scheduled hearing, prompting a judge to issue a warrant with no bond. �
The backdrop to these charges is a tragic and complicated situation. On Dec. 9, Bard, 48, was on the Kentucky State University campus in Frankfort to help move his sons to safety amid reported threats and prior violent incidents involving his younger child. Authorities say Bard was attacked by a group, and in defending himself and his family, he fatally shot Fox Jr. and wounded another person. A Franklin County grand jury declined to indict Bard earlier this week, ruling the shooting did not warrant murder charges. �
Since the grand jury’s decision, emotions have run high. Law enforcement officials say threats against Bard and his family were monitored closely — including the posts that led to the Indiana intimidation charges. Bard’s legal team maintains he acted in lawful self-defense. �
The Kentucky State University community continues to mourn Fox Jr.’s death. Campus leaders have canceled classes and offered support services while bolstering safety measures in the wake of the incident and subsequent legal battles. Families of both the victim and the cleared suspect now find themselves under intense public scrutiny as the case unfolds. �
