Two Class B Felony Cases Set for Plea and Sentencing Today

Starke County Courthouse
Starke County Courthouse
A number of plea and sentencing hearings are set to be heard in the Starke Circuit Court today by Judge Kim Hall, including hearings for two men accused of Class B felonies. Anthony W. Clemons faces charges of Dealing in Methamphetamine as a Class B felony, among others, while Bruce Banks is charged with Burglary as a Class B felony.

Police arrested Clemons on May 31, 2012, after receiving information that he had been staying at a residence at 207 W. Lake St. After confirming his arrest warrant was still active, several officers traveled to the home because of the suspect’s history of assaulting officers while being detained. Police ultimately found Clemons inside the basement at the residence, along with a variety of paraphernalia, methamphetamine, and marijuana, prompting the prosecutor file charges against Clemons of Dealing in Methamphetamine, and D-felony charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, and Habitual Substance Offender.

Banks faces charges of Burglary as a Class B felony after he allegedly broke into the home of Caroline Gregory in Knox, where he reportedly stole a computer and a muzzleloader. Police noted that the suspect in the burglary had attempted to cut the front window screen but was unsuccessful, prompting him to shatter a window on the south side before finally making entry on the southwest side of the building through a bedroom window. Police obtained evidence from the scene including fingerprints and blood samples, which were then run through the state database. The DNA was found to be consistent with a previously-convicted offender from Indiana: Bruce Banks.

Banks and Clemons are scheduled for their plea and sentencing hearings in the Starke Circuit Court this morning at 10:30 a.m. There has been no word as to whether or not plea agreements have been reached in either case.