Felony court news - Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024

Failed to register

A Portland man was sentenced to prison for failing to register as a sex offender.

Carl E. Conner III, 41, 131 N Depo, pleaded guilty to the crime, a Level 5 felony.

As part of his plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed: a Level 6 felony for possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony unlawful possession of a syringe, a Class C misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia and a habitual offender enhancement.

He was sentenced to 3.5 years in Indiana Department of Correction with six months suspended. Conner was given credit for time served and assessed $189 in court costs.

Forfeiture

A rural Redkey man was sentenced to prison for driving a vehicle after forfeiting his license for life.

Ernest H. Eicher, 60, 5911 W. 800 South, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to the Level 5 felony. He was sentenced to 1,460 in Indiana Department of Correction with all but 730 days suspended and given 247 days credit for time served. Eicher was assessed $189.50 in court costs and placed on probation for 730 days. As part of his plea agreement, a Class A misdemeanor for operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.15% or more was dismissed.

Dependent neglect

A Portland woman was sentenced to serve time after pleading guilty in court for neglect of a dependent.

Trista L. Carreno, 35, 2367 West Indiana 26, Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to neglect of a dependent, a Level 6 felony. She was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but 58 days suspended and given 58 days credit for time served. Carreno was fined $1, assessed $189 in court costs and placed on probation for 307 days. As part of her plea agreement, two Level 6 felonies for two counts of neglect of a dependent were dismissed.

In a separate case, Carreno pleaded guilty to another count of neglect of a dependent, a Level 6 felony. She was sentenced to one year in Indiana Department of Corrections with all but 30 days suspended and given 30 days credit for time served. She was fined $1, assessed $189 in court costs and placed on probation for 335 days.

Strangulation

A Montpelier man was sentenced to prison for strangulation.

Keiton M. Stacy, 23, 1417 E. Indiana 18, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to the Level 5 felony. He was sentenced to three years in Indiana Department of Correction and given credit for time served. Stacy was assessed $189 in court costs.

Battery

A Portland man was sentenced to prison after pleading guilt to battery.

Caleb M. Schlechty, 18, 131 E. Floral Ave, Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to battery on a public safety officer, a Level 5 felony. He was sentenced to three years in Indiana Department of Correction with all but one year suspended and given credit for time served. Schlechty was assessed $189 in court costs. As part of his plea agreement, two Class A misdemeanors for theft and resisting law enforcement were dismissed.

Domestic battery

Several Jay County residents were sentenced to serve time after pleading guilty in Jay courts to domestic battery.

Seth N. Mills, 27, 5739 E. 400 South, Salamonia, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to domestic battery, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 545 days in Jay County Jail and given 94 days credit for time served. Mills was assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention and treatment fee. He was placed on probation for one year.

Jeffery A. Roser, 45, 520 East North St., Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to domestic battery, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 910 days in Jay County Jail with all but 32 days suspended and given 32 days credit for time served. Roser was fined $25, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention and treatment fee. He was placed on probation for 878 days. As part of his plea agreement, a Class A misdemeanor for resisting law enforcement was dismissed.

Dakota C. Nicklay, 31, 200 E. South St., Pennville, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to domestic battery, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 730 days in Indiana Department of Correction. Nicklay 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 criminal trespassing was dismissed.

Donald Whittaker Jr., 36, 243 East Highland Ave., Dunkirk, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to domestic battery, a Level 5 felony. He was sentenced to five years in Indiana Department of Correction with two years suspended and given credit for time served. Whittaker was fined $1, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention fee. The court recommended he be evaluated and treated for mental health concerns.

Jeffrey A. Roser, 45, 520 East North St., Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to domestic battery, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 910 days in Jay County Jail with all but 32 days of his sentence suspended and given 32 days credit for time served. Roser was assessed $189 in court costs, fined $25 and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention and treatment fee. As part of his plea agreement, a Class A misdemeanor for resisting law enforcement was dismissed.

Burglary

A Redkey man was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty in Jay Circuit Court to burglary.

William A. Lawhorn, 52, 253 E. Bell Ave., pleaded guilty but mentally ill to the Level 4 felony. He was sentenced to eight years in Indiana Department of Correction and given credit for time served. Lawhorn was fined $1 and assessed $189 in court costs. He was also ordered to pay $2,316.42 in restitution to the benefit of Richelle Reynolds. As part of his plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed: a Level 6 felony for residential entry, a Level 6 felony for confinement, a Class A misdemeanor for resisting law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor for criminal mischief, three Class B misdemeanors for three other counts of criminal mischief and a habitual offender enhancement.