Saturday, July 12, 2025 - Felony court news

Performing conduct

A Portland man was placed on probation for performing sexual conduct in the presence of a minor.

John Clem, 74, 604 S. Western Ave., pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to the Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 545 days in Indiana Department of Correction with all but eight days of his sentence suspended and given eight days credit for time served. Clem was assessed $189 in court costs and placed on probation for 537 days.

Dealing drugs

A Dunkirk woman was placed on house arrest for dealing methamphetamine.

Lissy M. McCord, 25, 337 S Indiana St., Dunkirk, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to the Level 5 felony. She was sentenced to three years in Indiana Department of Correction with all but four months of her sentence suspended and given credit for time served. She will spend the remainder of her sentence on home detention. 

McCord was also placed on probation for two years and eight months. She was fined $1, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fee. As part of her plea agreement, two Level 6 felonies for maintaining a common nuisance and unlawful possession of a syringe were dismissed.

Drunk driving

A Dunkirk woman was sentenced to jail for drunk driving.

Lindsay A. Trausch, 38, 435 N Haskell Road, Dunkirk, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Level 6 felony. She was sentenced to 730 days in Jay County Jail and given 256 days credit for time served, with the remainder of her sentence to be spent on home detention. Trausch was fined $25, assessed $189.50 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug and alcohol countermeasures fee. 

The court recommended Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles suspend her license for one year retroactive to Jan. 27. As part of her plea agreement, a Level 6 felony for driving a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or more, a Level 6 felony, and a Class A misdemeanor for driving with a suspended license were dismissed.

Drug possession

Two Indiana residents were sentenced to serve time for drug possession.

Danielle L. Ingram, 21, 628 E. Main St., Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to  possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony. She was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail and given credit for time served. Ingram was assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fee. As part of her plea agreement, two Level 6 felonies for possession of a narcotic drug and maintaining a common nuisance were dismissed.

Lucas J. Kelsay, 36, 1016 S. Webster St., Kokomo, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to possession of a narcotic drug, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 910 days in Indiana Department of Correction with all but one year suspended and given six days credit for time served. Kelsay will serve his sentence on home detention. He was assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fee. He was placed on probation for 545 days.