School gun defendant receives probation

Michael K. Jones Submitted photo

COLUMBUS, Ind. — An East Everroad Park resident who admitted to carrying two loaded and concealed handguns into the Central Middle School parking lot testified in court Tuesday that he had no intention to harm anyone.

“I didn’t know anyone there (at the school) and I did not intend to meet any there,” said Michael Kristopher Jones, 39, of 2612 Griffa Ave.

When he appeared Tuesday before Bartholomew Superior Court 1 Judge James Worton for sentencing, Jones said he had permits for his two loaded 9mm Ruger handguns, and was just using the parking lot of Central, located at 725 Seventh St., as a shortcut to walk with his dog to Washington Street.

Nevertheless, Jones was sentenced to one and a half years on probation after pleading guilty last month in a plea agreement to possession of a firearm on school property as a Level 6 felony. Part of the plea bargain was that Jones serve his sentence with Bartholomew County Community Corrections, rather than behind bars.

Chief Deputy Prosecutor Greg Long said it appeared Jones had no intentions of hurting students or staff when he was arrested Aug. 19. But Long and Worton expressed strong concern regarding the defendant’s mental health, as well as a mutual contention that Jones must continue to be monitored. The defendant has been on electronic monitoring since posting a $7,500 bond on Oct. 22.

When Columbus Police Department School Resource Officer Greg Ross saw Jones engaging in suspicious behavior with his dog last summer at the middle school, Jones told the officer he was “using the K9 to detect drugs in the vehicles,” according to a probable cause affidavit. At that time, Ross became concerned that Jones might be on narcotics or off necessary prescribed medications, court documents state.

During police questioning, Jones said he used to live in Columbia roughly two and a half years ago, where he taught English. But then he claimed that a certain group of “gangsterish” people ran him out of the South American country and that he had returned to his hometown of Columbus, the affidavit states.

But then, Jones told police he began seeing the “gangsterish” people in Columbus either stalking him or following him while driving Jeeps, according to the affidavit.

When asked about those claims Tuesday, Jones told the judge that “my comments may have been misconstrued.”

But other claims made by Jones included being followed by a black helicopter and suffered an assault by a Vietnamese subject hiding in bushes — both at the Atterbury Wildlife Reserve. He also said he was carrying concealed weapons because he was scared of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to the Ruger handguns, officers also found a 9mm Springfield XD pistol in Jones’ 2013 Nissan, which was parked in the 600 block of Washington Street. The pistol was unloaded, but police found a pistol magazine with bullets inside it, the affidavit states. During the investigation, two Columbus police detectives also confiscated an AR-15 style rifle in Jones’ home, according to the police statement.

Also found was a notebook belonging to Jones that had random words and diagrams, with references to “Van Helsing” “Columbian toddler killer” and “Zombie apocalypse survivor,” among others. The notebook was found in his car, the affidavit states.

Testifying on his own behalf, Jones claimed that after his last mental health evaluation two months ago, his physician concluded he was no longer in need of psychiatric counseling.

But his wife, as well as other members of his family, have expressed their concern that the defendant needs treatment for mental health issues, Long said.

During the hearing, Worton expressed disbelief after finding out Jones did not discuss his erratic behavior leading to his arrest during his previous counseling sessions.

“I don’t think I have mental health issues,” Jones said.

After hearing Jones testify, Worton said he was convinced the defendant does not have insight into the seriousness of his actions and situation.

Terms of Jones’ probation include possessing no firearms, staying off school property, not having contact with students, obtaining ongoing treatment from Centerstone Behavioral Health Services and complying with his therapist’s recommendations.

“If the therapist doesn’t hear about this incident, I’ll revoke your probation,” the judge told Jones.

To ensure the defendant sees his therapist, Jones will be required to turn over signed releases of each evaluation session to Bartholomew County Community Corrections, Worton said.