Courts | Journal Gazette

Will jobs be there for law school grads?

Rebecca S. Green — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 03:00:00 EST

Peter Alexander is tired of explaining it. But the question keeps coming up: Why does Indiana need another law school.

2nd Rome City man sentenced in unemployment-insurance fraud

The Journal Gazette — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:20:49 EST

A second Rome City man has pleaded guilty to unemployment insurance fraud, collecting benefits while working full-time, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development said today.

Woman hit with 8 bank fraud counts

Rebecca S. Green — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 03:00:00 EST

About two months ago, Tower Bank sued Kandi Biggins and her husband, claiming she stole tens of thousands of dollars in an effort to stay in their foreclosed home.

Guilty verdict in aborted bank heist

The Journal Gazette — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 03:00:00 EST

An Allen Superior Court jury convicted a Fort Wayne man Wednesday of the December attempted robbery of a Chase Bank branch. Adam J. Bigger, 28, of the 7000 block of Elmbrook Drive, was arrested in January after receiving a police tip.

Guilty plea heard in paycheck scam

The Journal Gazette — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 03:00:00 EST

A Crawfordsville man pleaded guilty Thursday in Allen Superior Court to corrupt business influence, admitting to being part of a scheme to steal money through a paycheck scam.

Rome City man pleads to unemployment-insurance fraud

The Journal Gazette — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:45:32 EST

A Rome City man has pleaded guilty to unemployment insurance fraud, collecting benefits while working full-time, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development said today.

Fort Wayne man gets 29 years in attempted bank heist

The Journal Gazette — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:08:58 EST

A Fort Wayne man has been sentenced to more than 29 years in prison for his role in an April 2012 attempted bank robbery in southwest Ohio, the U.S. Attorney for southern Ohio has announced.

16-year-old is charged with felony murder

Rebecca S. Green — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 03:00:00 EST

Sixteen-year-old Omar Ruffin faces a felony murder charge along with an attempted armed robbery charge for his role in a crime that left his friend dead.

Teenager charged as adult in robbery-related death

Rebecca S. Green — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:45:35 EST

Sixteen-year-old Omar Ruffin faces a felony murder charge, along with an attempted armed robbery charge, in connection with his role in a crime that left his friend dead.

Child molester sentenced to 19 years

Rebecca S. Green — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 06:38:38 EST

Repeat sex offender Daniel Taylor, 29, was sentenced to 19 years in prison Monday in Allen Superior Court.

Sexual offender draws 20 years

Rebecca S. Green — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 03:00:00 EST

Offering no explanation or apology after hearing tearful victim impact statements, a convicted sex offender seemed only concerned about how many years he thought he was spending in prison.

Death in DWI brings 3 years

Rebecca S. Green — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 03:00:00 EST

About 6 a.m. Sept. 29, 44-year old Melissa Aschliman drove her Volkswagen Beetle on Bluffton Road, headed to catch a flight to California to visit her boyfriend.

21-year-old high on pot in '11 head-on given 3 years

Rebecca S. Green — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 03:00:00 EST

In November 2011, Nicholas Bowers got high and got behind the wheel of his 1999 Mercury Cougar.

Woman admits insurance scam

The Journal Gazette — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 03:00:00 EST

In 2009, Nicole Putt was submitting claims from Innovative Professional Services to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Drug, gun counts draw 11-year term

The Journal Gazette — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 03:00:00 EST

A 33-year-old woman was sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison after she pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine and selling a gun to a convicted felon. Jennifer Santiago pleaded guilty in September to the charges.

Plea deal offered in cycle theft ring

The Journal Gazette — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 03:00:00 EST

Another man pleaded guilty in connection with a motorcycle theft ring operating in Fort Wayne last summer.

Felon, 30, hit with body armor count

Rebecca S. Green — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 03:00:00 EST

Shortly after the robbery of a PNC bank branch in Ossian, a vehicle was reported stolen in Fort Wayne.

Brutal beating means 40 years for Auburn man

Jeff Wiehe — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 03:00:00 EST

An Auburn man is facing a minimum of 40 years in prison for crushing another man's skull and stealing his car.

