Farley gets a 7-year sentence

A Portland man will serve time in prison for confining a woman without her consent.

Life T. Farley, 20, 118 W. 2nd St., was sentenced Wednesday in Jay Circuit Court to seven years in Indiana Department of Correction for confining his former partner and the mother of his children in February.

Farley pleaded guilty in July to criminal confinement with moderate bodily injury, a Level 4 felony. His charge was reduced from a Level 3 felony for criminal confinement resulting in serious bodily injury. 

He had also been facing a Level 1 felony for rape when compelled by force or imminent threat of force resulting in serious bodily injury — it carries a 20 to 40-year sentence — a Level 5 felony for domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury and a Level 6 felony for domestic battery committed in the presence of a child younger than 16 years old, all of which were dismissed as a part of his plea agreement.

According to information originally filed in connection with the case, Farley confined the woman on or about Feb. 9. He also, according to court documents, allegedly had sexual intercourse with her and punched, slapped and kicked her. 

The woman had been in a relationship with Farley for about four years. She explained in court Wednesday that she has been impacted on all levels — physically, mentally, emotionally, financially and more — as a result of Farley’s actions. 

“I was broken down as a person,” she said.

The woman said their children, as well as Farley’s three nieces and nephew, were also in the house when he allegedly struck her in the face.

She added that their 2-year-old son now has night terrors.

“I just feel that is unfair that my children have to live through a situation like that,” she said, adding that it has made the children see Farley in a different light.

She said she worries for women who get into relationships with Farley in the future, and she asked Jay Circuit Court Judge Brian Hutchison to give the maximum sentence — 12 years for a Level 4 felony.

County attorney Wes Schemenaur pointed to the hardships the woman and her children have gone through as a result of the crime, and he requested a 10-year sentence with a small portion of the sentence suspended.

A no-contact order between the woman and Farley was issued Feb. 29. The woman requested another order be issued Wednesday, saying she believes Farley will attempt to retaliate against her.

Public defender Brandon Murphy noted Farley, who previously worked at FCC in Portland, has no prior arrests or convictions. He pointed to Farley’s age as another mitigating factor. Murphy also said most of the hardships placed on the woman and their children were caused after the incident because of the criminal justice system.

Farley asked if it could be arranged in the no-contact order for him to speak with his children. He also apologized for the effect his actions had on his children.

Hutchison said Farley’s age is a mitigating factor, explaining that his “brain is not fully mature” yet, as well as his lack of a criminal record. He commended him for maintaining employment.

However, Hutchison noted, “domestic abusers reoffend all the time,” and pointed to the lasting impact on Farley’s children and their mother. 

Three years of Farley’s seven-year sentence were suspended. Farley was placed on probation and given credit for time served since Feb. 16. He was also assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence fee.