Felony court news - Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025

Drunk driving

A Portland man was sentenced to jail for drunk driving.

Elvis E. Franks, 50, 210 West Lafayette St., pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but 60 days suspended and given two days credit for time served. Franks was placed on probation for 305 days, fined $25, assessed $189.50 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug and alcohol countermeasures fee. 

He was ordered to submit to an evaluation within 30 days of his sentencing for substance abuse counseling. The court recommended Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles suspend his license for one year retroactive to April 15, 2024. As part of his plea agreement, a Level 6 felony for operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.15% or more was dismissed.

Resisting law

Two Jay County residents were sentenced to jail for resisting law enforcement.

Cristopher M. Lessing, 33, Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to the Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 180 days in Jay County Jail and given 180 days credit for time served. Lessing was fined $25 and assessed $189 in court costs.

Samantha R. Lanum, 27, 213 N. Meridian St., Dunkirk, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to resisting law enforcement, a Level 6 felony, and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor. She was sentenced to 545 days in Jay County Jail with all but 188 days suspended and given 188 days credit for time served. Lanum was placed on probation for 357 days, fined $25 and assessed $189.50 in court costs. As part of her plea agreement, a Level 6 felony charge for possession of methamphetamine was dismissed.

Common nuisance

A Redkey woman was sentenced to jail for maintaining a common nuisance.

Megan D. Young, 43, 307 E. High St., pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to the Level 6 felony. She was sentenced to 545 days in Jay County Jail with all but 90 days suspended and given 36 days credit for time served. Young was fined $25, assessed $189 in court costs placed on home detention for 54 days and placed on probation for 15 months. As part of her plea agreement, three Level 6 felonies for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a narcotic drug and unlawful possession of a syringe were dismissed. A habitual offender enhancement was also dismissed.

Cases dismissed

Indiana v. John F. Beeson, Level 6 felony

Indiana v. Coby L. Green, Level 5 and Level 6 felonies

Found guilty

A man was sentenced to prison after he was found guilty of unlawful possession of a syringe.

Shane L. Williams, 48, was found guilty by a Jay Superior Court jury of the Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 730 days in Indiana Department of Corrections and given 46 days credit for time served. Williams was assessed $189 in court costs.