Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 - Felony Court News

Domestic battery

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

Andrew R. Busz, 40, 204 E. Water St., Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to two counts of domestic battery, a Level 6 felony and a Class A misdemeanor. He was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but 120 days suspended and given 74 days credit for time served. Busz was placed on probation for 245 days, fined $1, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention and treatment fee.

Lucas W. Wittkamp, 45, Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to domestic battery, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 910 days in Indiana Department of Correction with 390 days suspended and given 520 days credit for time served. He was fined $25 and charged $569 in court costs and filing fees. As part of his plea agreement, two counts of domestic battery, both Level 6 felonies, were dismissed.

Methamphetamine

An Ohio woman was sentenced to jail for possession of methamphetamine.

Rachel N. Yates, 37, 281 6th St., Barberton, Ohio, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony. She was sentenced to 545 days in Jay County Jail with all but 180 days suspended and given 180 days credit for time served. Yates was fined $1, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fee. 

She was also ordered to submit to an evaluation within 30 days for substance abuse counseling. Yates was placed on probation for one year. 

As part of her plea agreement, a Level 6 felony for maintaining a common nuisance, a Class A misdemeanor for possession of marijuana and a Class C misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia were dismissed.