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Courts

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Battery, gun crimes draw 13 years

Moore

Allen Superior Court Judge John Surbeck sentenced a local man Monday to a total of 13 years in prison for offenses including intimidation, possession of a handgun and battery.

Although the most serious case against Odis Moore was dismissed – one alleging he confined, raped and battered an ex-girlfriend in October – Surbeck referenced the case, noting the date of that offense in relationship to the date in the intimidation case.

“It’s probably just by coincidence that on Oct. 10, you showed up at another lady’s house looking for (the alleged victim in the other case),” Surbeck said.

Moore was armed with a sawed-off shotgun at the time, according to court documents.

Moore, 19, said he took full responsibility for his actions and asked Surbeck to consider his age.

“I’m young and I’m still learning,” Moore said.

But prosecutors noted that Moore had numerous arrests as a juvenile for many of the same types of crimes, and when in the Allen County Jail awaiting conclusion of the intimidation, handgun and rape cases, he assaulted a confinement officer with the help of his cellmate.

“Even locking him up hasn’t prevented him from committing crimes,” Deputy Prosecutor Thomas Chaille said. “When he’s out he’s a danger to the community.”

Surbeck also ordered Moore to pay $6,294 in restitution to the Allen County Sheriff’s Department to reimburse medical bills incurred by the officer.