Man Receives 12 Years In Prison For Breaking Into Home While Wielding Axe
By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews
Caleb Levi Roatcap
WARSAW — A Warsaw man will serve 12 years in prison after he broke into a residence while wielding an axe.
Caleb Levi Roatcap, 33, 3544 S. Palestine Lane, Warsaw, was charged with intimidation with a deadly weapon, a level 5 felony; resisting law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor; and a habitual offender enhancement. Three additional criminal charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Roatcap was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court One on Thursday, Feb. 27.
For intimidation, Kosciusko Superior Court One Judge Karin McGrath sentenced Roatcap to six years in the Indiana Department of Correction. An additional six years was added to the charge through the habitual offender enhancement. Roatcap also received a one-year sentence for resisting law enforcement, with the entirety of that sentence suspended on probation.
All of Roatcap’s sentences will be served back-to-back. In total, Roatcap received a 13-year DOC sentence, with 12 years executed and one year suspended on probation.
Roatcap has 284 days of jail time credit. No-contact orders remain in effect between Roatcap and the involved victims. He is also trespassed from the residence where the incident occurred.
At sentencing, Deputy Prosecutor Joseph Sobek said the plea agreement was a result of multiple depositions and various conversations. He said one of the victims was also in agreement with Roatcap’s sentence.
Both Sobek and Defense Attorney Austin Rovenstine noted Roatcap’s abuse of alcohol heavily contributed to this incident.
“I hope this is the end of it for Caleb and that we won’t see him again, but he needs to decide if he’s done with alcohol to stop this behavior,” said Sobek.
Rovenstine described the case as “very difficult” but also “absolutely horrifying” for the victims. He also said Roatcap was so intoxicated during the incident that he didn’t remember details of it.
“He’s kind, polite, easygoing … alcohol does something to him,” said Rovenstine.
“I have no doubt that when you’re sober, you’re kind, polite, and easygoing,” said McGrath to Roatcap. “But your struggle with alcohol turns you into a completely different person. This particular response led to very traumatizing events. There’s help and hope for people in the DOC, in the community, for people who want to change. I truly hope you make that decision.”
On May 19, 2024, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy received a report about a man with an axe entering a woman’s home in Warsaw.
The woman said Roatcap entered the home, wielding an axe above his head as he walked toward her and a child in the home.
According to court documents, Roatcap appeared to be exhibiting physical signs of intoxication. While being searched for weapons, Roatcap tried to move away from the deputy and pull himself from his grasp. He also ignored the deputy’s commands to stop and remain still.