Back in 2015, the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office was appointed Special Prosecutor for Kosciusko County to address cases related to former Kosciusko Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine, Warsaw Resident Kevin Bronson and a former college professor and Bronson’s “religious mentor” Mark Soto.
Today, Prosecutor Nelson Chipman announced the apparent conclusion of those cases.
In a press release, Chipman emphasized that the three people indicted by a Kosciusko Grand Jury in January of 2016 have felony convictions and are now serving or have completed their sentences.
He explained that the former sheriff served his sentence and was successfully discharged from probation, after Special Judge Steve Bowers rejected Rovenstine’s request for alternate misdemeanor sentencing on Friday, September 28th.
Special Judge Bowers’ decision will apparently keep Rovenstine from having this felony conviction expunged from his criminal record. It also means he will remain barred from seeking further public office in the state of Indiana.
Chipman added that Bronson is currently serving his sentence in the Indiana Department of Corrections after violating community corrections. Additionally, Soto continues to serve his sentence following jury verdicts of guilt that were affirmed by the Indiana Court of Appeals in its decision announced on Monday, October 1st of this year.
The prosecutor noted a fourth case is awaiting a decision by a different special prosecutor appointed to review the matter.
Chipman said he wished to inform the public of these final court proceedings since he and his trial deputies are keenly aware of how this process and the allegations made after an extensive grand jury investigation rocked the Warsaw and Kosciusko County community, particularly various law enforcement agencies.
He noted that this was by no means a pleasant task, and he while regrets the divisive strain that was put on relationships throughout the county, it was essential for the rule of law and the good of all.
Chipman remarked that aside from with himself, Deputy Prosecutor Tami Napier and Deputy Prosecutor Matt Sarber were also pleased with Judge Bowers’ decision, particularly the intricate basis of how he reached the decision.
Judge Bowers issued a detailed document about he came to his decision and Chipman encourages the public to read it in order to fully understand why the judge came to conclusion to deny the petition for alternate misdemeanor sentencing.
Prosecutor Chipman added that by a totally unexpected coincidence they were notified on October 1, of the Court of Appeals decision to affirm Mark Soto’s felony convictions after a trial by jury. He urged to “he good people of Kosciusko County to look over that document as well.
Chipman said he’d like to personally thank the citizens who served on the grand jury and the petit jury in the Soto trial. He explained that their courage to return indictments and guilty verdicts was a source of inspiration to us all.
He added that the risks taken to pursue these allegations to a conclusion have been validated and justice has been served. Lastly, he commented that the people have spoken, and will speak again through the election of a new sheriff.
For some additional background on these cases click the following link to read a previous story about a press conference held by Prosecutor Nelson Chipman in February of 2016.
