The sentencing hearing for child molesting suspect 34-year-old Adam Fritz was delayed in Starke Circuit Court after a proposed plea agreement was filed the day of the hearing.
Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall explained to those in attendance during Monday morning’s hearing that Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Bourff and Defense Attorney Blair Todd hand-delivered the plea agreement to the judge just prior to the hearing. The document hadn’t had a chance to be filed in the clerk’s office prior to the hearing.
Due to the timing of the reception of the document, Judge Hall stated that he did not have the chance to examine the proposed plea agreement to the extent needed, especially with the severity of the allegations filed in his case. He commented that he needs to review the court documents filed along with the plea agreement to ensure a proper judgment in order to accept or deny the agreement provided. With that, he rejected the plea agreement citing these reasons.
Fritz is charged with a Class A Felony charge of child molesting. Court documents say Fritz did perform or submit to sexual intercourse or deviate sexual conduct with a female child under the age of 14 years of age. The alleged act occurred between Aug. 19, 2013 and July 1, 2014. Fritz faces three additional charges of sexual misconduct with a minor as a Level 4 Felony from alleged incidents between July 1, 2014 and June 28, 2018. He remains incarcerated in the Starke County Justice Center with a $150,000 bond. He could face an extensive amount of jail time, if the proposed plea agreement is accepted.
The matter will be heard in Starke Circuit Court in a status hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 1 p.m.
