SOUTH BEND — Court officials said it was one of the worst criminal histories they had ever seen.

In his 29 years, Cullen Davis Walker had five felony convictions and multiple misdemeanors that spanned several Indiana counties, including robbery, dealing cocaine and illegal handgun possession.

By the time he landed in South Bend from Michigan City last year, he was out on bond in LaPorte and Marshall counties, respectively, and on probation from Grant County, according to court records.

That lengthy criminal background was a weighing factor today when a judge sentenced Walker to 56 years in prison for a violent home invasion in South Bend.

Walker was found guilty by a jury in September of five felony counts, including burglary, robbery, criminal confinement and possession of cocaine.

The violent home invasion happened in December 2008 when Walker held a resident at gunpoint and pushed his way into a home on Blaine Avenue, according to past reports. He then stripped naked the five people in the house and duct-taped their hands and feet. He then stole $300 from one of the residents.

Walker was later arrested by police in a nearby vacant home while hiding in an attic. Authorities soon discovered the long criminal history that had trailed Walker to South Bend.

"I was shocked," said St. Joseph County Deputy Prosecutor Eric Tamashasky of Walker’s background. "I was in awe of how horrific (a history) by the age of 29."

"It was one of the worst I’d ever seen."

St. Joseph Superior Court Judge Jane Woodward Miller agreed, Tamashasky said, handing Walker more than five decades behind bars.
Walker had faced between 20 and 60 years in prison, according to Tamashasky.
Walker expressed remorse for his actions at the sentencing, and his defense attorney asked Woodward Miller for leniency.
After the hearing, Tamashasky said the case was a good example of law enforcement and court officials working together to take a "really bad guy," out of the community.
Staff writer Alicia Gallegos:
agallegos@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6368