Felony court news - Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Battery

Three people were sentenced to serve time for committing battery.

Kayla E. Hart was found guilty in Jay Superior Court of a Level 6 felony for battery on a person less than 14 years old, a Class A misdemeanor for criminal trespassing and a Class B misdemeanor for battery. She was sentenced to 730 days in Indiana Department of Correction. Hart was assessed $189 in court costs.

Michael P. Riddell, 42, 2017 E. Harvard Ave., Muncie, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to battery resulting in bodily injury, a Class A misdemeanor. He was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but 150 days suspended and given 104 days credit for time served. Riddell was assessed $189 in court costs. As part of his plea agreement, his charge was lessened from a Level 6 felony.

Chelsea R. Hummer (formerly known as Chelsea R. Johnson), 36, 1412 South Monroe St., Hartford City, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to battery against a public safety official. She was sentenced to 730 days in Jay County Jail with all but four days suspended and given four days credit for time served. Hummer was assessed $189 in court costs. As part of her plea agreement, a Class A misdemeanor for resisting law enforcement was dismissed.

Nonsupport

Several people were sentenced to serve time for nonsupport of a dependent child.

Benjamin N. Richman, 43, 3682 W. 300 North, Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to the Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 730 days in Jay County Jail with all but 146 days suspended and given 146 days credit for time served. Richman was assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay $13,857.89 in restitution to Brenda Reed.

Angela Costello, 36, 4265 W. 600 North, Bryant, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to the Level 6 felony.

She was sentenced to 730 days in Indiana Department of Correction with all but 116 days suspended and given credit for time served. Costello was assessed $189 in court costs.

Charlene E. Leist-Herald, 55, pleaded in Jay Superior Court to the Level 6 felony. She was sentenced to 730 days in Jay County Jail with all but 180 days suspended and given 166 days credit for time served. Leist-Herald was assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay $7,635.16 in restitution to Jason Ferguson.

Seth Chaffins, 38, 6246 W. Indiana 18, Bryant, pleaded in Jay Superior Court to the  Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 730 days in Jay County Jail with all but 180 days suspended and given 118 days credit for time served. Chaffins was assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay $18,944.75 in restitution to Brandy Feldhake.

Common nuisance

A Portland man was sentenced to jail for maintaining a common nuisance.

Dillion W. Stolz, 32, 5211 N. 350 East, Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to the Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 180 days in Jay County Jail and given 142 days credit for time served. Stolz was assessed $189 in court costs. 

As part of his plea agreement, a Level 6 felony for possession of methamphetamine, a Class B misdemeanor for possession of marijuana and a Class C misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia were dismissed.

Theft

Two women were sentenced to prison for theft.

Bethany J. Howard, 32, 128 W. Third St., Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to the Level 6 felony. She was sentenced to 450 days in Indiana Department of Correction, fined $25 and assessed $189 in court costs. As part of her plea agreement, a Class C misdemeanor for criminal trespassing was dismissed.

Raven N. Howard, 26, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to the Level 6 felony. She was sentenced to Indiana Department of Correction for four days and given four days credit. Howard was assessed $189 in court costs.