Columbus man sentenced to 5 years for attempted residential entry, theft and intimidation

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Bartholomew County Superior Court 1 sentenced a local man on May 6 to five years for charges including attempted residential entry and theft.

In February 2025, the Columbus Police Department (CPD) was dispatched to a home in Columbus about an attempted residential entry and theft. The suspect, Derek Rothrock, was observed on security footage attempting to enter the residence at approximately 3:40 a.m.  

Following an investigation, Rothrock was arrested, found in possession of methamphetamine, and charged with Attempted Residential Entry (Level 6 felony), Possession of Meth (Level 6 felony), and Conversion (Class A misdemeanor).  

On November 15, 2025, officers were summoned to a house in Columbus regarding a domestic disturbance. After an inquiry, CPD learned Rothrock had threatened to kill an individual in the residence and damaged the victim’s cell phone.  

Rothrock was arrested and charged with Intimidation (Level 6 felony) and Criminal Mischief (Class A misdemeanor). In March 2026, he entered pleas of guilty to Attempted Residential Entry (Level 6 felony), Possession of Meth (Level 6 felony), and Intimidation (Level 6 felony).   

On May 6, 2026, Judge James Worton of Bartholomew County Superior Court 1 sentenced Rothrock to two years in the Indiana Department of Correction for Attempted Residential Entry (Level 6 felony) and 14 months in the Indiana Department of Correction for Possession of Meth (Level 6 felony), with those counts to run consecutively to each other.  

For the charge of Intimidation (Level 6 felony), Judge Worton sentenced Rothrock to two years in the Indiana Department of Corrections.  

In total, the convict was sentenced to five years and two months in the Indiana Department of Corrections.