By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Danny Bruce Kirby Jr.

WARSAW — A Warsaw man will serve four years in prison after making bomb threats while harassing and threatening a woman.

In the first case, Danny Bruce Kirby Jr., 49, 534 N. Parker St., Warsaw, was charged with domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, a level 6 felony. He was also charged with stalking, a level 5 felony; and false reporting and intimidation, both level 6 felonies, in a second case. A second false reporting charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Kirby was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court One on Monday, April 19.

On Nov. 15, 2020, a Warsaw Police officer went to a residence regarding a domestic battery report. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with a woman who said Kirby had punched and kicked her in the face. Kirby also kicked the woman while she was on the floor.

According to court documents, the officer noticed the woman’s face was red and swollen and that she had a facial laceration. Officers were unable to locate Kirby during this incident.

On Nov. 20, 2020, Warsaw Police officers were contacted by the woman regarding her receiving harassing messages from Kirby after she told him to stop contacting her.

One week later, a Warsaw Police officer responded to a bomb threat at Meijer. Through investigation, the officer learned which phone number the bomb threat originated from. The phone number was found to be connected to Kirby through various Internet sources, as well as verbal confirmation from the woman who was battered by Kirby.

The next day, Warsaw officers investigated a second threat of violence at Meijer. Court documents state Meijer’s call center received a call from whom they suspected was the same person who called in bomb threats the previous day. During this call, the man, later identified as Kirby, said he was going to shoot the woman he battered on Nov. 15. The woman shared multiple voicemails from Kirby with officers. In the voicemails, Kirby threatens the woman and says there is a bomb somewhere.

At 5:35 p.m. on Nov. 29, 2020, a man called central dispatch’s non-emergency line and said there was a bomb at the woman’s residence and that he was going to kill the woman.

An hour later, the man-made another threat regarding a bomb at Meijer. This call came through 911 and originated from the number used on Nov. 27 to make a bomb threat. Officers determined the call came from Deluxe Inn and found Kirby at the hotel. Kirby had a cellphone on his person with the phone number used on Nov. 27 and 29 to make threats.

During court proceedings, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Sobek noted Kirby’s extensive criminal history and prior consistent convictions. Defense Attorney John Barrett said Kirby has accepted responsibility for his actions. He also submitted an acceptance letter for Kirby’s participation in Serenity House to the court.

“I have tons of remorse for what happened,” said Kirby, saying one of the most difficult things he’ll ever have to do is tell his child about this.

“I think the hardest thing you would have to do is look (the victim) in the eyes and tell her why you constantly threatened her and threatened to blow up Meijer,” said Kosciusko Superior Court One Special Judge Karen Springer.

For each criminal charge, Judge Springer sentenced Kirby to two years in the Indiana Department of Corrections, with one year suspended on probation. All charges will be served consecutively to each other. In total, Kirby will serve four years in DoC and four years on probation. He also has 140 days of jail time credit in this case.

“This is a very troubling case to me,” said Judge Springer. “I don’t believe you’re ready for Serenity House, sir. To me, it’s a safety risk.”