Warsaw Man Sentenced for Bar Fight, Forgery and Theft
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Kaitie Vanderpool-
According to police and court documents, Joe Garrett Swanson, then 28, was arrested in May 2012 after he allegedly was approached by another Warsaw man at a local bar who offered to fight Swanson for cash. Swanson told the man to go outside where he allegedly punched the man in his face and proceeded to get into his vehicle. The man then approached the vehicle and Swanson got out and punched the man in the face again. The fight left the man in serious condition.
Swanson was preliminarily charged with aggravated battery, which could have resulted in six to 20 years in prison, though the charge was reduced to criminal recklessness during sentencing, earning Swanson one year in the Indiana Department of Corrections.
In July 2012, Swanson was charged with three counts of forgery and three counts of theft after he allegedly stole six referral checks from his employer, Auto Park, and cashed them in his name. All six counts could have amounted in 36 years in prison, though Swanson later accepted a plea agreement and was sentenced to one year in the IDOC for one charge of theft.
Kosciusko County Superior Court Judge Duane G. Huffer ordered the following:
Swanson was found guilty of theft – a Class D felony, and sentenced to a year in the Indiana Department of Corrections with credit for jail time served of one day. Swanson also was found guilty of criminal recklessness – also a Class D felony, and was sentenced to one year in the IDOC to be served concurrently with the previous conviction.
The sentence in the IDOC was suspended with Swanson to serve six months in home detention subject to all rules and regulations of home detention and to pay all fees required for it. The remaining six months are to be served on probation under the standard conditions of probation with additional fees. Swanson may not consume alcoholic beverages or be present in a bar or tavern during this time and will pay all court costs.
There will be no time served in the IDOC.
[[In-content Ad]]
According to police and court documents, Joe Garrett Swanson, then 28, was arrested in May 2012 after he allegedly was approached by another Warsaw man at a local bar who offered to fight Swanson for cash. Swanson told the man to go outside where he allegedly punched the man in his face and proceeded to get into his vehicle. The man then approached the vehicle and Swanson got out and punched the man in the face again. The fight left the man in serious condition.
Swanson was preliminarily charged with aggravated battery, which could have resulted in six to 20 years in prison, though the charge was reduced to criminal recklessness during sentencing, earning Swanson one year in the Indiana Department of Corrections.
In July 2012, Swanson was charged with three counts of forgery and three counts of theft after he allegedly stole six referral checks from his employer, Auto Park, and cashed them in his name. All six counts could have amounted in 36 years in prison, though Swanson later accepted a plea agreement and was sentenced to one year in the IDOC for one charge of theft.
Kosciusko County Superior Court Judge Duane G. Huffer ordered the following:
Swanson was found guilty of theft – a Class D felony, and sentenced to a year in the Indiana Department of Corrections with credit for jail time served of one day. Swanson also was found guilty of criminal recklessness – also a Class D felony, and was sentenced to one year in the IDOC to be served concurrently with the previous conviction.
The sentence in the IDOC was suspended with Swanson to serve six months in home detention subject to all rules and regulations of home detention and to pay all fees required for it. The remaining six months are to be served on probation under the standard conditions of probation with additional fees. Swanson may not consume alcoholic beverages or be present in a bar or tavern during this time and will pay all court costs.
There will be no time served in the IDOC.
[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092