Convicted felon and former 7th District Congressional candidate Gabriel “Gabe” Whitley pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to Level 6 felony intimidation under a plea agreement that bars him from using or accessing “any online platforms” while on probation — a condition aimed at the alleged conduct that triggered the case.
Judge Linda E. Brown accepted the plea during a change-of-plea hearing in Marion Superior Court 36. Whitley is expected to be released from custody later today as a result of the plea and the sentence imposed.
Under the agreement, Whitley was convicted of intimidation, a Level 6 felony. Prosecutors alleged that on or about July 23, 2024, Whitley communicated a threat to commit a forcible felony — including battery by means of a deadly weapon and/or a threat to kill — toward Indy Politics publisher and Indianapolis political commentator Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, with the intent to place Shabazz in fear the threat would be carried out.
The court imposed a 910-day sentence to the Indiana Department of Correction, but suspended it in favor of 365 days of formal probation. The 910-day term was reduced by time Whitley has already served and associated “good time” credit, leaving him with roughly 650 days of DOC time hanging over his head if probation is revoked.
As a condition of probation, the agreement prohibits Whitley from using or in any way accessing any online platforms, requires full-time gainful employment, and includes a protective order barring any direct or indirect contact with Shabazz, Shabazz’s spouse, and family members — including pets.
A probable-cause affidavit described allegations that Whitley used social media to encourage violence against Shabazz, including posts referencing “shooting him like a pig,” calls for law enforcement to raid Shabazz’s home, and posts that included a photo of Shabazz’s residence and vehicle. The affidavit also alleged Whitley shared a graphic image connected to the attempted assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump and referenced Shabazz in a caption suggesting violence, along with Shabazz’s address.
Earlier in the case, the court issued a no-contact order upon release barring Whitley from contacting Shabazz in person, by telephone or letter, through an intermediary, or in any other way, directly or indirectly, and also ordered Whitley not to possess firearms, deadly weapons, or ammunition. Tuesday’s plea keeps the no-contact restrictions in place during probation and adds the online-platform prohibition as an explicit probation condition.
Defense attorney Theodore J. Minch represented Whitley. Special Prosecutor Rodney Cummings appeared for the state.
With the plea accepted, any future violation of probation — including accessing online platforms or violating the protective order — could expose Whitley to being sent to the Department of Correction to serve the remaining balance of the sentence, estimated at about 650 days.
The Whitley criminal case has unfolded alongside related civil litigation. Shabazz previously sued Whitley for defamation and obtained a judgment. Whitley separately filed a civil tort action in Marion Superior Court 6 in December 2024 naming Shabazz and the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office as defendants; Shabazz has filed counterclaims in that case, and a status conference is scheduled for February 2026.