Huntington official has charges dropped

Jeff Wiehe — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 03:00:00 EST

A slew of charges filed against a Huntington County commissioner were dismissed late last week. Tom Wall had been facing seven misdemeanor counts of battery after being indicted by a grand jury last year.

Key figure in theft ring may skirt prison

Jeff Wiehe — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 03:00:00 EST

A 41-year-old Fort Wayne man once implicated as the leader of a motorcycle theft ring could avoid prison time with a plea agreement he made with Allen County prosecutors Monday.

Crash details in ex-officer's homicide trial to be weighed

Rebecca S. Green — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 03:00:00 EST

If the defense attorneys for suspended and incarcerated Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officer David Bisard want a jury to hear what a good guy he is, then prosecutors want the jury to hear about his April drunken-driving arrest.

October trial date set for Indianapolis officer

Rebecca S. Green — Fri, 31 May 2013 14:55:21 EST

An Oct. 14 trial date was set Friday in a Fort Wayne courtroom for Indianapolis Metropolitan police officer David Bisard, who faces charges stemming from a 2010 fatal wreck.

15-year term possible for robbery attempt

Rebecca S. Green — Fri, 31 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

In December, Eligha Billingsley tried to rob the Chosen Christian Beauty College to pay back money he owed to Deshawn Boykins. On Thursday, Billingsley, 29, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, admitting to waving a gun around and demanding money from the owner of the college.

Allen court using technology to aid potential jurors

Rebecca S. Green — Sun, 26 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Allen Superior Court will soon be testing the use of QR codes that would help potential jurors communicate with the courts.

Steel firms in lawsuit over tainted soil

Rebecca S. Green — Sun, 26 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

For nearly a century, a steel mill operated on Taylor Street, just southwest of downtown.

Superfund covers environmental cleanup

Rebecca S. Green — Sun, 26 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Valbruna Steel makes its claim for compensation against Joslyn Manufacturing under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. The act is more commonly known as superfund, enacted in 1980 to deal with serious environmental pollution.

Hitting ex with car nets woman 2 years

Rebecca S. Green — Sun, 26 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

A 22-year-old woman who ran down her ex-boyfriend in a parking lot and left him lying there with a broken leg will spend some time in prison.

Sex assault alters lives and futures of 4 friends

Rebecca S. Green — Sat, 25 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Three young men - once athletes and students at the University of Saint Francis – imprisoned and identified as sex offenders.

Inmate, local motel hit by victim's suit

Rebecca S. Green — Sat, 25 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Nearly two years ago, a convicted rapist attacked a woman near a set of railroad tracks between Fort Wayne and New Haven. Now the woman is suing him, and the motel where she was staying, which employed him.

Last defendant to serve 3 years in sex assault

Rebecca S. Green — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:30:03 EST

The third, and last, of the men accused in the October 2011 sexual assault of a woman at a party was sentenced Friday morning.

2nd man charged in armed bank heist

Rebecca S. Green — Fri, 24 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Another Fort Wayne man is in federal custody in connection with the February robbery of a PNC bank branch, which occurred about eight weeks after he was released from prison.

Second man sentenced in house party sex assault

Rebecca S. Green — Thu, 23 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Standing in his gray suit, Troy Turner turned to his victim in the front row of the Allen County Superior Courtroom on Wednesday and apologized.

3-year sentence given for role in gang rape at party

Rebecca S. Green — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:30:53 EST

FORT WAYNE - A former University of Saint Francis student was given a three-year sentence, with one year served and two years on probation, this morning in Allen Superior Court for his role in a 2011 sexual assault.

Molester, 75, nets 45 years in prison

Rebecca S. Green — Sat, 18 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

A 75-year-old man was sentenced Friday in Allen Superior Court to 45 years in prison after being convicted of multiple counts of child molesting.

DNA on gun brings bank-heist arrest

Rebecca S. Green — Fri, 17 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Three months after a group of men robbed the PNC bank branch on Coventry Lane, one man is in custody and facing federal charges. Early Thursday, law enforcement officers arrested Christopher Seals, 22, at an apartment in the 2200 block of Bowser Avenue.

Duo confesses to gun shop hold-up

The Journal Gazette — Thu, 16 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Two Fort Wayne men admitted to robbing a New Haven gun shop, each pleading guilty in U.S. District Court last week to robbery and using a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.

