COLUMBUS, Ind. – Bartholomew County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Holden-Kay announced Thursday that Thomas Neal, 59, of Columbus, was convicted of child sex crimes by a jury after a two-day trial in the Bartholomew County Circuit Court presided over by Judge Kelly Benjamin.
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Kimberly Sexton-Yeager and Deputy Prosecutor Meagan Dial-McDonough presented the State’s case and were assisted by Detective Jason Lancaster with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office.
Lancaster began an investigation on March 9 of last year when the sheriff’s office received a report of offenses of the sexual abuse of a child. The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) conducted an investigation that led to the arrest of Thomas Neal on March 22, 2024. After the presentation of evidence, the jury deliberated for 20 minutes before reaching a verdict and less than five minutes deliberating the Habitual Offender enhancement.
Prosecutor Holden-Kay stated. “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the victim and their family for their unwavering strength and commitment to seeking justice in this case. I also want to acknowledge the exemplary work of Detective Lancaster and BCSO in conducting a thorough investigation and my team for their dedication and diligence during the trial.”
Neal is scheduled to be sentenced on April 10.
