Owen County Prosecutor’s Office

Call Directions

Owen County Prosecutor’s Office The official page of the Owen County Prosecutor's Office.

Defendant convicted of Aggravated BatteryKelsey Wright was charged with: • Count 1: Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon,...
08/21/2026

Defendant convicted of Aggravated Battery

Kelsey Wright was charged with:
• Count 1: Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon, a Level 5 Felony
• Count 2: Criminal Recklessness, a Level 6 Felony
• Count 3: Aggravated Battery, a Level 3 Felony
• Count 4: Theft, a Class A Misdemeanor
• Count 5: Theft, a Class A Misdemeanor
A jury trial was conducted August 18, 2026 through August 20, 2026. On August 20, 2026, the jury found Ms. Wright guilty on Count 2: Criminal Recklessness, a Level 6 Felony and Count 3: Aggravated Battery, a Level 3 Felony. Ms. Wright was found not guilty of Count 1: Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon, a Level 5 Felony, Count 4: Theft, a Class A Misdemeanor and Count 5: Theft, a Class A Misdemeanor.
Judge Donald VanDerMoere II accepted the jury’s verdicts, entered judgments of conviction on Counts 2 and 3, entered judgments of acquittal on Counts 1, 4 and 5 and remanded the Defendant into the custody of the Owen County Sheriff.
A level 3 felony carries a sentence range of three (3) to sixteen (16) years with an advisory sentence of nine (9) years and a fine up to $10,000 may also be imposed. A level 6 felony carries a sentence range of six (6) months up to two and one-half (2 ½) years with an advisory term of one (1) year and a fine up to $10,000 may also be imposed. The judge will determine the sentence to be imposed at the sentencing hearing scheduled for September 21, 2026 at 9:00 am.
Prosecutor Benjamin Kim and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Parker Trulock represented the State at trial. Sergeant Torrey Wallace, Owen County Sheriff’s Office served as the lead officer in this case and State’s representative at trial.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Owen County Sheriff’s Office and Spencer Police Department who helped secure justice in this case.

Defendant convicted of MurderQuentin Lamont Porter Jr. was charged with: • Count 1: Murder, a Felony• Count 2: Auto Thef...
07/30/2026

Defendant convicted of Murder

Quentin Lamont Porter Jr. was charged with:
• Count 1: Murder, a Felony
• Count 2: Auto Theft, a Level 6 Felony
• Count 3: Identity Deception, a Level 6 Felony
• Count 4: Theft, a Class A Misdemeanor
• Count 5: Theft, a Class A Misdemeanor

A jury trial was conducted July 21, 2026 through July 29, 2026. On July 29, 2026, the jury found Mr. Porter Jr. guilty on all charges.
Judge Donald VanDerMoere II accepted the jury’s verdicts, entered judgments of conviction on each charge and remanded the Defendant into custody. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 26, 2026 at 1:00 pm.

Prosecutor Benjamin Kim and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Parker Trulock represented the State at trial. Sergeant Detective Nathan Martin, Owen County Sheriff’s Office served as the lead officer in this case and State’s representative at trial.

This was a complex case and involved the cooperation of several law enforcement agencies, expert witnesses in the fields of DNA, Fi****ms, Glass examination, and forensic entomology. It also involved gathering numerous records and videos thanks to the cooperation of local businesses and residents in the community.
We extend our sincere thanks to the agencies below who helped secure justice in this case:

• Owen County Sheriff’s Office
• Bloomington Police Department
• Indiana State Police and their Laboratory Division
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Lawrence Police Department

06/03/2026

Online Tips for National Internet Safety Month
In 2005, the U.S. Senate designated June as National Internet Safety Month to raise awareness of internet dangers and highlight the need for education about online safety.
For prosecutors in particular, June is a time to highlight youth safety, especially for kids with social media access, as online risks have increased dramatically over the years.
In 2025, there was a staggering increase nationally in the number of reports the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) CyberTipline received related to online enticement of children for s*xual acts. Enticement is when a person communicates with someone believed to be a child on the internet with the intent to commit a s*xual offense or abduction.
This type of crime may include s*xtortion, in which a child is being groomed to take s*xually explicit images or ultimately meet face-to-face with someone for s*xual purposes, or to engage in a s*xual conversation online or, in some instances, to sell or trade the child’s s*xual images. This type of victimization takes place across every type of platform, including online gaming, social media, and messaging apps, according to NCMEC.
There are several safety tips parents and guardians can follow with their kids. Building trust, having open communication, and setting boundaries are crucial. Parents should:
• Set clear rules around screen time, social media use, and online gaming.
• Only use apps and platforms with verified parental controls and privacy settings.
• Supervise internet access and teach basic online safety rules such as not clicking on unknown links, not accepting friend requests from strangers, and not sharing locations.
• Keep devices in shared spaces and teach kids about 'safe strangers' online.
• Start conversations early about digital footprints, encouraging them to be cautious about sharing personal information and pictures online.
• Regularly review your child’s apps, privacy settings, and device activity.
Owen County Prosecutor Benjamin Kim encourages community members to report suspicious online behavior to law enforcement immediately, including cyber-bullying, exploitation attempts, or impersonation.
Other resources for online safety include:
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
• June is Internet Safety Month — Indiana Center for the Prevention of Youth Abuse & Su***de
• Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force: Parenting Tips

03/10/2026

🌷Today we recognize International Women’s Day — a day to honor the strength, resilience, and courage of women around the world.

