Jason Ryan Coleman

WARSAW — Retribution — one of the goals in the justice system was a point made by Jason Ryan Coleman’s attorney prior to his sentencing this morning, May 26, on a charge of child molesting, a level 1 felony.

Kosciusko Superior Court Judge Dave Cates stated it was interesting Coleman’s attorney, Jay Rigdon, had talked about the juvenile history and retribution. Cates noted as a juvenile the matter could have been resolved by using the sycamore tree across the street. “You have a substantial criminal history … .” He stated if he accepted counsel’s retribution solution — an eye for an eye or serving time for the years the victim’s childhood was lost, “the child will never get his childhood back. You’d never be out of prison.”

Cates did sentence Coleman, per the plea agreement, to 30 years at the Indiana Department of Corrections, suspending five years, to be served on probation. Coleman was ordered to register for life as a sex offender, participate in a sex offender program and have no contact with the victim. He was given 315 days jail time credit.

Coleman was charged after an investigation determined he had molested a relative in June 2015. The victim was approximately 7 years old. The original charges were child molesting and incest. Through the plea agreement, the incest charge was dropped.

Prior to sentencing, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz noted Coleman’s criminal history justified the maximum sentence. Additionally he said “He was a trusted relative of a child … position of a parent … (the victim) is a great kid judge. I’ve met with him and talked to him … think what this may do to him in the future.”

Voelz noted goals of the justice system and while he agrees with rehabilitation in most cases, some times a person is beyond it. “A mentor once told me jail and probation are for people who irritate you. Prison, for the rest of their life, is there for those who frighten us.” He stated as a juvenile, Coleman was not charged with child molesting causing thoughts of how many others were victims. Voelz referred to a notebook found during a jail search in an unrelated matter. “It was callus and descriptive what he did … it frightens me.” He quoted a notation: “Given the chance, I would indulge in the same sin again.”

Rigdon also referred to Coleman’s juvenile record and a child molesting charge stating it was unknown who to blame for the problem that sadly did not get addressed. Appropriate retribution was suggested. “The common discussion is nothing you do is enough and whatever you get is not enough.” He referenced the history of retribution – expulsion from the community, being shunned or stoned, then an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. “You can’t spin the clock back,” Rigdon stated. He said the victim would be an adult in 2026, suggesting Coleman serve the same time period of time the victim has lost being a child — 11 years and 3 months.

Coleman did address the court, admitting to a self-imposed prison and his denial of being gay, being too ashamed and afraid to get help. He apologized to the victim, his family, the community and the court. He noted he destroyed every good thing he had — job, relationships, family. “I’m so sorry I done what I’ve done.”

Cates made it clear, “nothing I am doing today has anything to do about you being gay … how little I care if you are gay or not.”