Fort Wayne, Indiana — An Indiana man has been sentenced to 55 years in prison for the fatal shooting of a 67-year-old man whose gold coins were later exchanged for a gold bar at a pawn shop, according to court records and local reports.
The sentence was handed down to Chavez Gustin, 22, on January 5, after he pleaded guilty to felony murder as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. In exchange for the guilty plea, separate murder and burglary charges were dismissed.
Victim found shot inside his Fort Wayne home
The charges stem from the killing of Roger Swedzinski, 67, who was found fatally shot in the basement of his home in Fort Wayne in July 2025, according to local news outlets.
Court documents show investigators discovered Swedzinski’s gun safe open, with valuables scattered throughout the basement, indicating a robbery had taken place.
Authorities later determined that several American Eagle gold coins were missing from the home.
Gold coins traced to pawn shop transaction
Investigators were able to link Gustin to the crime after surveillance footage captured him visiting a pawn shop two days after the killing, where he exchanged the stolen gold coins for a gold bar.
The transaction proved to be a key piece of evidence tying Gustin directly to the stolen property and the homicide.
Facebook Marketplace listing preceded the killing
According to court documents, Swedzinski had been attempting to sell the gold coins on Facebook Marketplace shortly before his death.
The coins were reportedly listed for $4,400, and authorities believe the online listing may have made him a target.
Guilty plea leads to decades-long sentence
Gustin pleaded guilty in December, admitting responsibility for the killing under Indiana’s felony murder statute, which holds defendants accountable for deaths that occur during the commission of certain crimes, including robbery.
The 55-year sentence reflects the seriousness of the offense while sparing the victim’s family a lengthy trial.
Remembering the victim
Swedzinski was remembered by family as a devoted grandfather who cherished time with his grandchildren.
“Known for being a goofy grandpa, he was always ready with a new loud toy or a fun ice cream outing,” his obituary read. “His grandchildren were his greatest treasures.”
Read Also: Masked Thieves Steal $14K in Electronics From Bronx Charter School During Late-Night Break-In
A warning about online sales
The case has renewed concerns about safety when selling valuables online, especially precious metals and collectibles. Law enforcement officials continue to urge sellers to use secure locations, avoid private meetups, and involve trusted third parties whenever possible.
What steps do you think should be taken to better protect people selling high-value items online? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
