Michael Wayne Thomas

WARSAW — Michael Wayne Thomas, 23, Leesburg, was sentenced on one count of criminal confinement, a level 5 felony, and one count domestic battery, a level 6 felony.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, On April 1, police were called to a business for a report of an individual refusing to leave. When police arrived, they found Thomas in the parking lot. Thomas advised that he had not been asked to leave and was merely trying to talk to his girlfriend.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, when police spoke to the girlfriend, she advised that Thomas had moved in with her and was now refusing to leave. She also advised that earlier in the day Thomas had begun calling her names when she attempted to leave the residence. Thomas had pulled her back inside the apartment, throwing her against the oven where she struck her head. Thomas also held down her head and attempted to strike her in the face. She advised that she was able to get up but Thomas would not let her leave.

She went on to tell police that Thomas had thrown her on to a coffee table and against a wall, hurting her back and arm. She reported that the pain was such that she could not move for 10 minutes.

After insisting to Thomas that she had to return to work, Thomas let her leave but told her he would kill her if police were contacted. Officials at her place of employment notified police after she returned to work.

Judge David Cates accepted the probation recommendation of an anger management class at the Bowen Center, as well as serving two years for criminal confinement and two years for domestic battery. Time shall be served concurrently.

Furthermore, Judge Cates suspended one year from each count substituting it with probation. Thomas is expected to get his GED as a condition of the probation terms.

Thomas has been fined $50 for domestic battery and $300 for court council fees.