By SYDNEY KENT
“No cellular telephones, communication devices, laptops,” Judge Kenton Kiracofe ordered, “nothing capable of accessing the internet.”
The order was given to Joseph Donald Edwards Brindle, 27, Bluffton, who is facing charges for possession of child pornography, invasion of privacy and failure to register as a sex offender — all Level 6 felonies.
Brindle appeared in the Wells Circuit Court earlier this month to address his bond. His mother testified on his behalf, telling the court that she would turn him in if he committed a crime. His bond was set at $50,000.
“He has a significant outstanding sentence at this point,” Kiracofe said. “If I set bond I consider the risk of nonappearance, risk on probation, his potential sentence that could be imposed and the threat to the community.”
Prosecutor Jeffrey Steinburg asked the court to deny the request, stating that Brindle had violated probation more than once. Steinburg emphasized that Brindle’s previous violations involved deceit.
“Having a phone he was not supposed to have, lying about it,” Steinburg explained. “He is alleged to have accessed child pornography while on probation. These are serious violations. With all due respect to his mother, he was living there when these things occurred.”
According to a probable cause affidavit, in November 2020, a 14-year-old girl reported that she drank alcohol and had sex with Brindle. In 2021, Brindle was convicted of sexual misconduct with a minor, a Level 4 felony. He was sentenced to six years in prison with 1,950 days suspended. As part of the conditions of his release, Brindle is not allowed to have contact with the victim in the case.
In February 2022, Brindle attempted to send the victim’s mother a message using the CHIRP system from the Wells County Jail. He received an additional 44 days in jail for the charge.
He has reportedly continued to violate the no-contact order on more than one occasion.
Brindle is scheduled for a pretrial conference at 9 a.m. on Aug. 5. He is also scheduled for a hearing on the probation violation in the original case at 1 p.m. on Aug. 7.
sydney@news-banner.com
