Ex-cop avoids felonies in domestic case
NWI Times
Sep 23, 2008
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/ex-cop-avoids-felonies-in-domestic-case/article_e59b75ad-20f1-566b-9455-75071327d09e.html
VALPARAISO | A retired Porter County Sheriff's Department commander struck a deal that allowed him to plead guilty Tuesday to misdemeanors rather than the original felony charges stemming accusations of striking his wife and firing a gun during the disturbance.
The difference is significant in that had John M. "Mike" Jenkins been convicted of a felony or the original domestic battery charge, he would no longer be allowed to legally possess guns.
Jenkins also escaped going to jail as part of the deal struck with prosecutors and accepted by Porter Superior Judge Roger Bradford.
The 49-year-old was sentenced to one year in jail, but the deal suspended all but time served and 30 days. The 30 days are to be spent doing community service work and Jenkins will spend the balance of the suspended term on informal probation that does not require office visits.
He was ordered to continue with counseling, with an emphasis on domestic violence. That part of the deal was important for Bradford, who called the agreement standard for this type of situation and for someone with no prior criminal record.
Jenkins had also avoided arrest following the May 22, 2008 incident.
Porter County Deputy Prosecutor Trista Hudson predicted during the short hearing Tuesday that the victim in this case would not be happy the felonies were reduced to misdemeanors.
Jenkins was initially charged with felony counts of strangulation and intimidation, and misdemeanor domestic battery. The strangulation charge was dropped and the two remaining counts were reduced to misdemeanor intimidation and battery.
Hudson said the charges were reduced both because Jenkins has no prior criminal record and because the evidence in the case broke down.
Jenkins' defense attorney Ken Elwood called the deal an "appropriate resolution."
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