Akron Woman Found Guilty Of 3 Theft Charges In Jury Trial
August 28, 2024 at 4:42 p.m.
An Akron woman was found guilty on three criminal charges related to local thefts in Kosciusko County.
Nikita Deseree Nelson, 25, of 775 S. CR 900E, Akron, was found guilty of theft of a firearm, a level 5 felony; and two counts of theft, both level 6 felonies.
Nelson's case was heard during a two-day jury trial in Kosciusko Superior Court I on Aug. 26-27.
The state's case was presented by Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton. Defense attorney Joseph Bauer was Nelson's legal counsel.
Nelson's sentencing will take place at 10 a.m. Sept. 26.
On March 28, 2023, law enforcement served a search warrant at a Fulton County residence regarding burglaries which occurred in Fulton and Kosciusko counties. Nelson, the residence's homeowner, gave officers permission to search her cell phone.
A Warsaw detective analyzed Nelson's cell phone on March 29, 2023. During the search, the officer found a photograph taken on March 16, 2023, that showed a bow and arrows. According to court documents, the detective sent the picture to a Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office detective who responded to a burglary at a Pierceton residence on March 16, 2023. In that incident, firearms, money and compound bows were stolen.
The Pierceton residence's owner confirmed the bow and arrows shown in the March 16, 2023, photo belonged to him, with the items valued around $2,800.
The Warsaw detective also found a photo on Nelson's phone taken March 22, 2023, which showed three rings and a necklace. These pieces of jewelry appeared to match those reported stolen from Bowers Jewelry on March 10, 2023. Bowers Jewelry representatives confirmed those were the items stolen, valuing them at $3,353.
Upon further investigation, the detective also found pictures of firearms on Nelson's phone. These pictures were taken on Feb. 11, 2023. Around Nov. 26, 2022, a man reported multiple firearms being stolen from his residence. After looking at the pictures, the man identified seven of the firearms as his, valuing them around $5,000.
According to a news release from the Warsaw Police Department, an intensive investigation conducted by WPD, KCSO, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office and Indiana State Police resulted in Nelson's apprehension. Corresponding charges are likely forthcoming for additional related suspects in Kosciusko and Fulton counties.
Anyone with relevant information regarding this investigation should contact WPD's detective division at 574-385-2206.
An Akron woman was found guilty on three criminal charges related to local thefts in Kosciusko County.
Nikita Deseree Nelson, 25, of 775 S. CR 900E, Akron, was found guilty of theft of a firearm, a level 5 felony; and two counts of theft, both level 6 felonies.
Nelson's case was heard during a two-day jury trial in Kosciusko Superior Court I on Aug. 26-27.
The state's case was presented by Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton. Defense attorney Joseph Bauer was Nelson's legal counsel.
Nelson's sentencing will take place at 10 a.m. Sept. 26.
On March 28, 2023, law enforcement served a search warrant at a Fulton County residence regarding burglaries which occurred in Fulton and Kosciusko counties. Nelson, the residence's homeowner, gave officers permission to search her cell phone.
A Warsaw detective analyzed Nelson's cell phone on March 29, 2023. During the search, the officer found a photograph taken on March 16, 2023, that showed a bow and arrows. According to court documents, the detective sent the picture to a Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office detective who responded to a burglary at a Pierceton residence on March 16, 2023. In that incident, firearms, money and compound bows were stolen.
The Pierceton residence's owner confirmed the bow and arrows shown in the March 16, 2023, photo belonged to him, with the items valued around $2,800.
The Warsaw detective also found a photo on Nelson's phone taken March 22, 2023, which showed three rings and a necklace. These pieces of jewelry appeared to match those reported stolen from Bowers Jewelry on March 10, 2023. Bowers Jewelry representatives confirmed those were the items stolen, valuing them at $3,353.
Upon further investigation, the detective also found pictures of firearms on Nelson's phone. These pictures were taken on Feb. 11, 2023. Around Nov. 26, 2022, a man reported multiple firearms being stolen from his residence. After looking at the pictures, the man identified seven of the firearms as his, valuing them around $5,000.
According to a news release from the Warsaw Police Department, an intensive investigation conducted by WPD, KCSO, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office and Indiana State Police resulted in Nelson's apprehension. Corresponding charges are likely forthcoming for additional related suspects in Kosciusko and Fulton counties.
Anyone with relevant information regarding this investigation should contact WPD's detective division at 574-385-2206.