Felony court news - Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025

Dealing drugs

A rural Redkey man was sentenced to 33 years in prison after a Jay Circuit Court jury found him guilty of dealing narcotics and related charges.

Timothy J. Slaven, 40, 6289 W. 800 South, Redkey, was found guilty of a Level 2 felony for dealing in a narcotic drug, a Class A misdemeanor for resisting law enforcement, a Class C misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia and a habitual offender enhancement. 

He was sentenced to 33 years Indiana Department of Correction — his original sentence of 25 years was enhanced for being a habitual offender — for the Level 2 felony and given credit for time served. He was also sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail and another 60 days in jail for both misdemeanors. His sentences will be served concurrently.

A Level 2 felony for dealing methamphetamine and an additional Level 2 felony for dealing in a narcotic drug were dismissed. The court found Slaven indigent for the purpose of appeal.

Resisting law

A Portland man will serve just under a year on probation for resisting law enforcement and leaving the scene of an accident.

Anthony L. Crawford, 38, 322 W. Main St., Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to resisting law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor, and leaving the scene of an accident, a Class B misdemeanor. He was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but two days of his sentence suspended and given two days credit for time served. Crawford was fined $25 and assessed $189.50 in court costs. He was placed on probation for 363 days.

As part of his plea agreement, a Level 6 felony for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and a Level 6 felony for obstruction of justice were dismissed.

Nonsupport

A Portland woman was placed on probation for nearly a year after pleading guilty to nonsupport of a dependent child.

Avery M. Clifton, 25, 704 E High St., Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to the Class A misdemeanor, lessened from a Level 6 felony per her plea agreement. She was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but two days suspended and given two days credit for time served. Clifton was assessed $189 in court costs and placed on probation for 363 days. As of her sentencing, Clifton’s child support obligation arrearage and restitution was $3,784.06 owed to Taylor D. Clifton. She was ordered to make monthly $200 payments beginning Oct. 15.

Domestic battery

Three Indiana residents were recently sentenced to serve time for domestic battery.

Drew R. Hire, 33, 1 S. Meridian St., Redkey, 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 180 days of his sentence suspended and given eight days credit for time served. Hire was fined $25, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention and treatment fee. Hire was placed on probation for 730 days.

Carl Z. Swallow, 35, P.O. Box 272, Gaston, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to domestic battery, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 240 days in Indiana Department of Correction and given 10 days credit for time served. Swallow was assessed $189 in court costs, fined $25 and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention and treatment fee.

Toyanna L. Clark, 34, 4032 S. 1100 West, Dunkirk, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor. (Her charge was lessened from a Level 6 felony.) Clark was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but four days suspended and given four days credit for time served. She was assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention and treatment fee. She was also placed on probation for 361 days.

Methamphetamine

Five Indiana residents were recently sentenced to serve time for possession of methamphetamine.

Anthony J. Pritchard, 47, 1213 Wayside Place, Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to possession of methamphetamine, a Level 3 felony. He was sentenced to 12 years in Indiana Department of Correction and given credit for time served. Pritchard was assessed $189 in court costs, fined $1 and charged $200 in drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fees. Pritchard 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, a habitual offender enhancement was dismissed.

Travis L. Stone, 50, 1019 West North St., Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to possession of methamphetamine, a Level 5 felony. He was sentenced to five years in Indiana Department of Correction with four years suspended. Stone was assessed $189 in court costs, fined $1 and charged $200 in drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fees. As part of his plea agreement, a Level 6 felony for maintaining a common nuisance, a Class C misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia and a habitual offender enhancement were dismissed.

In a separate case, Stone pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to another count of possession of methamphetamine, a Level 5 felony. He was sentenced to five years in Indiana Department of Correction and given credit for time served. Stone was assessed $189 in court costs, fined $1 and charged $200 in drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fees. As part of his plea agreement, a Class A misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia and a habitual offender enhancement were dismissed.

Teresa Nikole (Allen) Antonio, 34, 2516 S. Como Road, Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to possession of methamphetamine, a Level 5 felony. She was sentenced to three years in Indiana Department of Correction and given credit for time served. Antonio was assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fee. She was recommended for purposeful incarceration, meaning upon completing a substance abuse treatment program, the court would consider modifying her sentence.

James E. Miller, 26, 3291 E 1200. S-90, Montpelier, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 545 days in Jay County Jail with all but 90 days of his sentence suspended and given two days credit for time served. He was fined $1, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fee. Miller was ordered to submit to an evaluation within 30 days of his sentencing for substance abuse counseling. He was placed on probation for 455 days. As part of his plea agreement, a Level 6 felony for obstruction of justice and a Class A misdemeanor for possession of marijuana were dismissed.

Blake I. Crabtree, 23, 2217 N. Milton St., Muncie, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but 10 days suspended and given 10 days credit for time served. He was fined $1, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fee. Crabtree was ordered to submit to an evaluation within 30 days of his sentencing for substance abuse counseling. He was placed on probation for one year. As part of his plea agreement, a Level 6 felony for maintaining a common nuisance and a Class B misdemeanor for possession of marijuana were dismissed.