By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Samuel Jerome Bolton

WARSAW — A Winona Lake man received a four-year sentence after threatening a man with a knife and battering him.

Samuel Jerome Bolton, 43, Winona Lake, was charged with intimidation with a deadly weapon, a level 5 felony; and battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, a level 6 felony. An additional intimidation charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Bolton was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court One on Monday, Sept. 19.

On March 6, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to an incident in Claypool. The reporting person said the altercation involved Bolton, who had left the scene.

When the deputy arrived at the scene, he spoke with a man. The man said on March 5, he was playing a video game when Bolton sat down in front of him. Bolton asked the man if he was proud of what he did. The man said he didn’t know what Bolton was talking about, at which point Bolton told the man he “better pray” and walked away.

On March 6, the man was sitting in an enclosed porch when Bolton hit the man in the face several times. According to court documents, the altercation moved into a lawn, where Bolton began to kick the man. Bolton then pulled out a pocket knife and walked toward the man, who ran away. The deputy noticed a large red knot on the left side of the man’s forehead, as well as other abrasions.

The deputy then spoke to the person who contacted police. The person said he saw Bolton dragging the man outside and attempted to let the man get off of the ground when Bolton pulled a knife. After the altercation, Bolton went back into the home and still had a knife in his hand. Bolton also threatened the witness after learning police had been contacted.

While the deputy was at the scene, dispatch said North Manchester Police had found Bolton at a gas station. Bolton was taken into custody and said he did not want to speak with police.

During court proceedings, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Sobek said he was troubled with Bolton’s prior criminal history, which includes a battery case.

Defense Attorney Jay Rigdon said that Bolton was steadily working but had not applied to the Kosciusko County work release program.

For intimidation, Kosciusko Superior Court One Judge Karin McGrath sentenced Bolton to three years in prison. He also received a one-year DoC sentence for battery resulting in moderate bodily injury. The one-year sentence was suspended on probation. Both counts will run consecutively.

In total, Bolton received a four-year sentence, with three years executed and one year on probation.

A no-contact order between Bolton and the victims in the case remains in effect. Bolton was also issued a no trespass order from Exodus Ministries.

McGrath also said she would consider work release as an alternative.

“This scenario could have easily ended in tragedy,” said Judge McGrath. “I’m glad it didn’t.”