Nonsupport Suspects Rounded Up By Cops
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
One woman and nine men were arrested in a countywide sweep Wednesday night for nonsupport of dependents.
As part of the Kosciusko County prosecutor's war on deadbeat parents, the arrests represented more than $115,000 owed in back child support payments.
Twenty-five Class D felony charges of nonsupport were filed against 21 individuals; 10 of those people were located and arrested. Warrants are still outstanding for 11 individuals.
The total owed on all 25 charges is in excess of $230,000.
Prosecutor David Kolbe earlier this month announced a stepped-up campaign to collect delinquent child support. "Parents who refuse to support their kids is unacceptable," he said.
Arrested and charged Wednesday night were:
• Michelle Nicole Keplinger, 28, of North Second Street, Goshen, owing $13,732.29 (two children);
• Jason Wayne Stromatt, 21, of 804 N. Lake Street, Warsaw, owing $3,273.14 (one child);
• Anthony Wayne Pollard, 30, of 754 W. Walnut St., Nappanee, owing $8,202.40 (one child);
• Gary Ray Robinson, 51, of 314 Turkey Creek Drive, Milford, owing $52,800 (two children);
• James Martin Method, 33, of 664 Walterway, Apt. E, Warsaw, two charges totaling $11,411.30 (one child each charge);
• Ray Allen Trump, 38, of 4713 E. CR 100S, Pierceton, owing $4,037.69 (one child);
• John Dean Sutherlin, 27, of 1609 Fisher Ave., Warsaw, owing $1,089.27;
• Jay Alan Horn, 40, of 902 Park Ave., Winona Lake, owing $5,922 (one child).
Two men who were already in Kosciusko County Jail received additional charges of nonsupport:
• Ryan Winter, 920 Anchorage Road, Lot 24, Warsaw, two charges, owing $6,400.20 (one child each charge); and
• Michael Watson, 19 EMS B5A Lane, Leesburg, owing $9,052 (two children).
All those charged were given a bond of $1,000; Keplinger, Robinson and Pollard bonded out of jail Wednesday night.
A preliminary hearing was held in Kosciusko Circuit Court this morning for those who remained in jail. The three who bonded out will have their hearing Sept. 12 in Circuit Court.
Kolbe said Wednesday he expects most of the people charged to consent to plea agreements in which they can be put on probation and pay current support as well as catch up on the back support owed.
If not, or if they cannot be trusted to pay the back support, Kolbe said he will ask for prison sentences as a deterrent to others.
He also said he anticipates filing an additional 25 charges in approximately four weeks. [[In-content Ad]]
Latest News
E-Editions
One woman and nine men were arrested in a countywide sweep Wednesday night for nonsupport of dependents.
As part of the Kosciusko County prosecutor's war on deadbeat parents, the arrests represented more than $115,000 owed in back child support payments.
Twenty-five Class D felony charges of nonsupport were filed against 21 individuals; 10 of those people were located and arrested. Warrants are still outstanding for 11 individuals.
The total owed on all 25 charges is in excess of $230,000.
Prosecutor David Kolbe earlier this month announced a stepped-up campaign to collect delinquent child support. "Parents who refuse to support their kids is unacceptable," he said.
Arrested and charged Wednesday night were:
• Michelle Nicole Keplinger, 28, of North Second Street, Goshen, owing $13,732.29 (two children);
• Jason Wayne Stromatt, 21, of 804 N. Lake Street, Warsaw, owing $3,273.14 (one child);
• Anthony Wayne Pollard, 30, of 754 W. Walnut St., Nappanee, owing $8,202.40 (one child);
• Gary Ray Robinson, 51, of 314 Turkey Creek Drive, Milford, owing $52,800 (two children);
• James Martin Method, 33, of 664 Walterway, Apt. E, Warsaw, two charges totaling $11,411.30 (one child each charge);
• Ray Allen Trump, 38, of 4713 E. CR 100S, Pierceton, owing $4,037.69 (one child);
• John Dean Sutherlin, 27, of 1609 Fisher Ave., Warsaw, owing $1,089.27;
• Jay Alan Horn, 40, of 902 Park Ave., Winona Lake, owing $5,922 (one child).
Two men who were already in Kosciusko County Jail received additional charges of nonsupport:
• Ryan Winter, 920 Anchorage Road, Lot 24, Warsaw, two charges, owing $6,400.20 (one child each charge); and
• Michael Watson, 19 EMS B5A Lane, Leesburg, owing $9,052 (two children).
All those charged were given a bond of $1,000; Keplinger, Robinson and Pollard bonded out of jail Wednesday night.
A preliminary hearing was held in Kosciusko Circuit Court this morning for those who remained in jail. The three who bonded out will have their hearing Sept. 12 in Circuit Court.
Kolbe said Wednesday he expects most of the people charged to consent to plea agreements in which they can be put on probation and pay current support as well as catch up on the back support owed.
If not, or if they cannot be trusted to pay the back support, Kolbe said he will ask for prison sentences as a deterrent to others.
He also said he anticipates filing an additional 25 charges in approximately four weeks. [[In-content Ad]]