Bartholomew County Prosecutor's Office

08/24/2026

The Bartholomew County Prosecutor's Office and is closed today, August 24, 2026, due to a power outage. If you had any meetings scheduled with our office today, someone will be in touch as soon as possible to reschedule.

07/29/2026

A sentencing hearing was held on July 28, 2026, following a jury trial held on July 1, 2026, for Charles W. Albertson Jr.. At the sentencing hearing, Judge James Worton of the Bartholomew County Superior Court 1 sentenced Albertson to the maximum sentence of two and one-half (2.5) years to be executed in the Indiana Department of Correction. The penalty range for a Level 6 felony is six (6) months to two and one-half (2.5) years, with an advisory sentence of one (1) year.

Prosecutor Lindsey Holden said, “Our office remains committed to holding repeat offenders accountable. I want to commend the deputy prosecutors who handled this case for their outstanding work in presenting the case to the jury and securing this conviction. We are grateful the Court imposed the maximum sentence authorized by law. This sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s repeated conduct, however for offenders like Mr. Albertson who continue to commit these disturbing crimes, the maximum penalty should be greater. Cases like this highlight the need for stronger penalties for repeat offenders who continue to victimize innocent people.”

On July 1, 2026, after a jury trial, a Bartholomew County jury found Charles Albertson Jr. guilty of Public Indecency, a Level 6 Felony.
This conviction stems from the events of April 18, 2024, when officers with officers with the Columbus Police Department responded to reports of a man who had exposed himself in the Jay C parking lot. Following an investigation by the Columbus Police Department and the Edinburgh Police Department, the Defendant was arrested.

The jury deliberated for just under 2 hours before returning a guilty verdict. The State’s case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Jordan Lorenzo and Mat Taylor.

“Our office takes every crime seriously because every victim matters. Today’s guilty verdict is a reminder that conduct that threatens the safety and dignity of others will not be dismissed or minimized. My office remains committed to holding offenders accountable and protecting our community. I’m extremely proud of the work of my team and both the Columbus and Edinburgh Police Departments. It’s their commitment to seeking justice that make outcomes like today’s guilty verdict possible.” - Prosecutor Lindsey Holden

07/23/2026

On September 20, 2025, officers with the Columbus Police Department responded to a residence in Columbus in reference to a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, officers spoke to the victim who reported that Riley Schnider had been drinking and had battered her. The victim further reported that while yelling at the her, Schnider armed himself with a knife and used it to threaten her. The Defendant was charged with Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon, a Level 5 felony; and, Domestic Battery, a Level 6 felony.

On June 15, 2026, Schnider pleaded guilty to Count 1: Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon, a Level 5 felony; and, Count 2: Domestic Battery, a Class A misdemeanor. At the sentencing hearing on July 14, 2026, Judge James Worton of the Bartholomew County Superior Court 1 sentenced Schnider to four (4) years on Count 1: Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon, with three (3) years executed in the Indiana Department of Correction and one (1) year suspended to probation with community corrections; for Count 2: Domestic Battery, Judge Worton sentenced Schnider to one (1) year in the Bartholomew County Jail which was suspended to probation with community corrections. The Court ordered Count 2 to run consecutively to Count 1. The penalty range for a Level 5 felony is from one (1) year to six (6) years, with an advisory sentence of three (3) years. The penalty range for a Class A misdemeanor is from zero (0) days to three hundred and sixty-five (365) days.

07/14/2026

In May of 2025, members of the Columbus Police Department and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s office Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team conducted two controlled purchases of Fentanyl from Derrick Brown. Two separate counts of Dealing in a Narcotic Drug, both level 5 felonies.

On June 1, 2026, Brown pled guilty to both offenses, and a Sentencing hearing was held in the Bartholomew Circuit Court on July 9, 2026. On that date, Brown was sentenced to 4 years to be served in the Department of Corrections on Count 1, followed by an additional, consecutive 4 years to be served in the Department of Corrections on Count 2.

The Sentencing Range on a Level 5 felony ranges between 1 to 6 years, with an advisory sentence of 3 years.

07/08/2026

On January 26, 2026, officers with the Columbus Police Department responded to a residence in Columbus in reference to a domestic battery. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim who stated he was shoveling snow in his driveway when he was attacked by the Defendant, Joshua McKinsey. The victim was also a witness in another criminal case in which Joshua McKinsey was the Defendant; the victim was set for a deposition in that case the following week.

On February 2, 2026, McKinsey was charged with Count 1: Attempted Obstruction of Justice, a Level 5 felony; and, Count 2: Domestic Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury, a Level 6 felony, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

On June 1, 2026, McKinsey pleaded guilty to Count 1: Attempted Obstruction of Justice, a Level 5 felony; and, Count 2: Domestic Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury, a Level 6 felony. At the sentencing hearing on July 1, 2026, Judge James Worton of the Bartholomew County Superior Court 1 sentenced McKinsey to five (5) years to be executed in the Indiana Department of Correction on Count 1: Attempted Obstruction of Justice, a Level 5 felony; and two (2) years to be executed in the Indiana Department of Correction on Count 2: Domestic Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury, a Level 6 felony. Judge Worton ordered the Counts to run consecutively for an aggregate sentence of seven (7) years in the Indiana Department of Correction.

