By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Jeffery Ryan Price

WARSAW — A Warsaw man was sentenced in two cases involving stalking and battering a woman.

In the first case, Jeffery Ryan Price, 39, 2665 E. Brookfield Circle North, Warsaw, was charged with domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor. He was also charged with stalking, a level 5 felony; and criminal mischief, a class B misdemeanor, in a second case. Seven additional criminal charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Price was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court Three on Tuesday, Dec. 14.

On March 12, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a battery at a residence. A woman said she gave Price permission to remove a stereo out of her vehicle that was parked in a garage.

While in the garage, Price entered the woman’s home without permission and refused to leave.

According to court documents, Price hit the woman several times on the back of her head.

A protective order prohibiting Price from having any contact with the woman was issued on March 8.

A month later, on April 26, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a protective order violation. The woman involved in the March 12 incident said that Price came to her home and kicked in the front door. Price left the area while the woman was on the phone with 911.

Upon arrival, officers noticed the woman had a black eye. The woman said Price battered her during a recent incident that was reported on April 19.

The woman told officers that Price kicked in her front door, which was locked and dead bolted. Officers noticed a shattered door jamb, as well as pieces of the door lying on the floor.

Price then tried to call the woman several times through Facebook Messenger while the officers were at her home. When officers attempted to speak with Price, he hung up.

At the time of the April 26 incident, Price had a warrant for his arrest for invasion of privacy and battery with bodily injury.

Between March 8 and April 26, the woman made four separate reports of Price violating the protective order.

During court proceedings, the woman testified about Price’s actions.

“He’s threatened me and stole my car,” said the woman. “He’s repeatedly broken into my home and threatened to kill me multiple times. He will not stop. I firmly believe that when he gets out, he’ll be after me again. I ask the court to protect me and my children. He is not an innocent man.”

Defense Attorney Christopher Berdahl said Price has been accepted for participation in Michiana Community Corrections.

For domestic battery, Special Judge Karen Springer sentenced Price to one year, which can be served either in the Kosciusko County Jail or Indiana Department of Correction. Six months will be executed and six months were suspended on probation.

With the stalking charge, Judge Springer gave Price a six-year sentence; 1 1/2 years will be executed and 4 1/2 years were suspended on probation. Price also received a six-month suspended sentence for criminal mischief. The stalking and criminal mischief charges will be served concurrently, or at the same time.

Both of Price’s cases will be served consecutively.

In total, Price received a seven-year sentence, with two years executed and five years on probation. Price can participate in community corrections so long as he qualifies and remains qualified.

A no-contact order remains in effect between Price and the woman. Price must also pay $688.97 in restitution to the woman.