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Bartholomew County Prosecutor's Office

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Bartholomew County Prosecutor's Office

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05/25/2026

Today, the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office remembers and honors the heroes who gave their lives in service to our country. We are grateful for all who have served and for the families whose sacrifices help keep our communities safe.

05/22/2026

On January 7, 2026, at approximately 6:00 p.m., a Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputy attempted service of civil process at a residence in the county. Upon arrival at the residence, the Deputy encountered Randall Roberts on the patio. Roberts stated he did not live at the residence and did not know the person the deputy was attempting to serve. Based on Roberts behavior, the Deputy believed Roberts to be under the influence of Methamphetamine. The deputy also observed Methamphetamine in plain view on the patio. As the deputy went to detain Roberts, Roberts forcibly resisted arrest. On January 8, 2026, the State charged Roberts with Possession of Methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony; and, Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor.

On April 20, 2026, Roberts pleaded guilty to Count 1: Possession of Methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony; and, Count 2: Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor. On May 19, 2026, Judge James Worton of Bartholomew County Superior Court 1 sentenced Roberts to two and one-half (2.5) years to be executed in the Indiana Department of Correction for Count 1: Possession of Methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony. For Count 2: Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor, Judge Worton sentenced Roberts to one (1) year to be executed in the Bartholomew County Jail, with Count 2 running concurrently with Count 1. The penalty range for a Level 6 felony is from six (6) months to two and one-half (2.5) years, with an advisory sentence of one (1) year. The penalty range for a Class A misdemeanor is from zero (0) days to three hundred and sixty-five (365) days.

05/18/2026

On February 20, 2025, at approximately 5:00 a.m., officers with the Columbus Police Department were dispatched to a residence in Columbus in reference to an attempted residential entry and theft. The suspect, later determined to be Derek Rothrock, was observed on security footage attempting to enter the residence at approximately 3:40 a.m. Following an investigation, Rothrock was arrested, found in possession of methamphetamine, and charged with Attempted Residential Entry, a Level 6 felony; Possession of Methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony; and, Conversion, a Class A misdemeanor.

On November 15, 2025, officers with the Columbus Police Department were dispatched to a residence in Columbus in reference to a domestic disturbance. Following an investigation, officers learned Rothrock had threatened to kill an individual in the residence and damaged the victim’s cellular telephone. Rothrock was arrested and charged with Intimidation, a Level 6 felony; and, Criminal Mischief, a Class A misdemeanor.

On March 23, 2026, Rothrock entered pleas of guilty to Attempted Residential Entry, a Level 6 felony; Possession of Methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony; and Intimidation, a Level 6 felony. On May 6, 2026, Judge James Worton of Bartholomew County Superior Court 1 sentenced Rothrock to two (2) years in the Indiana Department of Correction for Attempted Residential Entry, a Level 6 felony, and fourteen (14) months in the Indiana Department of Correction for Possession of Methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony, with those counts to run consecutively to each other. For Intimidation, a Level 6 felony, Judge Worton sentenced Rothrock to two (2) years in the Indiana Department of Correction. In total, the Court sentenced Rothrock to five (5) years and two (2) months in the Indiana Department of Correction. The sentencing range for a Level 6 felony is six (6) months to two and one-half (2.5) years, with an advisory sentence of one (1) year.

04/20/2026

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) is an annual observance that brings communities together and raises awareness about victims’ rights and services. Since 1981, NCVRW has challenged the Nation to confront and remove barriers to achieve justice for all victims of crime. In 2026, we will observe NCVRW on April 19–25 with the theme: Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect victims, serve communities.

The Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s office served victims in over 600 cases in 2025, but we know that the impact that our victims have to endure last beyond the closure of a court case. We want victims in our community to know there are resources and help available.

As part of this week, we also want to take a moment to thank our victim advocates who work tirelessly to meet the needs of our victims, as well all medical first responders and law enforcement that help our victims every day.

Resources can be found at: https://ovc.ojp.gov/library/mobile-apps and https://ovc.ojp.gov/directory-crime-victim-services/search?fbclid=IwY2xjawRTAL1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFEVm5NaGVKU05pWHB3NkVXc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrCjGVoGHHyLR-uBTBdjkLMYZHb1iCg7ZBvYY4jJgAz0CJc1WlamMvshAfWl_aem_vvSkKqWOHAugKCUjaIJrbQ #0-0

04/17/2026

On April 16, 2026, after a four-day jury trial, a Bartholomew County jury found Brent Clayburn guilty of Attempted Murder and Criminal Confinement with a Deadly Weapon.

These convictions stem from the events of September 15, 2024, when officers with the Columbus Police Department responded to reports of shots fired on Silver Fox Drive. Following a two-hour standoff, Clayburn was safely taken into custody by the SWAT team. The investigation was led by Detective Casey Kendrick.

The jury deliberated for just over three hours before returning guilty verdicts on both counts. The State’s case was presented by Prosecutor Lindsey Holden, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Kim Sexton-Yeager, and Deputy Prosecutor Mat Taylor.

Prosecutor Lindsey Holden stated:
“This verdict is the result of the relentless work and dedication of our prosecution team and the Columbus Police Department. I am incredibly proud of the way this case was investigated and presented in the courtroom. Most importantly, this conviction reflects our continued commitment to seeking justice for victims of violent crime and holding offenders accountable. We will not waver in that mission.”

