WARSAW — Kosciusko County Superior Court III denied a request for an order of protection by a citizen against Warsaw Police Officer Paul Heaton.

Kimberly Richardson filed a protection order on March 4, and the same day, according to court documents, Kosciusko Superior Court Judge, Joe Sutton, ordered the Clerk of Court to transfer the case to the Kosciusko County Circuit Court. Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed declined to accept the transfer based on no grounds for transfer exist.

Richardson filed the petition in response to the feeling of intimidation she felt when recently testifying in front of the grand jury. She stated that on Sept. 24, “I was in the courthouse to testify against Heaton. I felt intimidated by him standing outside of the room I was held in, to the point of panic.”

According to Richardson and the petition, in 2012, she stated she was forced into a sexual intercourse with Heaton, with the threat of charges of manufacturing meth if she didn’t comply.

She also states on March 2, Heaton had knowledge of Mike Swindle’s whereabouts by following him to friends employment and residence, attempting to obtain information on her whereabouts. Heaton, Jason Marsillett and a state trooper were present at that time.

According to the petition for protection order Richardson filed, it states she was filing because she was, or had been, a victim of a sex offense and was, or had been, a victim of stalking by Heaton. The protection order would prohibit Heaton from threatening any of Richardson’s household members, staying away from her place of residence and work.

Superior Court III Judge Joe Sutton denied the petition March 11, but the court order states she is free to amend the petition and refile.