PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE 2024 UPDATES

In Dubois Circuit Court, on January 17, 2024, Brahyan Gonzalez, 21, Jasper, entered into a Plea Agreement with the Dubois County Prosecutor’s Office that called for him to plead guilty to two counts of Child Molesting, one that was a Level 3 felony and one that was a Level 4 felony. Under the agreement, Mr. Gonzalez was to be sentenced to a total of 25 years at the Indiana Department of Correction. On February 16, 2024, Dubois County Circuit Court Judge Nathan Verkamp accepted this Agreement and sentenced Mr. Gonzalez accordingly. Mr. Gonzalez is required to register as a sex offender. 

On January 29, 2024, Maynard Jackson Jr., 76, Jasper, entered into a Plea Agreement with the Dubois County Prosecutor’s Office that called for him to plead guilty to two counts of Child Molesting as Class C felonies. Under the agreement, the sentence was to be left to the discretion of Dubois Circuit Court Judge Nathan Verkamp, but was limited to a total sentence of 10 years at the Indiana Department of Correction. On February 27, 2024, after hearing victim impact statements and arguments from the parties, Judge Verkamp sentenced Mr. Maynard to a total sentence of 8 years at the Indiana Department of Correction. Mr. Maynard will be required to register as a sex offender. 

Beginning on March 20, 2024, there was a two-day jury trial involving criminal defendant Jason Brown, 42, Evansville. After several hours of deliberation, a twelve-person jury found Mr. Brown guilty of twelve counts of Invasion of Privacy, all Class A misdemeanors. The Court declared a hung jury on the final two counts of Stalking as a Level 5 felony and a Level 6 felony. The State of Indiana dismissed both stalking counts due to the jury being unable to reach a verdict on these counts. On March 22, 2024, Special Judge Daniel Murrie sentenced Mr. Brown to a total sentence of 2,160 days in jail at the Dubois County Security Center, followed by 1,800 days on supervised probation upon completion of his jail sentence. 

Dubois County Prosecutor Beth Schroeder commends the victims and their families for their bravery in coming forward about the crimes and having the strength to participate in the judicial process. 

In Dubois Superior Court, on January 31, 2024, Cassandra Cole, 44, Jasper, entered in a Plea Agreement with the Dubois County Prosecutor’s Office that called for her to plead guilty to the charge of Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony. Under the agreement, the sentence was left to the discretion of Dubois Superior Court Judge Anthony Quinn but was limited to a total sentence of 17.5 years at the Indiana Department of Correction. After hearing testimony and arguments from both parties, Judge Quinn sentenced Ms. Cole to 17.5 years at the Indiana Department of Correction. The Court ordered that Ms. Cole must serve 10 years before being eligible to participate in the treatment-based Recovery While Incarcerated Program at the Indiana Department of Correction. Upon completion of that program, the Court will consider a modification of her sentence. 

Also in Dubois Superior Court, on February 27, 2024, Brian Shoemaker, 47, Jasper, entered into a Plea Agreement with the Dubois County Prosecutor’s Office that called for him to plead guilty to the charge of Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony. Mr. Shoemaker was sentenced pursuant to the Plea Agreement to 10 years at the Indiana Department of Correction. 

The Dubois County Prosecutor’s Office team consists of four deputy prosecutors: Evan Biesterveld, Dan Wilkinson, Tiffany Houchin, and Jenelle Murling; as well as an investigator, victim advocate, and six administrative staff persons. Prosecutor Schroeder appreciates the hard work and dedication of every member of her team and commented that the office could not run smoothly without each one of them.