Tuesday, June 17, 2025 - Felony court news

Rape

A man was sentenced to prison for 15 years after pleading guilty to rape.

Joshua A. Guntle, 36, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to the Level 3 felony. He was sentenced to 15 years in Indiana Department of Correction. Guntle was assessed $189 in court costs.

As part of his plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed: another two Level 3 felonies for rape and three Level 4 felonies for sexual misconduct with a minor. A habitual offender enhancement was also withdrawn.

Domestic battery

A Dunkirk man was sentenced to jail for domestic battery.

Caden M. Green, 21, 339 E. North St., Dunkirk, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to domestic battery, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with 10 months suspended and given credit for time served. Green was assessed $189 in court costs. 

As part of his plea agreement, his charge was lessened from a Level 5 felony, and another Level 6 felony domestic battery charge as well as a Class B misdemeanor for public intoxication were dismissed.

Dealing drugs

A Portland man was sentenced to a dozen years in prison for dealing methamphetamine.

James C. Hamner, 52, 925 W. Race St., Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to the Level 3 felony. He was sentenced to 12 years in Indiana Department of Correction and given credit for time served. Hamner was fined $1, 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, his charge was lessened from a Level 2 felony, and a Level 6 felony for unlawful possession of a syringe, a Level 6 felony for maintaining a common nuisance and a Class C misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia were dismissed. A habitual offender enhancement was also withdrawn.

Unlawful possession

A Redkey man was sentenced to prison for three years for illegally possessing a firearm.

Nathaniel K. Cox, 33, 516 N. Meridian St., Redkey, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious, violent felon, a Level 4 felony.

He was sentenced to eight years in Indiana Department of Correction with three years suspended and given credit for time served. Cox was assessed $189 in court costs. He was also 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 5 felonies for two counts of possession of a narcotic drug and possession of methamphetamine and two Level 6 felonies for maintaining a common nuisance and unlawful possession of a syringe.