Pappas Sentenced To Two Years For Gang Activity
WARSAW — Johnathan Michael Pappas, 24, 519 W. Winona Ave., Warsaw, was sentenced today, April 6, in Kosciusko Superior Court I on charges of criminal gang activity, a level 6 felony; resisting law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor; and battery, a class A misdemeanor.
Pappas was one of three arrested on Dec. 8, 2016, after officers with the Warsaw Police Department responded to a battery in progress at McDonald’s on Detroit Street.
Upon arrival, officers located Pappas standing at the front of the counter with a red bandanna tied around his neck and a red shirt on. When officers requested Pappas to place his hands behind his back, Pappas positioned himself in a confrontational manner and resisted law enforcement. Officers were able to safely handcuff him.
Pappas claimed to be a “Blood” gang member, and battered an individual with assistance from another gang member, Frankie Winiavski, Pierceton.
Winiavski told officers that he has been involved in the Bloods gang for the last two to three years. According to Winiavski, he is allowed to recruit other members for the Blood gang. He admitted that himself, Pappas, and other area residents are part of a “Rolling 20s Blood set” and are responsible for the Rolling 20s graffiti in Warsaw.
Pappas told the court he was turning his life “toward God,” stating, “I don’t want to be a disappointment to my family. I’m done doing all the stupid stuff I’ve done.”
On count I criminal gang activity, a level 6 felony, Judge David Cates sentenced Pappas to two years at the Kosciusko County Jail, with one year suspended to be served on probation. For each count II resisting law enforcement and count III battery, both class A misdemeanors, Cates sentenced Pappas to one year suspended.
Pappas has 88 days of jail time credit. Assuming good behavior, he will serve three more months.