Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A Warsaw man will serve time in prison for engaging in sexual activity with a child and stealing a vehicle from a local business.
Jaden William Bullers, 21, of 1415 E. Sheridan St., Warsaw, was sentenced for sexual misconduct with a minor, a level 5 felony; and auto theft, a level 6 felony. An additional sexual misconduct with a minor charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Bullers was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court I on Thursday, Sept. 10.
For sexual misconduct with a minor, Kosciusko Superior Court I Judge Karin McGrath sentenced Bullers to five years in the Indiana Department of Correction, with two years executed and three years suspended on probation. He also received a 1-1/2-year sentence for auto theft, with six months executed and one year suspended on probation. Both of Bullers' sentences will be served back-to-back.
In total, Bullers received a 6-1/2-year DOC sentence, with 2-1/2 years executed and four years suspended on probation. He must also pay $77,823 in restitution to EMC Insurance for extensive damage caused to the vehicle he stole.
At sentencing, it was noted seven letters of support for Bullers were submitted to the court for review.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Sobek requested a significant portion of Bullers' sentence be executed due to the circumstances of the crimes and the amount of damage caused to the vehicle.
Defense attorney Joseph Bauer asked the court to allow Bullers to serve his executed time through Kosciusko County Community Corrections. He noted Bullers suffered a traumatic brain injury following an accident in 2023 and that he struggled with multiple mental health issues as a result.
"All the letters we provided say he's accepted responsibility and help," said Bauer. "He's never ran away from what he did."
Bullers provided a statement in court, saying he has taken responsibility for what he did and "spent a lot of time thinking about my decisions."
"I still recognize that I need help and structure," said Bullers. "This experience has been a wake-up call, and I want to continue to do everything I can to be a better person. I'm committed to changing my life."
Affidavits Of Probable Cause
On Dec. 18, 2024, a manager at Explorer Van in Warsaw said a 2024 GMC Savanna was stolen from the business. A manager said Bullers stole the vehicle and was joyriding around town. At that time, Bullers told police he didn't know about a stolen vehicle and believed his ex-friends were trying to get him in trouble.
On May 29, 2025, a person reported Bullers told them he stole a van from Explorer Van a few months prior. The next day, officers pulled over a vehicle Bullers was driving and determined it was the stolen van.
According to court documents, on May 30, 2025, as officers investigated this report, it was discovered that Bullers engaged in sexual activity with a child on Dec. 8, 2024.
Law enforcement searched a tablet belonging to Bullers and discovered videos and images of Bullers engaging in sexual activity with a child. In an interview, the child said they believed Bullers was 20 years old and that Bullers knew their age because they told him. They detailed sexual activity occurring with Bullers.
