Staff Report

ELKHART — A second arrest has been made and an affidavit of probable cause has been released regarding multiple barn fires in Elkhart County.

Sherry L. Thomas, 32, Nappanee, has been taken into custody on preliminary charges of arson, a level 4 felony; and attempted contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a level 3 felony.

Joseph D. Hershberger, 41, Nappanee, was arrested on Tuesday, Nov. 30. He faces eight preliminary charges of arson, all level 4 felonies; and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a level 3 felony.

According to court documents, barn fires were reported on April 13, April 27 and May 3, in Elkhart County. Detectives with the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office were assigned to investigate these incidents. A search warrant for a Geo-fence was obtained. As a result of that warrant, detectives discovered one cellphone was in the area of the fires just prior to the incidents. Subscriber information for the phone revealed the device belonged to Thomas.

Other barn fires were reported in Elkhart County on July 28, Sept. 18, and Sept. 19. Two fires also occurred on Oct. 1. Location data from Thomas’s phone shows her phone was at all of the fires prior to them occurring, with the exception of the arson that happened on July 28.

Security video was obtained from local gas stations in relation to the Oct. 1 fires. Hershberger, identified as Thomas’s significant other in court documents, was shown purchasing a little over half a gallon of gasoline. Thomas’s cellphone location data showed she was at the gas station at the same time as Hershberger. Later in the evening, Thomas was observed at a different gas station with Hershberger and a child.

In an interview with officers, Thomas admitted she was present with Hershberger when he started the barn fires on April 13, July 28, and Oct. 1. She also said that on Oct. 1, Hershberger attempted to convince a child to start one of the fires.

Hershberger admitted to starting multiple barn fires in Elkhart County. He said he and Thomas would take turns pouring gasoline and igniting the fire.

In addition to Hershberger’s admission to starting the fires or being with Thomas, cellphone location data for Hershberger and Thomas placed both of them in the locations of the fires shortly before they were reported.

Hershberger has an initial hearing in Elkhart County at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10.

Court records did not include a possible motive for the crimes.