A North Webster man will serve eight years in prison after he tried to set a house on fire in Leesburg in September 2023.
During a two-day jury trial in early August, Ricky Alan Shepherd, 60, North Webster, was found guilty of attempted arson, a level 4 felony; intimidation, a level 6 felony; resisting law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor; and public intoxication, a class B misdemeanor.
Shepherd was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court I on Thursday.
In total, Shepherd received a 12-year sentence at the Indiana Department of Correction, with eight years executed and four years suspended on probation. Shepherd has 137 days of jail time credit.
As part of the sentencing order, Kosciusko Superior Court I Judge Karin McGrath said a no-contact order between Shepherd and the family involved in this incident remains in effect. Shepherd is also trespassed from the property he attempted to commit arson at.
At the sentencing, a woman who lives in the home Shepherd attempted to burn gave a victim impact statement. She said she resided in the home with her husband and several of her relatives, including a young grandchild. The woman also testified about how Shepherd's actions have impacted her and her family, leading the family to take shifts sleeping and get a security camera system.
"We never imagined that us helping him when he was lost would end with him trying to set our house on fire," said the woman. "I try not to wonder about the what-ifs."
The woman asked McGrath to consider psychiatric help for Shepherd as part of his sentence.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Sobek noted Shepherd's extensive criminal history, which includes convictions for battery, public intoxication and resisting law enforcement. He requested Shepherd receive a lengthy prison sentence.
"Our society deserves to be safe," said Sobek.
Defense attorney Jay Rigdon asked for the court to consider an adequate sentence for Shepherd, saying Shepherd took a "pretty pitiful step at attempted arson."
"What is ultimately regretful and unfortunate is the impact this had on the victim and her family," said Rigdon.
McGrath said she was troubled by the case's facts and the emotional aftermath for the woman and her family.
"Indications that this was possibly racially motivated are horrifying," said McGrath.
Affidavit Of Probable Cause
On Sept. 6, 2023, officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office and North Webster Police Department responded to a report of a man attempting to set a residence in Leesburg on fire.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers saw Shepherd walking down a nearby road. According to court documents, Shepherd resisted being handcuffed while threatening to fight and kill the police.
A woman said Shepherd repeatedly walked through her yard and made obscene gestures. She also said Shepherd yelled racial slurs at a man who resided there.
The woman was later informed by a neighbor that Shepherd tried to burn down her house. The neighbor initially thought Shepherd made the story up, but Shepherd said to check around the woman's house for the area he tried to burn. Shepherd showed the neighbor evidence of a burnt plate and matches he left near the home. The plate was about 6 to 8 inches away from the residence and 12 inches away from gas lines and other electrical equipment.
While being taken to a local hospital for medical clearance, Shepherd was rude to hospital staff and attempted to leave the hospital by pushing his body against a police officer’s.