By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Manuel Apolinar Tlahuetl

WARSAW — A Warsaw man will serve a four-year sentence locally after using a gun to threaten a woman.

Manuel Apolinar Tlahuetl, 22, 902 E. Market St., Warsaw, was charged with intimidation, a level 5 felony. Two additional criminal charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Tlahuetl was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court One on Monday, May 2.

On Oct. 22, 2021, a Warsaw Police officer responded to a report of a firearm being pointed at someone. A woman told the officer that while she was picking up her child from a residence, Tlahuetl pointed a firearm at her.

According to court documents, the woman said that while she was still in her vehicle, Tlahuetl removed what she believed to be a Glock Model 19 from his pants pocket. He pointed the firearm at the woman, actioned the slide and said, “You better watch out.”

Tlahuetl put the firearm back in his pocket when one of Tlahuetl’s relatives brought the child out of the woman’s vehicle. Tlahuetl admitted to officers that he argued with the woman, but denied having a firearm. He told officers he had a rolling pin in his pocket and held it in a way to make the woman believe he had a gun. He also denied owning a firearm at all.

That same day, officers were granted a search warrant for the home Tlahuetl resided in. While searching the residence, officers found a firearm in a pair of pants in Tlahuetl’s bedroom.

During court proceedings, Defense Attorney Austin Rovenstine asked Special Judge Karen Springer to have the county’s work release and community corrections programs as options for Tlahuetl.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Sobek said the state had no objection to Tlahuetl serving any executed time through work release.

Judge Springer said she was open to Tlahuetl serving the executed time through work release or community corrections, but noted Tlahuetl having a prior juvenile history which resulted in prison time.

“This is a very bad charge for you at a very young age,” said Judge Springer. “You need to straighten up.”

For intimidation, Tlahuetl received a four-year sentence at the Kosciusko County Jail. One year will be executed and three years were suspended on probation. Tlahuetl can serve the executed portion through work release or community corrections if approved.

The firearm seized in this case will be disposed of by the Warsaw Police Department. A no-contact order also remains in effect between Tlahuetl and the woman.

Following sentencing, Tlahuetl was remanded to the custody of the Kosciusko County sheriff.