Claypool Man To Serve Four Years In Prison After Home Invasion
By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews
Ethan E. Ratliff
WARSAW — A Claypool man will serve four years in prison after breaking into a residence and threatening a 13-year-old who was in the home at the time.
Ethan E. Ratliff, 21, 9052 S. 200W, Claypool, was charged with burglary, a level 4 felony; and intimidation with a deadly weapon, a level 5 felony. Three additional criminal charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Ratliff was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Wednesday, March 8.
For burglary, Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed sentenced Ratliff to eight years in the Indiana Department of Correction. Ratliff also received a three-year DOC sentence for intimidation, with both counts to be served concurrently, or at the same time. The last four years of Ratliff’s sentence were suspended on probation. Ratliff has 17 days of jail time credit.
In total, Ratliff will serve four years in prison and four years on probation.
At sentencing, Ratliff’s older brother, Brandon Carpenter, read a letter he wrote about Ratliff’s character. Carpenter described Ratliff as “an all-around hardworking, loving family man.”
“Even though I’m a decade older than him, I look up to him in so many ways,” said Carpenter, emphasizing Ratliff’s focus on family. “He’s diligent and his energy is infectious. Anyone who has been around him these last couple years have really seen him grow.”
Several of Ratliff’s relatives also attended the sentencing, with five additional letters of support submitted to the court.
Prosecutor Brad Voelz said the support Ratliff has is “a good indicator of someone who will achieve success in the future.”
“Ethan let himself and many others down on Jan. 10, 2021 (the day of the burglary),” said Voelz. “Just because you’re regretful doesn’t erase what happened on that day.”
Voelz said he and Defense Attorney Seth Tipton got to a “right result” with Ratliff’s plea agreement.
“He’s accepted responsibility but needs to accept the consequences for what he’s done,” said Voelz.
Tipton said Ratliff has had no other criminal involvement and described the incident as “isolated, but horrifically stupid.”
Ratliff also apologized to the victims and the court for his actions.
“I was a child and I was stupid,” said Ratliff. “I’m genuinely sorry from the bottom of my heart. It was a bad decision on my part.”
“You’re lucky we’re not here talking about more serious charges,” said Reed. “But this is serious criminal conduct that requires punishment.”
On Jan. 10, 2021, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a burglary in progress at a residence. A 13-year-old child in the home said they heard banging in the residence’s garage and attempted to flee upstairs after hearing a window break. However, the child was confronted by two men armed with guns. Ratliff was later identified as one of the individuals involved due to evidence from his cellphone and vehicle connecting him to the scene.
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