Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A Bremen man will serve six years in prison for engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct with a child.
Michael David Bollenbacher, 39, of 903 N. Center St., lot 9, Bremen, was charged with sexual misconduct with a minor, a level 4 felony. A second sexual misconduct with a minor charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Bollenbacher was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court I on Thursday, April 9.
Kosciusko Superior Court I Judge Karin McGrath sentenced Bollenbacher to six years in the Indiana Department of Correction. A no-contact order between Bollenbacher and the victim remains in effect. Bollenbacher must also register as a sex offender.
In this case, Bollenbacher has 343 days of jail time credit.
At sentencing, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Sobek read the victim’s impact statement.
“What happened to me has had a significant impact on my life,” said the statement. “It’s hard to think about what happened without getting overwhelmed.”
The child said they’re in therapy and on medication as a result of Bollenbacher’s actions.
“Day-to-day life is hard,” continued the statement. “Things that used to be easy feel hard now. Emotionally, it’s exhausting. There are times even now where I feel hopeless, and it’s hard to trust anyone. I’m still dealing with this … healing isn’t simple and it’s not quick. I’m the one who got a life sentence. This has affected how I feel, how I think, and live my life. I’m trying to move forward and heal but that’s going to take time.”
Sobek described the crime as “horrendous” and that “there’s a reason why we’re only talking about prison” for Bollenbacher’s sentence.
Defense attorney Cory Spreen had no issues with Bollenbacher’s plea agreement, noting Bollenbacher has a pending Level 1 felony child molestation case out of Marshall County.
Affidavit Of Probable Cause
In April 2025, Warsaw Police officers were alerted to a report of Bollenbacher engaging in suspicious activity involving a child.
According to court documents, in a search of the child’s phone, officers found several messages from April 2025 believed to be from Bollenbacher. During that time, the child disclosed Bollenbacher engaged in sexual activity with them.
They said Bollenbacher also gave them illegal drugs and controlled substances, including meth, marijuana and spice. The child also stated they and Bollenbacher were at a Warsaw hotel in winter 2024, with the child waking up in Bollenbacher’s bed.
