Thursday, March 20, 2024 - Felony arrests

Strangulation

A Portland man was placed on probation for nearly a year for strangulation.

Armando Gallegos-Vargas, 22, 119 East Elder St., pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to the Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with 363 days suspended and given two days credit for time served. 

He was assessed $189 in court costs, fined $25 and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention and treatment fee. Gallegos-Vargas was placed on probation for 363 days. As part of his plea agreement, a Class A misdemeanor for domestic battery was dismissed.

Domestic battery

A Portland man was sentenced to serve just under two months in jail for domestic battery.

Joshua A. Bonifas, 38, 1661 W. 650 South, Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to the Class A misdemeanor, which was lessened from a Level 5 felony. He was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but 60 days suspended and given four days credit for time served. 

Bonifas was assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $50 domestic violence prevention fee. As part of his plea agreement, a Level 6 felony for domestic battery and a habitual offender enhancement were dismissed.

Intimidation

A Pennville man was placed on probation after pleading guilty to intimidation.

Christopher A. Bessesen, 35, 110 East South St., pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to intimidation, a Class A misdemeanor. (His charge was originally filed as a Level 6 felony.) 

Bessesen was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but two days suspended and given two days credit for time served. He was placed on probation for 363 days, fined $1 and assessed $189 in court costs.

Resisting police

An Albany man was placed on probation after pleading guilty to resisting police.

Ashton E. Branham, 19, 320 North Foster Avenue, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to resisting law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor. (As part of the plea agreement, the charge was lessened from a Level 6 felony.) 

Branham was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but two days suspended and given two days credit for time served. Branham was assessed $189.50 in court costs and placed on probation for 12 months. As part of his plea agreement, a Class C misdemeanor for reckless driving was dismissed.