Felony court news - Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Child molestation

A Portland man was sentenced to nearly four decades in prison for child molesting and related crimes.

Nathan M. Ross, 42, was found guilty by a Jay Circuit Court jury of child molestation, a Level 1 felony, along with five counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, all Level 6 felonies.

He was sentenced to 38 years in Indiana Department of Correction and given credit for time served. Ross was assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $500 sexual assault victim assistance fee. Two additional Level 6 felony charges for contributing to the delinquency of a minor were dismissed.

Domestic battery

Two men were sentenced to serve time for domestic battery charges.

Shawn P. Southworth, 44, 106 W. Main St., Bryant, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to the Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail and given 90 days credit for time served. Southworth was fined $25, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention and treatment fee. As part of his plea agreement, a Level 6 felony for confinement was dismissed.

Juan Jesus Gaona Jr., 31, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to the Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to two years in Indiana Department of Correction and given credit for time served. Gaona was assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention fee.

Narcotic drug

A Portland woman was sentenced to jail for possession of a narcotic drug.

Kerry L. Meredith, 42, 5731 South U.S. 27, Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to the Level 6 felony. She was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail and given 250 days credit for time served. Meredith was assessed $189 in court costs, fined $25 and ordered to pay a $200 drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fee. As part of her plea agreement, a Level 6 felony for maintaining a common nuisance and a Class C misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia were dismissed.