Leon Warner

WARSAW — A Warsaw man was sentenced today, Dec. 22, on charges of molesting a child under the age of 12.

Leon Gene Warner, 53, 558 Circle Drive, Warsaw, was sentenced for a charge of child molesting, a level 5 felony.

Warner was sentenced on charges stemming from an incident in June, when an officer responded to an individual threatening to commit suicide.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Warner had a loaded gun in the bedroom of the residence. He told officers he wished he’d had the guts to pull the trigger when he had the chance, but had put the gun down when the police arrived. Warner told officers he wanted to kill himself because he had done something bad and he didn’t want his family to be disappointed in him.

Warner then told the officer he had touched a juvenile family member in an inappropriate manner a couple of nights prior. Warner further admitted he had seen the minor laying on the sofa sleeping and he placed his hands in the child’s underwear. When the child woke up, Warner said he was sorry.

The officer contact Child Protection Services and the minor told CPS what Warner had done.

During the sentencing, Warner’s ex-wife Jennifer Warner took the stand to testify about what the family had gone through since this incident.

Jennifer testified she had been married to Warner for nine years. She said the whole family had been affected by Warner’s actions toward the victim, “She’s not the only victim,” said Jennifer. Jennifer also said it is hard for her to be around the victim because the victim constantly asks why Warner committed those actions against her.

Jennifer added, “I don’t feel like he takes this seriously.”

Prosecutor Katy Hampton stated that Warner’s actions were devastating to those involved largely because, “Mr. Warner was in a place of trust … He took advantage of that situation.” Hampton encouraged max sentencing for Warner.

Warner’s lawyer Jay Rigdon argued that Warner should not receive the max sentencing. Rigdon said Warner was not looking to get away without servicing any time, however, Rigdon did not feel an extended period of jail time would be effective. Rigdon indicated Warner had lived in the area for 50 years without a doing this sort of crime.

Warner took the stand to apologize for his actions, “I just want to apologize to the victim and my family.”

Judge David Cates gave him credit for taking responsibility for his actions and not having a criminal history. Cates did indicate there might be some other issues that were not being addressed, “There’s indication to me that you have some health issue,” said Gates.

Warner was sentenced to six years at the Indiana Department of Corrections and two years on probation. Warner will receive two days of jail time credit.