Acquitted of three felonies, free until June sentencing
Posted
Craig Brosman-
Ivan Gonzalez was found guilty Friday afternoon in Kosciusko County Circuit Court, by a jury on three of the six counts he was charged with. Gonzalez, 30, 346 N. Jefferson St., Cromwell, was found guilty on two counts of intimidation, a Class D felony and visiting a common nuisance, a Class B misdemeanor. He was acquitted on one count of possession of cocaine, a Class D felony, neglect of a dependant, a Class C felony and intimidation a Class D felony. Gonzalez and his attorney were relieved at the verdict. Gonzalez hugged and thanked his attorney David Kolbe after the verdict was read and he was released. “We are pleased that he was acquitted on the most serious charges,” said Kolbe. “We will accept the verdict on the other charges and wait for the sentencing to do anything further.” Gonzalez was ordered to be back in Judge Rex Reed’s circuit court June 9, at 1 p.m. for sentencing. He is looking at between a year and six-and-a-half-years in prison. Gonzalez charged resulted from a Feb. 26 incident. Police alleged that Gonzalez threatened Fernando Lara Cruz’s life at a party on Ind. 15, Leesburg. Police had Lara Cruz show the police where he was threatened. Upon further investigation, law enforcement alleged that they found Gonzalez in a garage at the home of Baldemar Robles and Ruby Gonzalez with other people at a party where cocaine present. Robles and Gonzalez along with two other men were arrested as a result of the Feb. 26 incident. Police alleged that they found 10-12 pounds of marijuana as well. Inside the home police alleged they found nine children and more cocaine, along with more than $26,000 in cash. Police said while they were detaining Gonzalez he threatened the life of two officers. While on the stand, a sheriff’s deputy admitted he didn’t note those threats in a probable cause affidavit. The deputy also said he didn’t frisk, drug test or smell alcohol on Gonzalez. The jury took nearly 4.5 hours to reach its decision.
