Five people, including a former sheriff, have been granted immunity in the upcoming trial of Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine, according to court documents filed Friday.
Special Prosecutor Nelson Chipman sought the immunity ruling, which was granted by Special Judge Evan Roberts.
Immunity was granted to three law enforcement officials – former Sheriff William “Rocky” Goshert, Det. Sgt. Joe Mooney and jailer Joseph Courtois.
Also granted immunity were Mark Soto, a former Grace College professor, and Kevin Bronson, a mixed martial arts fighter.
Soto and Bronson were indicted along with Rovenstine.
Immunity means testimony by any of the five state witness can not be used against them in future court proceedings.
Prosecutors allege Bronson was attempting to raise money for a movie to be made about his life in martial arts, gangs and drugs and his subsequent conversion to Christianity. While trying to raise the funds, Bronson was arrested on drug charges and the movie was never produced.
The charges against Bronson and Soto result from their alleged attempts to raise money for the movie.
A police investigation alleges Rovenstine agreed to accept money in exchange for allowing Soto and Bronson to meet unsupervised while Bronson was incarcerated on the drug charges.
Rovenstine faces a jury trial in February on ten felony counts, including bribery and intimidation.
In another recent court filing, Rovenstine’s lawyers are seeking to prevent any evidence from David Baker, Bronson’s attorney, to be used in the court hearing.
According to court documents, Baker was representing Bronson in his attempt to get a movie made, and police interviewed Baker about Bronson’s role in the case.
Rovenstine’s attorneys argue that conversations between Baker and Bronson were done under attorney client privilege and can not be entered into evidence.
Rovenstine’s lawyers allege Warsaw Police Department detectives misled Baker, telling him privilege didn’t apply in this case.
Soto and Bronson are scheduled to face their own bribery and corruption trial in April.
Prosecutors are close to reaching a plea agreement with Bronson, according to court documents. Judge Roberts has set a March deadline for any plea agreement.
Meanwhile, Kosciusko County has hired an attorney specifically to represent several deputies who may be deposed or called to testify because of a conflict of interest with the county attorney.
Chad Miner told the county commissioners last week that typically, the he would represent the deputies, but that can’t happen because Miner’s father, Michael Miner, is representing Rovenstine in his trial.
Chad Miner recommended attorney Scott Reust, of Rockhill Pinnick law firm in Warsaw, and the county commissioners approved the recommendation.
Reust will be paid the same pay rate, $200 per hour, as the county attorney, Chad Miner said.
Chad Miner did not identify the deputies, but said more than a dozen are expected to be deposed. Those depositions are expected to begin this week.
– Staff Writer Dan Spalding contributed to this report.
