Sheriff Sentencing Set For Tuesday; Heaton To Testify
May 22, 2017 at 5:22 p.m.
By Michael [email protected]
Rovenstine pleaded guilty to one count of felony intimidation in April as a part of a plea agreement. The agreement allows for special Judge Stephen Bowers to sentence Rovenstine as a misdemeanor.
Regardless of the sentence, Rovenstine will be removed from his position as county sheriff. Rovenstine’s ouster will bring to end a legacy of more than 30 years where either Rovenstine or his father, Al Rovenstine, has worked in the sheriff’s department.
The charges result from an investigation into former martial arts instructor Kevin Bronson.
Bronson was raising money for a movie about his life as a drug abuser and Aryan Brotherhood member and subsequent conversion to Christianity. Warsaw Police officer Paul Heaton began to investigate Bronson and his business partner, former Grace College professor Mark Soto, for illegal racketeering and intimidation to raise the funds.
After Bronson was arrested for possession of cocaine in December 2014, Heaton became concerned about alleged unmonitored calls and visits between the two men in the jail.
Heaton called Rovenstine to discuss the contact. Heaton secretly recorded the phone call. That phone call would prove to be Rovenstine’s downfall on the felony intimidation charge, but nine other charges, including bribery and official misconduct, were dismissed by prosecutors.
According to Indiana law, the intimidation charge becomes a felony if the victim is a law enforcement officer. Heaton is expected to testify at the sentencing.
At some point, KCSD began an investigation into Heaton’s conduct as a drug investigator, the results of which have never been made public.
Members of the community have written letters to Bowers on behalf of Rovenstine. Around 10 letters been filed with the court, speaking highly of Rovenstine and vouching for his character.
Special prosecutor Nelson Chipman is expected to attend the hearing. Chipman, the elected prosecutor in Marshall County, stepped away from the case due to health concerns. The case was handled by his deputies, Tami Napier and Matthew Sarber. The felony charge carries a penalty of six months to 2½ years. If Rovenstine is sentenced on the charge as a misdemeanor, it carries a penalty of up to a year in jail.
If sentenced as a misdemeanor, Rovenstine will keep his firearm and voting rights, according to county attorney Chad Miner.
After the sheriff’s office becomes vacant, former sheriff Rocky Goshert will run the department until a Republican caucus chooses the next sheriff. Any Kosciusko County Republican in good standing can file for the position.
Rovenstine pleaded guilty to one count of felony intimidation in April as a part of a plea agreement. The agreement allows for special Judge Stephen Bowers to sentence Rovenstine as a misdemeanor.
Regardless of the sentence, Rovenstine will be removed from his position as county sheriff. Rovenstine’s ouster will bring to end a legacy of more than 30 years where either Rovenstine or his father, Al Rovenstine, has worked in the sheriff’s department.
The charges result from an investigation into former martial arts instructor Kevin Bronson.
Bronson was raising money for a movie about his life as a drug abuser and Aryan Brotherhood member and subsequent conversion to Christianity. Warsaw Police officer Paul Heaton began to investigate Bronson and his business partner, former Grace College professor Mark Soto, for illegal racketeering and intimidation to raise the funds.
After Bronson was arrested for possession of cocaine in December 2014, Heaton became concerned about alleged unmonitored calls and visits between the two men in the jail.
Heaton called Rovenstine to discuss the contact. Heaton secretly recorded the phone call. That phone call would prove to be Rovenstine’s downfall on the felony intimidation charge, but nine other charges, including bribery and official misconduct, were dismissed by prosecutors.
According to Indiana law, the intimidation charge becomes a felony if the victim is a law enforcement officer. Heaton is expected to testify at the sentencing.
At some point, KCSD began an investigation into Heaton’s conduct as a drug investigator, the results of which have never been made public.
Members of the community have written letters to Bowers on behalf of Rovenstine. Around 10 letters been filed with the court, speaking highly of Rovenstine and vouching for his character.
Special prosecutor Nelson Chipman is expected to attend the hearing. Chipman, the elected prosecutor in Marshall County, stepped away from the case due to health concerns. The case was handled by his deputies, Tami Napier and Matthew Sarber. The felony charge carries a penalty of six months to 2½ years. If Rovenstine is sentenced on the charge as a misdemeanor, it carries a penalty of up to a year in jail.
If sentenced as a misdemeanor, Rovenstine will keep his firearm and voting rights, according to county attorney Chad Miner.
After the sheriff’s office becomes vacant, former sheriff Rocky Goshert will run the department until a Republican caucus chooses the next sheriff. Any Kosciusko County Republican in good standing can file for the position.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092