Gary man faces 20 years in 18-month-old daughter’s death

A Gary man faces 20 years in a plea deal for his 18-month-old daughter’s death.

Casey Burnett, 25, admitted May 7 to aggravated battery.

If Judge Gina Jones accepts the plea, his sentencing hearing is June 5.

He was originally charged with murder, level 1 felony aggravated battery and level 1 felony neglect of a dependent resulting in death, according to court records.

A probable cause affidavit says his daughter, Kylee Burnett, died in September 2022 as a result of injuries consistent with shaken-baby syndrome.

Shoplifter faces 6.5 years for dragging cop with vehicle in altercation

An Ohio man signed a plea deal for reversing his car and dragging a cop during an altercation after he was caught shoplifting at a Kohl’s store. Highland Police fired shots in his car, wounding him.

Jomo Wilson, 56, of Shaker Heights, Ohio, admitted May 16 to aggravated battery.

If Judge Salvador Vasquez accepts, he faces 6.5 years in prison.

His sentencing date is June 12.

Highland police arrived at Kohl’s, in the Highland Grove shopping center, at 2:17 p.m. Feb. 17, 2023.

The store’s Loss Prevention Officer called the police after he spotted Wilson leaving with an unpaid cart. Wilson had shoplifted there at least five times before, the man told police.

As the police ordered him to stop, Wilson jumped in the driver’s seat of a rental car. When they tried to arrest Wilson, he put the 2022 silver Ford Escape in reverse, dragging Cpl. Michael Yonkman, which pinned him against another car.

Officer Kade Sapp opened fire through the windshield, hitting Wilson in the right hand, who crashed the car before he was arrested, charges show.

The Loss Prevention Officer said he heard “multiple gunshots.”

Hammond woman signs plea for setting cars on fire

A Hammond woman signed a plea deal Tuesday for setting multiple cars on fire in 2023.

Antoinette Prieto, 29, admitted May 19 to arson and stalking. The plea deal carries a sentence up to five years.

However, the plea deal requires her to complete a 12- to 18-month Therapeutic Intervention Court program — or mental health court.

If she does, the charges will be dismissed.

Her next hearing is June 2 before Judge Natalie Bokota.

Griffith police responded on Feb. 16, 2023 for a reported vehicle fire on the 1200 block of East 35th Avenue. A Ford Explorer and two other adjacent vehicles were on fire.

Officers located and stopped a vehicle owned by Antoinette Prieto, of Hammond, who was known to police from the prior Explorer fire as well as other criminal mischief. Prieto’s hair and eyebrows were burned, her jacket appeared to have melted and she smelled like smoke, according to Post-Tribune archives.

Prieto later admitted responsibility for both arsons and the other acts of criminal mischief, telling officers she was targeting the Explorer’s owner, police said.

Illinois man faces probation for trying to force sex act in car

A girl told police a man tried to get her to perform oral sex while giving her a ride home from a friend’s house on Dec. 22, 2022, records show.

Fermin Ortiz, 22, admitted to sexual battery and criminal confinement. He faces up to 8.5 years.

If Judge Salvador Vasquez accepts, his sentencing hearing is July 9.

— Meredith Colias-Pete