Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 - Felony court news

Strangulation

A man was sentenced to jail for strangulation.

Gary L. Hines, 45, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to the Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 545 days in Jay County Jail with all but 176 days of his sentence suspended and given 176 days credit for time served. Hines was placed on probation for 369 days, fined $25, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention and treatment fee.

As part of his plea agreement, four Class A misdemeanors for domestic battery, interference with reporting a crime, resisting law enforcement and possession of marijuana, and a Class B misdemeanor for criminal mischief.

Dealing drugs

Two men were sentenced in Jay Circuit Court to serve time in prison for dealing methamphetamine.

Blake W. Price, 33, pleaded guilty to dealing methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony. He was sentenced to 22 years in Indiana Department of Correction with five years suspended and given credit for time served. Price was placed on probation, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fee. He was recommended for purposeful incarceration, meaning upon completing a substance abuse treatment program the court would consider modifying his sentence. As part of his plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed: a Level 4 felony for dealing in a narcotic drug, two Level 6 felonies for possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a syringe and a Class A misdemeanor for driving with a suspended license.

Eric L. Garringer, 32, 955 S Blaine Pike, Portland, pleaded guilty to dealing methamphetamine, a Level 4 felony. (He was originally charged with a Level 3 felony.) Garringer was sentenced to eight years in Indiana Department of Correction and given credit for time served. Garringer was assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fee. He was recommended for purposeful incarceration, meaning upon completing a substance abuse treatment program the court would consider modifying his sentence. As part of his plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed: three Level 6 felonies for possession of cocaine, possession of a narcotic drug and resisting law enforcement and a Class C misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia. A habitual offender enhancement was also withdrawn.

Theft

Two Indiana residents were sentenced to serve time for committing theft.

Tasasha D. Evans, 34, 9515 Pendleton Pike, Indianapolis, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to theft, a Level 6 felony. She was sentenced to 18 months in Indiana Department of Correction with 184 days suspended and given credit for time served. Evans was assessed $189 in court costs.

Jarrad D. Hill, 37, 6509 Liberty Drive, Fort Wayne, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to theft, a Class A misdemeanor. He was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but 90 days suspended and given 90 days credit for time served. Hill was assessed $189 in court costs and placed on probation for 275 days. As part of his plea agreement, Hill’s charge was lessened from a Level 6 felony.

Domestic battery

Two Jay County residents were sentenced to jail for domestic battery.

Jeromy A. Fravel, 47, 944 Sandy Hollow Lane, Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to domestic battery, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 910 days in Jay County Jail with all but 48 days suspended and given eight days credit for time served. Fravel was fined $1,000, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention and treatment fee. He was placed on probation for 862 days. As part of his plea agreement, a habitual offender enhancement to his sentence was dismissed.

Kyle D. Hitchens, 30, 108 Rick Drive, Dunkirk, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor. He was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but four days suspended and given four days credit for time served. Hitchens was fined $1, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention and treatment fee. He was placed on probation for 361 days. As part of Hitchens’ plea agreement, his charge was lessened from a Level 6 felony, and the following charges were dismissed: a Level 6 felony for strangulation, a Level 6 felony for domestic battery and a Class A misdemeanor for interference with reporting a crime.

Causing injury

A Decatur man was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to drunk driving and causing injury.

Timothy D. Johnson, 44, 333 N. 16th St., Decatur, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury, a Level 5 felony. He was sentenced to 1,825 days in Indiana Department of Correction with all but 730 days of his sentence suspended and given 13 days credit for time served. Johnson was placed on probation for 1,095 days, fined $1, assessed $189.50 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug and alcohol countermeasures fee. Johnson 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 730 days retroactive to Sept. 25, 2023. As part of his plea agreement, a Level 5 felony for causing serious bodily injury when operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or more and a Class C misdemeanor for driving without a license were dismissed.

Drunk driving

Two men were sentenced to 

Joshua M. Best, 41, 932 West High St., Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 545 days in Indiana Department of Corrections and given two days credit for time served. Best was assessed $189.50 in court costs, fined $25 and ordered to pay a $200 drug and alcohol countermeasures fee. The court recommended Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles suspend his license for 730 days retroactive to Aug. 5.

Brian G. Johnson, 33, 100 Bon Bon Drive, Union City, Ohio, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration equivalent to 0.15% or more, a Class A misdemeanor. He was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but 30 days suspended and given eight days credit for time served. Johnson was placed on probation for 335 days, 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 June 27.As part of his plea agreement, his charge was lessened, and a Level 6 felony charge for operating a vehicle while intoxicated was dismissed.