Thursday, May 2, 2024 - Felony arrests

Sexual misconduct

A Jay County Jail correctional officer was arrested Tuesday for sexual misconduct by a service provider with detainee.

William B. Bentz, 35, 2267 S. U.S. 27, Portland, was preliminarily charged with a Level 5 felony. He was released on a $10,000 bond from the jail.

Bentz, who has worked for the department since 2023, is the second correctional officer this year to be accused of sexual misconduct with an inmate. (John Richard Norris was charged in Jay Circuit Court on Feb. 21 with the same crime.)

Probation violation

A Portland man was arrested Tuesday for violating his probation.

Robert L. Rivers, 36, 510 E. Race St., was found guilty in Jay Circuit Court of battery resulting in bodily injury to a public safety official, a Level 5 felony, as well as domestic battery, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to four years in Indiana Department of Correction with three years suspended. A petition alleging he violated the conditions of his probation was filed in court Monday.

Rivers was being held without bond in Jay County Jail.

Failed to appear

A Portland man was arrested Tuesday for failing to appear in court.

Austin M. George, 21, 1212 N. Franklin St., is charged in Jay Superior Court with a with two Level 6 felonies for possession of a narcotic drug and unlawful possession of a syringe, and in a separate case he’s charged with a Level 6 felony for possession of methamphetamine. He failed to appear in court Tuesday.

George was being held without bond in Jay County Jail.

Theft

A Huntington man was arrested Monday for theft.

Matthew A. Cook, 32, 320 N. Court St., was preliminarily charged with a Level 6 felony. He was being held on a $3,000 bond in Jay County Jail.