May 6, 2021 at 4:23 p.m.
Thursday, May 6, 2021
Felony court news
Child solicitation
A Portland man was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to child solicitation, a Level 5 felony, in Jay Circuit Court.
Christopher G.D. Morgan, 33, 912 N. Ben Hawkins St., was sentenced to six years in Indiana Department of Correction with three years suspended and given credit for times served from Jan. 10 through April 23. He was placed on probation, fined $1, assessed court costs of $185 and ordered to pay a $500 sexual assault victims advocate fee.
As part of his plea agreement, a Level 6 felony charge for dissemination of matter harmful to minors was dismissed.
Battery
A Dunkirk man was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to battery resulting in bodily injury to a public safety official, a Level 5 felony, in Jay Circuit Court.
Michael L. Bechert, 62, 418 E. Center St., was sentenced to three years in Indiana Department of Correction with one year suspended and given credit for two days served. He was assessed court costs of $185.
Indiana Department of Correction was directed by the court to provide Bechert with an anger management evaluation and treatment. As part of his plea agreement, a Class A misdemeanor charge for resisting law enforcement was dismissed.
Drunk driving
A Portland man was sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Level 6 felony, in Jay Superior Court.
Skyler A. Prescott, 26, 617 W. 2nd St., was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but 90 days suspended and given six days credit for three days served. He was placed on probation for 275 days and ordered to serve 80 days of his sentence on house arrest. He was fined $1, assessed court costs of $185.50, ordered to pay a $200 alcohol and drug countermeasures fee and ordered to submit an evaluation within 30 days of his release for substance abuse counseling.
The court recommended Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles suspend Prescott’s license for 90 days retroactive to Oct. 22, 2019. As part of his plea agreement, a Level 6 felony charge of operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or more and a Class B misdemeanor for leaving the scene of an accident were dismissed.
Theft
An Ohio man was sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to theft, a Level 6 felony, in Jay Superior Court.
Hayden M. Hensel, 28, 115 E. Lower St., Union City, Ohio, was sentenced to 18 months in Jay County Jail with all but nine months suspended and given nine months credit for 4.5 months served. He was placed on probation for nine months and assessed court costs of $185.
Unlawful firearm
A Portland man was sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a Level 4 felony, in Jay Circuit Court.
Dustan L. Chapman, 39, 1147 N. US 27, was sentenced to eight years in Indiana Department of Correction with four years suspended and given credit for 60 days served. He was fined $1 and assessed $185 in court costs.
As part of his plea agreement, a Class C misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia was dismissed.
A Portland man was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to child solicitation, a Level 5 felony, in Jay Circuit Court.
Christopher G.D. Morgan, 33, 912 N. Ben Hawkins St., was sentenced to six years in Indiana Department of Correction with three years suspended and given credit for times served from Jan. 10 through April 23. He was placed on probation, fined $1, assessed court costs of $185 and ordered to pay a $500 sexual assault victims advocate fee.
As part of his plea agreement, a Level 6 felony charge for dissemination of matter harmful to minors was dismissed.
Battery
A Dunkirk man was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to battery resulting in bodily injury to a public safety official, a Level 5 felony, in Jay Circuit Court.
Michael L. Bechert, 62, 418 E. Center St., was sentenced to three years in Indiana Department of Correction with one year suspended and given credit for two days served. He was assessed court costs of $185.
Indiana Department of Correction was directed by the court to provide Bechert with an anger management evaluation and treatment. As part of his plea agreement, a Class A misdemeanor charge for resisting law enforcement was dismissed.
Drunk driving
A Portland man was sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Level 6 felony, in Jay Superior Court.
Skyler A. Prescott, 26, 617 W. 2nd St., was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but 90 days suspended and given six days credit for three days served. He was placed on probation for 275 days and ordered to serve 80 days of his sentence on house arrest. He was fined $1, assessed court costs of $185.50, ordered to pay a $200 alcohol and drug countermeasures fee and ordered to submit an evaluation within 30 days of his release for substance abuse counseling.
The court recommended Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles suspend Prescott’s license for 90 days retroactive to Oct. 22, 2019. As part of his plea agreement, a Level 6 felony charge of operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or more and a Class B misdemeanor for leaving the scene of an accident were dismissed.
Theft
An Ohio man was sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to theft, a Level 6 felony, in Jay Superior Court.
Hayden M. Hensel, 28, 115 E. Lower St., Union City, Ohio, was sentenced to 18 months in Jay County Jail with all but nine months suspended and given nine months credit for 4.5 months served. He was placed on probation for nine months and assessed court costs of $185.
Unlawful firearm
A Portland man was sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a Level 4 felony, in Jay Circuit Court.
Dustan L. Chapman, 39, 1147 N. US 27, was sentenced to eight years in Indiana Department of Correction with four years suspended and given credit for 60 days served. He was fined $1 and assessed $185 in court costs.
As part of his plea agreement, a Class C misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia was dismissed.
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