By John Estridge
An act of apparent road rage has resulted in a felony and two misdemeanor charges.
Richard Hinson, 45, St. Mary’s Road, was charged with Battery, as a Level 6 Felony; Criminal Mischief; as a class B misdemeanor; and Reckless Driving, as a class C misdemeanor.
According to a Narrative written by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Andrew Voelker, on the morning of May 26, a local delivery person pulled out of a drive on St. Mary’s Road after completing a delivery at that address.
The delivery person said a blue Jeep came up behind him very quickly, went around the delivery vehicle and stopped in the road. This caused the delivery person to take his vehicle around the stopped Jeep and continue on.
Again, the Jeep came up behind the delivery vehicle quickly, went around the vehicle and again, stopped in the road. A male about six feet tall exited the Jeep, came back and allegedly punched the delivery driver in the jaw and stomach before trying to get the driver into a headlock. When this occurred, the delivery driver’s glasses were bent.
After the incident, the delivery driver went to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and a report was made of the incident.
On the next day, the delivery driver went back to the FCSC and reported the suspect’s blue Jeep was discovered near the residence where the driver had made the delivery on May 26.
Voelker went to the address and knocked on the door. No one answered the door, but Voelker discovered the Jeep in question was parked at the house and was owned by Hinson.
On May 31, Voelker arranged a photo array of six males. The alleged victim immediately picked out one of the photos as the man who allegedly battered him. It was Hinson’s photo.
Based on that information, Franklin County Prosecutor Chris Huerkamp filed the charges which were signed by Franklin Circuit Court 2 Judge Clay Kellerman.
If convicted of a Level 6 Felony, Hinson could receive a sentence of a half year to 2.5 years in the FCSC. A class B misdemeanor conviction carries with it a sentence of up to 180 days in the FCSC. A class C misdemeanor’s sentence is up to 90 days in the FCSC.
According to mycase.org, Hinson pleaded guilty to in January 2016, to Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon as a Level 6 Felony and was sentenced to 545 days in the FCSC with 485 days suspended to probation. His fines and fees totaled $1,113.
In June 2010, he pleaded guilty to Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated, as a class B misdemeanor, and was sentenced to 365 days in the FCSC with all time suspended. His Operator’s License was suspended for 180 days with the allowance he could drive to and from his work. His fines and fees totaled $954.40.
He has also pleaded guilty to Passing in a No Passing Zone in July 2021, Operating with Expired Plates in 2018 and Speeding in 2009.
