Indiana sheriff avoids prison time for intimidation charge

WARSAW, Ind. (AP) - A northern Indiana sheriff is avoiding prison time after pleading guilty to an intimidation charge stemming from an investigation of unrecorded phone calls and visits allowed for a jail inmate.

Kosciusko (kahs-ee-AHS'-koh) County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine was sentenced by a judge Tuesday to a year of probation and 250 hours of community service. Rovenstine pleaded guilty to the felony intimidation charge last month as prosecutors dropped bribery and other counts.

Rovenstine is automatically removed as sheriff under state law.

Rovenstine was indicted last year on charges of accepting $40,000 to allow the special privileges for a jail inmate. The Republican sheriff was accused of intimidating a Warsaw police detective who became suspicious of Rovenstine's activities.