Felony court news - Friday, April 18, 2025

Resisting police

A Portland man was sentenced to prison for resisting law enforcement.

Christopher A. Loden, 40, 699 Katelynn Drive, Portland, 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. Loden was assessed $189 in court costs. 

As part of his plea agreement, a Level 6 felony for unlawful possession of a syringe and a Class C misdemeanor for operating a vehicle while intoxicated were dismissed.

Domestic battery

Two people were sentenced to jail for domestic battery charges.

Gregory A. Cash, 59, 903 E. Walnut St., Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to  domestic battery, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 180 days in Jay County Jail with all but eight days suspended and given credit for time served. Cash was assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention fee. As part of his plea agreement, Cash’s charge was lessened from a Level 5 felony.

Jennifer J. Morgan, 35, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to domestic battery on a person younger than 14 years old, a Level 6 felony. Morgan was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but four days suspended and given four days credit for time served. Morgan was fined $25, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention and treatment fee. She was placed on probation for 361 days.

Battery

Two Portland residents were sentenced to serve time for battery charges.

Michael D. Malyska, 29, 609 South Shank St., Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to battery resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 5 felony. He was sentenced to three years in Indiana Department of Correction and given credit for time served. Malyska was fined $1 and assessed $189 in court costs. As part of his plea agreement, two Level 3 felonies for criminal confinement and a Level 6 felony for strangulation were dismissed.

Hayley M. Hein, 24, 206 W. Main St., Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, a Level 6 felony. Hein was sentenced to 2.5 years in Jay County Jail with all her sentence suspended and given credit for time served. Hein was assessed $189 in court costs. As part of her plea agreement, her charge was lessened from a Level 5 felony.

Unlawful possession

A Dunkirk man was sentenced to jail for unlawful possession of a syringe.

Robert O. Patterson, 55, 102 E. Ohio St., Dunkirk, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to the Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 730 days in Jay County Jail with all but two days suspended and given two days credit for time served. 

Patterson was placed on probation for 728 days, fined $25 and assessed $189 in court costs.