Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A North Webster man was found guilty of illegally driving a vehicle.
During a one-day jury trial in Kosciusko Superior Court III on Wednesday, Aug. 26, Stoney Edward Gawthrop, 55, of 306 E. Madison St., North Webster, was found guilty of operating a vehicle after forfeiture of license for life, a level 6 felony.
The state's case was presented by Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton, while John Barrett served as Gawthrop's defense counsel.
Sentencing is scheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22. Following the guilty verdict, Gawthrop was remanded to the custody of the Kosciusko County sheriff.
Affidavit Of Probable Cause
On July 12, 2025, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a vehicle accident near Milford. A witness said she was traveling south on Old Ind. 15 when a vehicle sped past her and a tire on it blew, causing it to spin out of control.
According to court documents, the speeding vehicle almost hit a bicyclist.
The vehicle's driver was identified as Gawthrop, and officers determined he had a driving status of habitual traffic violator for life.
Gawthrop was convicted of operating a vehicle as a habitual traffic violator in Kosciusko County in 2008, and his driving privileges were suspended for life in 1993, without an expiration date.
