Staff Report

PIERCETON — A Pierceton man was arrested on two separate occasions in February, leading to numerous criminal charges against him.

Michael J. Poe

In the first arrest, Michael Jay Poe, 35, 3474 E. Ridge Drive, Warsaw, is charged with domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury, a level 5 felony; intimidation, a level 6 felony; domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor; resisting law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor; and domestic battery with a prior conviction – enhancement, a level 6 felony.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Feb. 25, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s officers were dispatched to a location in reference to a battery. 

A woman called the report in, saying that Poe had battered another man and that both men left in a vehicle after the incident.

A deputy found the vehicle at a gas station. The deputy saw Poe get out of the vehicle and go into the gas station. The deputy approached the vehicle and saw the driver had extensive injuries to his face, including heavy swelling on both eyes, along with dried blood on his face and clothing. 

The man refused to give police any information as to what happened. 

Poe then came out of the gas station and tried to get back into the vehicle. He was ordered by police to stop and had to forcibly pull him from the vehicle. He continued to struggle with police, but officers were able to detain him. 

EMS arrived at the scene but both men refused medical care.

A deputy interviewed the driver of the vehicle, who claimed his injuries were the result of a fall. He refused to make any further statement regarding the injuries.

Police spoke with the woman who reported the incident. She said she, Poe and the other man were in her living room when Poe began yelling. According to the woman, Poe began punching the couch where she was seated but never punched her. 

The woman said Poe then approached the other man and punched him in the face, causing his nose to bleed. She said the other man did not fight back and did not want to report the fight. 

After punching the man, Poe allegedly told the woman to leave the residence or he would hurt her. 

In the second incident, occurring three days later, Poe was charged with domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor; and domestic battery with a prior conviction – enhancement, a level 6 felony. 

In that incident, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to a location in reference to a domestic battery. Upon arrival, the deputy met with the female victim and her husband. 

The woman said she and her husband were asleep when Poe entered the room and struck her in the face multiple times with a closed fist.

She said while doing this, Poe was demanding that she give him an aerosol can that she had hidden earlier. She said she hid the can because Poe was “huffing” the contents. 

When Poe left the room, the woman and her husband called police. Officers saw redness on the woman’s face and eye. She also said her head and neck hurt. 

Poe was found at the residence and placed under arrest.