Ottinger Sentenced For Involvement In 2018 Burglaries
Ottinger Sentenced For Involvement In 2018 Burglaries
Posted
Amanda Bridgman-
Ottinger Sentenced For Involvement In 2018 BurglariesA Cromwell man was sentenced to probation Tuesday for his role in a rash of burglaries in 2018.
Justin Billy Ottinger, 36, of 3520 N. CR 900W, Cromwell, appeared Tuesday in front of Kosciusko Superior Court III Judge Chad Miner and was sentenced to time served and formal probation for four years for a Level 4 felony burglary conviction. Through a plea agreement with prosecutors, Ottinger was not to be sentenced to serve more than one year in prison, and he had accrued 138 days of actual jail time credit. Added to good time credit, Ottinger was only looking to serve 42 additional days.
However, because Ottinger has since found gainful employment and owes thousands in restitution to the victims in the case, Miner sentenced him to time served for the year executed and four years in the Indiana Department of Corrections, with it all suspended to formal probation. That will put Ottinger on formal probation for more than three years.
The case stems from a rash of burglaries that were reported from mid- to late-August in 2018 in northern part of Kosciusko County.
One man told police people broke into his garage and stole an air compressor, photogenic light, ammo box and two extension cords, all valued at more than $750, according to court papers.
Another victim told police two days later that a battery box, Dell memory box, checks and memory cards were stolen from his residence, all valued at more than $750.
And a third man told police that on Aug. 30, 2018, someone entered into his home through a sliding glass door and stole multiple firearms, a compound bow, digital camera, crossbow, zero-turn lawnmower and weed eater, all valued at more than $750.
Police later received information that there were stolen items located at Ottinger’s house in Noble County. Police went with a search warrant to Ottinger’s home and located two thumb drives, a tool bag and a credit card that belonged to one of the victims, according to court papers. The air compressor, crossbow and weedeater were also found at Ottinger’s home.
Police ended up arresting and charging three others involved in the burglaries.
Jacob Stidham, 40, formerly of 103 Holliday Lane, #207, Cromwell, was convicted of a Level 4 burglary felony in June 2019 and ordered to serve two years in the Indiana Department of Corrections, with one year suspended to formal probation. Stidham was given the opportunity to serve his sentence through the county’s work release program or community corrections program, if he qualified.
Chandler Hyndman, 24, of 1833 N. Ind. 5, Cromwell, received a six-year suspended sentence for a Level 4 felony burglary conviction in January.
Scott Noble, 28, Westville, was convicted of Level 4 felony burglary charges in August and was sentenced to 5-1/2 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections with 3-1/2 years suspended for each burglary count. All three sentenced will run consecutively.
In court Tuesday, Miner said, “The crime involved here is a serious crime ... and one of the victims wrote a letter that said they don’t feel safe in their own home ... which is a terrible thing. ... This is your opportunity to do better.”
Ottinger also was ordered to pay $50 a week toward restitution that he and his co-defendants are responsible for paying, which includes $2,252 to one victim and $8,828 to Auto Owners Insurance company.
