Ryan Prater

WARSAW — A Warsaw man was sentenced today, March 23, for stalking his girlfriend in 2015.

Ryan J. Prater, 533 E. Market St., Warsaw, was sentenced on a charge of stalking, a level 5 felony.

The charge stems from incidents that occurred in 2015. According to court documents, on July 25, 2015, a woman met with Warsaw Police to file a complaint against her boyfriend Prater. She accused Prater of being psychotic. She told police after they had a disagreement, he had damaged her vehicle. He spread charcoal all over the inside of the  vehicle, kicked and damaged the interior back door, broke the turn signal lever and bent a windshield wiper blade.

A protective order was filed Sept. 28, 2015, prohibiting Prater from having any contact with the woman. Prater allegedly violated that order. On Jan. 31, 2016,  the victim contacted police and reported Prater had been contacting her through Facebook and threatened to post nude photos of her if she didn’t agree to meet with him. After she refused to meet with him, he did post the photos.

During the sentencing, Prater’s lawyer Jay Rigdon stated “He recognizes his mistakes.” Ridgon said that Prater hoped to get into Serenity House in the future, as they do not currently have any openings.

Judge David Cates referenced Prater’s “extensive criminal history.” He also noted that, “You’ve been to Serenity House and did not complete the program.”

Prater was sentenced to one and one half years at the Kosciusko County Jail and one and one half years probation. Cates stated Prater could apply for Serenity House when there is room available.

Prater is to have no contact with the victim.

“I hope the second time around you’re more successful with the program,” said Cates.