BEDFORD — Former Lawrence County Sheriff Deputy Jon D. Flynn of Crane entered a pretrial diversion agreement in Lawrence County Superior Court before Judge Robert Cline.
In Indiana, a pretrial diversion program allows certain criminal defendants to avoid conviction by fulfilling specific conditions set by the prosecutor’s office. These programs are generally available to first-time offenders or those charged with non-violent crimes, though participation is ultimately at the prosecutor’s discretion.
Participants in the pretrial diversion program are typically required to complete conditions such as community service, drug testing, or counseling. If they successfully fulfill these requirements, the charges against them are dismissed, allowing them to avoid a conviction. However, failure to complete the program can lead to prosecution for the original charges.
Flynn, represented by Bedford attorneys Scott Callahan and Katie Simon, faces several charges, including:
- Battery with bodily injury to a public safety officer (Level 5 Felony) — this charge has since been dropped
- Intimidation communicated due to the victim’s occupation (Level 6 Felony)
- Criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon (Level 6 Felony)
- Resisting law enforcement (Level 1 Felony)
- Escape (Level 5 Felony)
- Intimidation (Level 1 Felony)
- Criminal mischief (added following his arrest)
The charge of battery with bodily injury to a public safety officer was dismissed.
The charges stem from an incident on February 4, 2024, when the Martin County Sheriff’s Department, Loogootee Police Department, and Indiana State Police responded to a fire at Flynn’s home on Blandy Street in Crane, which he allegedly started. A neighbor reported the fire, saying coals were landing on his roof.
Deputy Matthew Branham arrived at the scene to find smoldering material. After leaving, Branham received further reports that Flynn had become hostile and was firing a gun. Upon his arrest, Flynn reportedly exhibited aggressive behavior, kicking the seat and the center console while being transported to the Martin County Security Center.
