Shrout to enter plea on probation violation
A Greencastle man accused of violating his probation will be in Putnam County Superior Court on Dec. 8 to plead to the charge.
Richard S. Shrout, 33, was arrested in the vicinity of Liberty and Vine streets in the early morning hours of Nov. 1 for public intoxication. Shrout was picked up by Putnam County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Charles Inman, who was conducting neighborhood controls, court documents said.
On his way to jail, Shrout told officers his arrest would "screw up his probation," court documents said. Shrout told officers he was on probation for a forgery charge, and described how he had found a credit card at a local tavern and later used the card, resulting in his arrest.
A couple of hours after his arrest, Shrout became belligerent, court documents said, shouting and beating on the walls of his holding unit. Shrout "began to berate the jail staff, insisting that Sheriff (Steve) Fenwick be notified," court documents said.
When officers attempted to put another suspect in the holding cell with Shrout, Shrout prohibited entrance to the cell. Cpl. Dave Brown "instructed Shrout to step away from the door, directing him to back away by pointing his index finger," court documents said. "Shrout refused, reportedly grasping Brown's finger, and turned as if preparing to swing his fist toward the officer."
To protect himself, court documents said, Brown delivered a blast of pepper spray to Shrout's face.
"Shrout then stepped back, but continued to threaten the officer," court documents said.
Two jail officers helped Brown restrain Shrout, who was eventually placed in a restraint chair and placed in a padded cell at the jail.
Shrout was convicted of Class C felony theft and placed on probation on Sept. 20, 2005. His original sentence was four years with 18 months executed on home detention and the balance on probation. Under the terms of a plea agreement, two other Class C felony charges of forgery and three charges of Class D felony theft were dropped.
Should Shrout be found guilty of violating his probation, Judge Robert Lowe could reinstate a portion or all of Shrout's original sentence.
Shrout has been in jail since his arrest. His bond was set at $8,000 with 10 percent allowed.