Saturday, July 27. 2024 - Felony court news

Arson

A Terre Haute man was sentenced in Jay Circuit Court to prison for arson.

Dana L. Zimmerman, 40, 3818 Locust St., pleaded guilty to the Level 4 felony. He was sentenced to four years in Indiana Department of Correction with all but two days suspended and placed on probation for four years. 

Zimmerman was given credit for time served, fined $1 and assessed $189 in court costs.

Unlawful possession

Two Indiana men were sentenced in Jay Superior Court to jail for unlawful possession of a syringe.

Jesse L. Ishman, 42, Portland, pleaded guilty to the Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 276 days in Jay County Jail and given 276 days credit for time served. Ishman was assessed $189 in court costs. As part of his plea agreement, a Level 6 felony for possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony for maintaining a common nuisance and a Class C misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia were dismissed.

Steven M. Tapley, 32, 2301 West Barcelona Drive, Muncie, pleaded guilty to the Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 540 days in Jay County Jail and given 394 days credit for time served. Tapley was fined $25 and assessed $189 in court costs. As part of his plea agreement, a Class A misdemeanor for driving with a suspended license was dismissed.

Failed to register

A Portland man was sentenced in Jay Superior Court to jail for failing to register as a sex or violent offender.

Joseph E. McDowell, 45, 706 E. Main St., pleaded guilty to the crime, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 540 days in Jay County Jail and given 252 days credit for time served. McDowell was assessed $189 in court costs. 

As part of his plea agreement, a habitual offender enhancement was dismissed.