Dr. Mark H. Soto

WARSAW — A notice of appeal has been filed with Kosciusko Circuit Court by counsel for Mark H. Soto. The notice was filed Friday, Oct. 13. Details of the appeal have not yet been filed with the Indiana Court of Appeals.

The appeal is expected to focus on the defense’s motion to correct errors, which was denied by Special Judge Stephen Bowers at the time of sentencing as well as the jury verdict and sentencing.

Soto was found guilty by a jury of two counts of corrupt business influence, a level 5 felony; and one count of intimidation, a class D felony. He was sentenced on Sept. 28, to three years on home detention and three years probation.

Soto was found guilty on Aug 8, by a 12-member jury for his involvement with Kevin Bronson in attempting to secure funds for an alleged redemption movie. However, a grand jury indicted Soto and Bronson on corrupt business influence charges and intimidation charges, after nearly $200,000 was raised but no movie was produced. The prosecution contended Soto used his credibility in the community to get individuals to contribute to the movie deal, where he expected a big pay off.

C. Aaron Rovenstine, was also among those indicted by the grand jury for his connection with Bronson and an alleged intimidating phone conversation with Warsaw Police Officer Paul Heaton, early in the city’s investigation into Bronson. Rovenstine pleaded guilty to the intimidation charges through a plea agreement. Rovenstine received one year probation.

Bronson, who pleaded guilty to one count corrupt business influence, was sentenced on Sept. 29, to seven years. That sentence is to be served with the Elkhart County Community Corrections.