The penalty range for a Level 5 felony is a minimum of one (1) year and a maximum of six (6) years, with an advisory sentence of three (3) years. The penalty range for a Level 6 felony is a minimum of six (6) months and a maximum of two and one-half (2.5) years, with an advisory sentence of one (1) year.

07/04/2026

🐾🇺🇸 Rico wishes everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July!

As our community celebrates Independence Day, Rico is especially grateful for the law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, dispatchers, and all first responders who are working today to help keep our community safe.

Have a fun, safe, and happy Fourth of July! ❤️🤍💙

07/03/2026

The Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office wishes everyone a safe and happy Independence Day!

As you celebrate with family and friends, please celebrate responsibly and stay aware of your surroundings.

We also extend our sincere gratitude to the law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and other first responders who will be working throughout the holiday to serve and protect our community.

We wish everyone a safe, enjoyable, and memorable Fourth of July!

07/02/2026

On January 26, 2025, officers with the Columbus Police Department responded to Walmart on Merchant’s Mile after a bomb threat was reported. An individual posted on his Facebook account: “There’s a bomb in the pet food section at Walmart rigged to blow at 930 tonight.” He later clarified that the Walmart was the Walmart on Merchant’s Mile.

Officers, detectives, and Emergency Ordinance Disposal technicians responded and performed a search of the premises, and did not locate any explosive devices.

The poster of the threat, Isaac Stenneski, was arrested shortly thereafter, and charged with Intimidation, a Level 5 Felony.

On June 25, 2026, Stenneski was sentenced to 6 years, with 4 years executed to the Department of Corrections. The remaining 2 years of the sentence was suspended to probation, where Stenneski is ordered to complete a Mental Health Evaluation and comply with any recommendations of that recommendation.

The sentencing range for a Level 5 felony is 1 to 6 years, with the advisory sentence being 3 years.

“I am grateful to the officers and detectives of the Columbus Police Department, as well as the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians for their swift response in helping keep our community safe. While no explosive device was ultimately located, their dedication and coordinated efforts demonstrate the importance of taking every potential threat seriously. We appreciate the commitment of our law enforcement partners to protecting the citizens of Bartholomew County.” -Prosecutor Holden

07/01/2026

On July 1, 2026, after a jury trial, a Bartholomew County jury found Charles Albertson Jr. guilty of Public Indecency, a Level 6 Felony.
This conviction stems from the events of April 18, 2024, when officers with officers with the Columbus Police Department responded to reports of a man who had exposed himself in the Jay C parking lot. Following an investigation by the Columbus Police Department and the Edinburgh Police Department, the Defendant was arrested.

The jury deliberated for just under 2 hours before returning a guilty verdict. The State’s case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Jordan Lorenzo and Mat Taylor.

“Our office takes every crime seriously because every victim matters. Today’s guilty verdict is a reminder that conduct that threatens the safety and dignity of others will not be dismissed or minimized. My office remains committed to holding offenders accountable and protecting our community. I’m extremely proud of the work of my team and both the Columbus and Edinburgh Police Departments. It’s their commitment to seeking justice that make outcomes like today’s guilty verdict possible.” - Prosecutor Lindsey Holden

06/30/2026

On April 16, 2026, after a four-day jury trial and just over three hours of deliberation, a Bartholomew County jury found Brent Clayburn guilty of Attempted Murder and Criminal Confinement with a Deadly Weapon. The State’s case was presented by Prosecutor Lindsey Holden, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Kim Sexton-Yeager, and Deputy Prosecutor Mat Taylor.

These convictions stem from the events of September 15, 2024, when officers with the Columbus Police Department responded to reports of shots fired on Silver Fox Drive. Following a two-hour standoff, Clayburn was safely taken into custody by the SWAT team. The investigation was led by Detective Casey Kendrick.

On June 25, 2026 Clayburn was sentenced by Judge Kelly Benjamin in Bartholomew Circuit Court. Judge Benjamin sentenced Clayburn to: 30 years executed in the Indiana Department of Correction followed by 5 years probation for Attempted Murder, a level 1 Felony, and 12 years executed in the Indiana Department of Correction for Criminal Confinement, a level 3 felony. Judge Benjamin ordered the sentences to run concurrently.

Under Indiana law, the sentencing range for a Level 1 Felony is 20 to 40 years, with an advisory sentence of 30 years. The sentencing range for a Level 3 Felony is 3 to 16 years, with an advisory sentence of 9 years.