PIERCETON — A Pierceton man was sentenced Thursday, Nov. 30, in Kosciusko Superior 1 Court, on charges of intimidation and domestic battery.

Jacob Paul Miller, 44, 7103 E. US 30, Pierceton, was charged with count II intimidation, and count III battery, both level 6 felonies. The charges stem from an incident that occurred July 9 at the Pierceton Motel.

On that date, an officer with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department responded to a domestic battery in room eight at the motel. Upon arrival, the officer knocked on the door but received no answer. After the officer knocked again and identified himself, a male subject inside the motel room yelled, “Get out of here!”

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the officer observed a nude female, who appeared to be in distress, open the curtain. She unlocked the window, but the male slammed the window shut and yelled at her.

The officer spent a period of time attempting to negotiate with Miller to open the door. The female was heard pleading with Miller to stop. When Miller continued to remain in the room, the officer forced entry into the room. Miller resisted the officer, and a taser was deployed to subdue him.

The victim advised that around 2 p.m., Miller became angry and started hitting her. He held her in the room and would not let her leave. She further advised that Miller threatened to kill her and then kill himself. The victim was observed to have visible red marks on the left side of her neck.

The victim spoke in court during today’s sentencing. She stated she has known Miller since 2012.

“I still love him,” the victim stated. “He’s not a bad person.”

A visibly emotional Miller said, “I want to apologize to the courts and everybody who has taken a chance on me. I let a lot of people down.” Miller also apologized to his children and to the victim.

“You have a substantial criminal history,” Judge David Cates said to Miller. “You’re telling me you’re sorry for these things. I’m going to try to fashion a sentence that will allow you to show me that you’re sorry and to see how serious you are about addressing your issues.”

In regards to the count II intimidation charge, Cates sentenced Miller to two and a half years in the custody of the Kosciusko County sheriff, with one and a half years of the sentence to be suspended.

For the count III domestic battery charge, Miller was sentenced to two and a half years in the custody of the Kosciusko County sheriff, with one and a half years of the sentence to be suspended.

Cates ordered the sentences to be served concurrently. Cates further ordered the suspended portion of both sentences to be served on probation. Miller was given 145 days of jail time credit. He was ordered to attend the Bowen Center for an assessment and follow-up in regards to substance abuse and anger management programs. Miller was ordered to pay court fees and to obtain and maintain employment once he is released.

Cates issued a no contact order with regard to the victim but said he may reconsider this order after successful completion by Miller of the Bowen Center programs.

“I want you to be successful in those programs,” Cates stated. “I hope you want to be successful in those programs.”

Pursuant to the plea agreement, two other charges were dropped.