By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Abel Salas

WARSAW — A Warsaw man will serve 11 years in prison for two criminal cases involving attempted rape and intimidation with a knife.

In the first case, Abel Salas, 21, 742 S. Warbler Lane, Warsaw, was charged with attempted rape, a level 3 felony. In the second case, Salas was charged with intimidation with a deadly weapon, a level 5 felony. Attempted domestic battery with a deadly weapon and domestic battery charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Salas was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court One on Monday, Aug. 3.

On June 16, 2018, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s officers responded to a battery incident at Maple Leaf Farms. Officers spoke with a man who said Salas took a knife from a woman by force and came after him. According to court documents, the man said he was able to defend himself without being stabbed or cut during the attack, but complained of neck and shoulder pain from fighting off Salas.

The man said Salas took medication for mental illness while living in Mexico but that Salas had not taken the medication since moving to the United States. Officers spoke with the woman, who said Salas grabbed her by the wrist and took a knife from her by force. She then saw Salas attack a man and was able to grab the knife.

Salas said he was angry but could not remember why.

On June 22, 2019, a person went to the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office and reported that he had been attacked by Salas at his residence. Court documents state Salas entered the person’s bedroom, grabbed his legs, attempted to force his legs up in the air. He said Salas told him he was going to rape him.

The victim was able to get away and left the scene to report the incident to police officers.

On June 23, 2019, an officer spoke with Salas about the incident. Salas admitted that he went into a room and grabbed the person’s legs. When asked what his intentions were by going into the person’s room, Salas said his intent was to rape him.

In court proceedings, Defense Attorney Antony Garza said Salas has accepted responsibility for his actions and has no prior criminal history.

For attempted rape, Kosciusko Superior Court One Judge David Cates sentenced Salas to nine years in the Indiana Department of Correction. In that case, Salas has 409 days of jail time credit plus good time credit as calculated.

For intimidation, Cates sentenced Salas to three years in DoC, with the last year suspended on probation. Salas has 30 days of jail time credit in that case.

Both sentences will be served consecutively. A no-contact order was also established between Salas and the victim in the attempted rape case.