Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 - Felony courts

Battery

Four Jay County men were sentenced to serve time for battery.

John A.E. Fields, 25, 637 North Elm St., Dunkirk, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to battery on a public safety official, a Level 5 felony. He was sentenced to three years in Indiana Department of Correction and given credit for time served. Fields was fined $1 and assessed $189 in court costs.

Joshua A. Guntle, 36, 5826 E. 400 South, Salamonia, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to domestic battery by means of a deadly weapon, a Level 5 felony. He was sentenced to four years in Indiana Department of Correction and given credit for time served. Guntle was assessed $189 in court costs. He was recommended for purposeful incarceration, meaning upon completing a substance abuse treatment program the court would consider modifying his sentence. As part of his plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed: a Level 3 felony for criminal confinement while armed with a deadly weapon, a Level 6 felony for domestic battery committed in the presence of a child younger than 16, and a habitual offender enhancement.

Joseph Steed, 19, 1320 Meadow Lane, Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor. Steed was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but 110 days suspended and given 110 days credit for time served. Steed was fined $25, assessed $189 in court costs, ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention and treatment fee and placed on probation for 255 days. As part of his plea agreement, a Level 6 felony charge for strangulation was dismissed.

Daniel R. Miller, 29, 1 South Union Street, Redkey, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to two counts of domestic battery, both Level 6 felonies, and leaving the scene of an accident, a Class B misdemeanor. Miller was sentenced to 1,460 days in Indiana Department of Correction and given 452 days credit for time served. He was fined $1, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention and treatment fee. Miller was also ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution to the benefit of Donna Skinner. As part of his plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed: two counts of intimidation, both Level 6 felonies, and invasion of privacy, a Class A misdemeanor.