Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine has been sentenced to one year in prison, but that sentence has been suspended.
That means Rovenstine will spend one year on probation. He also has been ordered to serve 250 hours of community service and he will not be allowed to own a firearm.
This is felony offense but judge decided not to incarcerate him. Law dictates serving at k county jail & judge thought bad idea @ABC57News
— Hayley Fixler (@HayleyABC57) May 23, 2017
He was indicted last year on 10 felony counts alleging that he accepted $40,000 to allow special privileges for a jail inmate and a visitor, including allowing unrecorded phone calls meant to hinder punishment of the inmate.
The Republican sheriff is also accused of intimidating a Warsaw police detective who was suspicious of his activities.
A jury of 8 women and 4 men was selected April 4.
Rovenstine pleaded guilty to a single count of felony intimidation on April 5. Pleading guilty was a move that will end his career as a public official and law enforcement officer, but not until he faces sentencing May 23 when a judge could accept the plea deal.
Prosecutors confirm that the conviction will remain a felony and he would be removed as sheriff. Kosciusko County Republican Party leaders would then meet and select a new sheriff within 30 days.
A member of the Rovenstine family has been Kosciusko County sheriff for 26 of the last 40 years.
#BREAKING Aaron Rovenstine will serve one year probation and 250 hours of Comm service. @ABC57News
— Hayley Fixler (@HayleyABC57) May 23, 2017
