WARSAW — A Mentone man will likely spend the next 20 years behind bars for having sex with an underage girl.

Jeremy Russell Himes

Jeremy Russell Himes, 21, Mentone, pleaded guilty on Feb. 14 to three counts of child molesting, all level 1 felonies. He remained incarcerated after his July 9, 2018 arrest and appeared in Kosciusko County Superior Court 1 on Thursday, March 21, for sentencing.

Brad Voelz, the prosecutor on the case, told Judge David Cates that Himes had been cooperative throughout the process and that he accepted full responsibility for his actions, which police say took place on three occasions between May and June of 2018.

Himes was arrested after Warsaw police met with a staff member of Child Protective Services who reported that a minor female told authorities that Himes provided her with drugs and then had sexual intercourse with her.

Himes’ attorney, John Barrett, told Cates that Himes admitted having an issue with drug abuse, but that he did not blame that for his actions.

“This is a case, if the court decides to accept the plea, which has some range,” Barrett said. “He was using drugs, smoking meth. He himself called his behavior idiotic. I think he’s genuinely remorseful.”

Himes had to pause to compose himself as he addressed the court.

“I just want to say I’m truly sorry,” Himes said. “I just want to turn my life around. I want to be able to live the life I should. I just don’t want to be like this anymore.”

Cates sentenced Himes to 25 years with the Indiana Department of Corrections for each of the counts but suspended five years of each sentence in favor of probation. Each of the sentences was ordered to be served concurrently, or at the same time, bringing the total amount to serve at 20 years. Himes was also credited with 255 days of time served.

“Mr. Himes, you don’t have a criminal history,” said Cates. “But, there were three counts. You could have broken the cycle at any time.”

Himes is also required to register as a sexually violent predator, according to Cates.