Second Man Arrested in Connection with Murder of Poker Player James Lushin

Second Suspect Arrested in Connection with James Lushin’s Murder

Justin Andrew Jones, 40, from Indianapolis, was arrested on Wednesday morning for his alleged involvement in the murder of well-known poker player James “Matt” Lushin.

Background on James Lushin and the Incident

James Lushin, a devoted father and respected figure in the poker community, had amassed over $500,000 in tournament earnings. His unexpected death occurred shortly after he finished in the money at a World Series of Poker Circuit event held at Horseshoe Hammond in northwest Indiana.

Lushin was found deceased in his Westfield, Indiana home on March 12. Authorities reported he had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his back. Investigations suggest that Jones allegedly aided Ronald Brown Jr. in carrying out the murder, which appears to be linked to settling a drug-related debt. Brown was previously arrested on March 30 but has not cooperated with law enforcement officials.

Possible Motive Behind the Murder

Official documents reveal that both Brown and Lushin were involved in a marijuana business. Lushin is believed to have provided Brown with approximately $50,000 worth of marijuana on credit, creating a significant debt. It is suspected that Brown killed Lushin to erase this financial obligation.

At the crime scene, police found jars of marijuana being prepared for packaging near Lushin’s body. Additionally, an open safe located in an outbuilding on the property contained 11 pounds of vacuum-sealed marijuana, indicating a larger scale operation.

Evidence Linking Justin Jones to the Crime

Jones is connected to the case through several pieces of evidence. His fingerprint was found on the back of the license plate of the rental car used by Brown, which had been deliberately obscured. Cell phone data places Jones at Brown’s residence in Indianapolis on the morning of the murder.

Surveillance footage captured Jones’s girlfriend’s silver Dodge Durango collecting Brown after the rental vehicle had been returned. Investigators also uncovered encrypted messages between Jones and Brown referring to activities such as showering and compiling a list of marijuana strains, which matched the substances found in Lushin’s safe.

An arrest warrant for Jones was issued on April 17. He is currently held without bond as he awaits his initial court appearance.