Joe Garrett Swanson will be in Kosciusko County Superior Court I Thursday for his initial hearing regarding his involvement in a bar fight Friday.
Swanson, 28, Warsaw, is charged with aggravated battery, a Class B felony, in connection with a bar fight early Friday morning at a Warsaw bar. Swanson allegedly broke Nicholas S. Phillips’ jaw and nose, causing bleeding on the brain and left Phillips in serious condition.
Phillips, 28, Warsaw, is now in fair condition.
Swanson turned himself in Friday afternoon and bonded out the same day.
According to the probable cause affidavit released by the Kosciusko Prosecutor’s Office, Swanson and Phillips was at a local bar when Phillips approached Swanson to fight for cash. Phillips allegedly told Swanson he would fight him for $10,000. Swanson told Phillips that they could go outside and fight.
Swanson allegedly punched Phillips in the face, then took off his shirt and got into a Chevrolet Avalanche. Phillips then approached the vehicle and Swanson got out of the vehicle and punched Phillips in the face again.
A Warsaw Police Department officer was on patrol in the area when he saw a man he knew to be Swanson punch Phillips. The officers instructed Swanson to return to the bar as he was running away.
If Swanson is convicted of aggravated battery, he could serve between six and 20 years in prison.
