COLUMBUS, Ind. – Bartholomew County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Holden-Kay announced Thursday that Thomas Neal, 59, of Columbus, was convicted of child sex crimes 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 inquiry on March 9 of last year when the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) received a report of offenses of the sexual abuse of a child. The BCSO investigation 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.