At Sojourn House, we have the privilege of walking alongside women who are rebuilding their lives after addiction, exploitation, trauma & hardship.

Recovery is not just about leaving something behind — it’s about discovering who you are meant to become.

To the women in our program, our alumni, our volunteers, and our supporters...and those we have yet to meet, your courage inspires us every day.

On March 2, 2026 Owen County Prosecutor Benjamin Kim filed charges of Involuntary manslaughter, a level 5 felony against...
03/02/2026

On March 2, 2026 Owen County Prosecutor Benjamin Kim filed charges of Involuntary manslaughter, a level 5 felony against Samantha Mayhew of Poland, Indiana for the death of Kiersten Moore. Ms. Mayhew had an initial hearing on 3-2-2026. Her bond was set at $30,000.00 cash, surety, or 10%. The Court also set a pretrial conference to be held on 4-16-2026, Final Pretrial Conference to be held on 7-10-2026, and set a Jury trial date of 8-18-2026.

For any additional information concerning this matter, please see the probable cause affidavit that has been filed with the court and is a matter of public record.

The Owen County Prosecutor Benjamin Kim would like to remind everyone that all persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

02/27/2026

CALLING ALL 1ST RESPONDERS AND RECOVERY COMMUNITY! It's that time!

Join us for our 2nd annual C.A.R.E Co****le Tournament and Family Cookout.
Sign up with this link by 4/24
https://forms.gle/yN4iKej9oXTeqELy5

We can't wait to celebrate community, recovery and a little (or a lot) of healthy competition with you and your families!

Update: On March 20, 2026, the Court sentenced Victor Holding following a jury trial in which he was found guilty of two...
02/26/2026

Update: On March 20, 2026, the Court sentenced Victor Holding following a jury trial in which he was found guilty of two counts of Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon (Level 5 felonies) and admitted to being a habitual offender.

The Court imposed the following sentence:
• Count 2: 5 years
• Count 3: 5 years
• Habitual Offender Enhancement: 4 years

The sentences on Counts 2 and 3 will be served concurrently, with the habitual offender enhancement added, for a total sentence of 9 years at the Indiana Department of Correction.

This sentence will be served consecutive to a sentence the defendant is currently serving out of Delaware County and any sentence he receives in his pending Vigo County case.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
On January 18, 2024, Victor Holding was charged with multiple felonies, including 2 counts of Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon. The State also filed a notice of intent to seek habitual offender status.

A jury trial was conducted February 17, 2026 through February 20, 2026. The jury found Holding guilty on both of those charges. Following the trial, Holding admitted the allegations contained in the State’s notice of intent to seek habitual offender status.

His sentencing is scheduled for March 20, 2026.

Prosecutor Benjamin Kim and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Parker Trulock represented the State. Owen County Deputy Lt. Clint Wampler served as the State’s designated witness at trial.

Special thanks to the officers of the Owen County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, and the Indiana State Police laboratory for their dedication and service in helping secure this guilty verdict and keeping the community safe.

Defendant sentenced to 8 years for child molestingOn February 4, 2026, Heath Bennett pleaded guilty to Child Molesting, ...
02/05/2026

Defendant sentenced to 8 years for child molesting
On February 4, 2026, Heath Bennett pleaded guilty to Child Molesting, a Level 4 Felony.
The terms of the plea agreement allowed the Defendant to be sentenced in the Court’s discretion with a maximum sentence of 8 years at the Indiana Department of Correction.
The Court sentenced Heath Bennett to:
• 8 years at the Indiana Department of Correction.
• Lifetime s*x offender registration.
• $500 s*xual assault victims’ assistance fee as required by law.
• $100 child abuse prevention fee as required by law.
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Parker Trulock represented the State in this case.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Owen County Sheriff’s Office, Owen County Department of Child Services and Susie’s Place Child Advocacy Center for helping secure justice in this case.

Defendant sentenced to 12 years for OWI crash that critically injured 10-year oldOn February 1, 2024 Brian Walls was cha...
02/05/2026

Defendant sentenced to 12 years for OWI crash that critically injured 10-year old

On February 1, 2024 Brian Walls was charged with multiple felonies, including:
• Causing Catastrophic Injury When Operating a Vehicle with an ACE of .08 or More, a Level 4 Felony, and
• Causing Serious Bodily Injury when Operating a Vehicle with an ACE of .08 or More, enhanced due to a prior OWI conviction (also a Level 4 Felony).
A jury trial was conducted December 15 through December 18, 2025. The jury found Walls guilty on both of those charges.
At sentencing on January 30, 2026, the Court imposed the maximum sentence:
• 12 years at the Indiana Department of Correction
• 10 year driver’s license suspension
• $200 alcohol countermeasure fee and $100 child abuse prevention fee.

Chief Deputy Prosecutor Parker Trulock and Deputy Prosecutor June Caudill represented the State. Former Owen County Deputy Joseph Musgrove (now with Martinsville Police Department) served as the lead officer in this case and State’s representative at trial.
We extend our sincere thanks to the agencies below who helped secure justice in this case:
• The Owen County Sheriff’s Office
• Owen County EMS
• Indiana State police
• Indiana State Department of Toxicology
• Riley Children’s Hospital
• Members of the public who aided the victim prior to first responders arriving at the scene.

Address

60 S Main Street
Spencer, IN
47460

Telephone

+18128295005

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Owen County Prosecutor’s Office posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category