03/26/2026

On September 5, 2025, Darrell W. Crow, Jr. was charged with two counts of Dealing in Methamphetamine, both as Level 2 felonies; and, one count of Dealing in Methamphetamine, as a Level 4 felony. Crow, Jr. was charged and arrested during Operation Cold Front, which was a closely coordinated operation between the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (“JNET”), Bartholomew County Sheriff, Columbus Police Department, and Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office. Operation Cold Front also resulted in the arrest of eight other individuals for dealing and narcotic related offenses.

On February 23, 2026, Crow, Jr. entered a plea of guilty to Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony. Following a sentencing hearing on March 24, 2026, Judge James Worton of the Bartholomew Superior Court 1 sentenced Crow, Jr. to a total sentence of twenty (20) years, with fifteen (15) years executed in the Indiana Department of Correction and five (5) years suspended to probation with community corrections. The sentencing range for a Level 2 felony is from ten (10) years to thirty (30) years, with an advisory sentence of seventeen and one-half (17.5) years.

03/17/2026

On September 8, 2025, Daniel S. Houchens was charged with Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Level 4 felony. Houchens was charged and arrested during Operation Cold Front, which was a closely coordinated operation between the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (“JNET”), Bartholomew County Sheriff - Sheriff Chris Lane, Columbus Police Department, and Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office. Operation Cold Front also resulted in the arrest of eight other individuals for dealing and narcotic related offenses.

On December 15, 2025, Houchens entered a plea of guilty to Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Level 4 felony. Following a sentencing hearing on March 11, 2026, Judge James Worton of the Bartholomew Superior Court 1 sentenced Houchens to nine (9) years to be executed in the Indiana Department of Correction. The sentencing range for a Level 4 felony is from two (2) years to twelve (12) years, with an advisory sentence of six (6) years.

03/16/2026

On January 17, 2025, Bartholomew County Community Corrections Officers went to the home of Brian Avery Jones Sr. for a compliance check. Jones was serving a community corrections probation sentence. The Community Corrections Officers noticed Jones acting suspicious and later discovered illegal substances on his person.

Officers with the Columbus Police Department and the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team were called to the scene. Magistrate David Nowak granted a search warrant for law enforcement to search the residence. Law Enforcement recovered approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine, 6 grams of co***ne and 2 grams of fentanyl. Additionally cash and cell phones belonging to Jones with text messages relating to dealing in narcotics were found.

Jones was arrested and later charged by the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office on January 22, 2025, with Dealing in Methamphetamine as a Level 2 Felony and additional charges. Jones plead guilty to Dealing in Methamphetamine as a Level 2 felony on November 10, 2025 in the Bartholomew County Circuit Court.

He was sentenced by Judge Kelly Benjamin on March 12, 2026 to a total sentence of twenty five (25) years, with twenty (20) years to be executed in the Indiana Department of Correction, five (5) years to be suspended and three (3) years to be spent on probation after his release.

The sentencing range for a Level 2 felony is 10 to 30 years with an advisory sentence of 17 ½ years.

03/13/2026

In October of 2023, officers with the Columbus Police Department were called to NexusPark – Columbus Regional Health after medical personnel noticed concerning injuries to a small boy. When police and a family case manager from the Department of Child Services arrived, they determined that the 2-year-old boy was covered in injuries that appeared to be in varying degrees of healing. Over the next couple of weeks, the Riley Child Protection Team determined that the boy had multiple external injuries all over his body, and he also suffered 2 broken ribs, which were healing.

Hanna McBride and Jose Manuel Villeda Gomez were both arrested for Neglect of a Dependent with Serious Bodily Injury, a Level 3 felony. In July of 2025, McBride pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 years, with 8 years executed at the Indiana Department of Corrections.

On February 20, 2026, Villeda Gomez also pleaded guilty to Neglect of a Dependent with Serious Bodily Injury, a Level 3 felony. On March 11, 2026, Judge James Worton sentenced the Defendant to a period of the maximum period of 16 years, with 10 years executed at the Indiana Department of Corrections.

The Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office wishes to thank the alert and responsive medical personnel who noticed the boy’s injuries and who made an immediate report to law enforcement, as the law requires.

02/18/2026

On April 27, 2024, Deputies with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office arrested Katherine Moore for charges including Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Neglect of a Dependent. The investigation determined that a minor child was in the vehicle, and that a victim had been hit by the car Moore was driving. That victim was transported to the Columbus Regional Hospital for treatment of his injuries.

On February 12, 2026, Moore was sentenced after pleading guilty to Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Serious Bodily Injury, a Level 5 Felony, and Neglect of a Dependent, a Level 6 Felony. Judge Jon Rohde of Bartholomew County Superior Court 2 sentenced Moore to 6 years to be executed in the Department of Corrections.

The sentencing range on a Level 5 Felony is 1 to 6 years, with an advisory sentence of 3 years. The sentencing range on a Level 6 Felony is 6 months to 2.5 years.

Address

234 Washington Street
Columbus, IN
47201

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+18123791674

Website

https://bartholomew.in.gov/prosecutor.html

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