Woman sent to prison after club tussle

The Journal Gazette — Thu, 16 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

After receiving a suspended prison sentence in October for neglecting her child, a Fort Wayne woman found herself in trouble again.

Ex-Saint Francis football player gets 6 years in rape

Jeff Wiehe — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:21:26 EST

Former University of Saint Francis wide receiver Austin Bower on Monday received a six-year prison term for taking part in the rape of a woman in 2011.

Sex-misconduct plea calls for 20-year term

Jeff Wiehe — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:09:39 EST

A New Haven man accused of having a sexual relationship for several years with a girl, beginning when she was 13, is now facing 20 years in prison.

20-year sentence issued in jewelry-store robbery

Jeff Wiehe — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:54:50 EST

A Fort Wayne man received a 20-year prison sentence Monday for playing a role in a jewelry-store heist that left another man badly injured.

FBI raids tied to bust made in ’11

Rebecca S. Green — Sat, 11 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

FORT WAYNE -- Federal officials outlined the scope Friday of a drug trafficking ring revealed Thursday by a series of raids and unsealed indictments.

Sex offenses net 29 years in prison

The Journal Gazette — Sat, 11 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

A 38-year-old man was sentenced to 29 years in prison on two separate cases alleging sex offenses.

Sex offender pleads guilty to molesting

The Journal Gazette — Sat, 11 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Already convicted of a sex offense, 29-year-old Daniel Taylor pleaded guilty Friday in Allen Superior Court to child molesting and failing to register as a sex offender.

Plea deal set in DWI crash death

The Journal Gazette — Sat, 11 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

A 19-year-old man was taken into custody after he pleaded guilty Friday morning to causing death while driving drunk.

Scope of drug-trafficking ring unveiled

Rebecca S. Green — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:50:29 EST

Federal officials outlined the scope Friday of a drug trafficking ring revealed Thursday by a series of raids and unsealed indictments.

Conman sentenced to 6 years for bank fraud

Rebecca S. Green — Fri, 10 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Looking tired and weak, Douglas Martin took the microphone and gave his name and age to the court Thursday morning.

Officer in fatal DWI has bond revoked

Jeff Wiehe — Fri, 10 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

David Bisard hung his head and stared at the floor for the better part of an hour as his defense attorney fought to keep the embattled Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officer out of jail. It was a losing effort.

5 area sites part of FBI sting

Rebecca S. Green — Fri, 10 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Eighteen people were named in a dozen related federal indictments unsealed Thursday as part of a drug conspiracy investigation.

Officer arrested 2nd time must stay in jail

Charles Wilson — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:11:32 EST

INDIANAPOLIS - A suspended Indianapolis police officer who was arrested on drunken driving charges while awaiting trial in connection with a fatal 2010 crash will remain in jail.

Judge to consider bond request in officer’s DWI case

Associated Press — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:19:47 EST

FORT WAYNE - A judge in northeastern Indiana will decide whether to revoke the bond of a suspended Indianapolis police officer who was arrested on drunken driving charges while awaiting trial on similar charges connected with a fatal 2010 crash.

D'Arcy's will simple, with lone request

Rebecca S. Green — Wed, 08 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

In 2009, before he retired as bishop of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Roman Catholic Diocese, John D'Arcy made out his will. It was made public Tuesday in a court filing establishing an estate for the late bishop, who died Feb. 3 at age 80, after a second bout with cancer.

Suit claims FWCS, school did nothing to stop bullying

Rebecca S. Green — Wed, 08 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

The parents of a Forest Park Elementary School student has sued the school and Fort Wayne Community Schools, alleging their son was bullied while attending the north-side school.

D'Arcy's will made public

Rebecca S. Green — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:57:49 EST

In 2009, before he retired as bishop of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Roman Catholic Diocese, John D'Arcy made out his will.

Woman in officer’s shooting sentenced to 38 years

Jeff Wiehe — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:22:52 EST

Julie Marie King was sentenced Monday to 38 years in prison for her role in the December 2011 shooting of Waterloo's deputy marshal.

Arson fire by store could draw 10 years

The Journal Gazette — Sat, 04 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

A Fort Wayne man who admitted to setting fires outside a drugstore after arguing with the store's manager is now looking at up to 10 years in prison.