‘Terroristic mischief” term suspended

• George Kinser sent letters containing what he alleged was anthrax to three local police officers.
• Kinser’s attorney said his client was “mildly mentally handicapped,” and regretted his actions.
• The New Castle man, convicted of three felonies, was placed on probation for four years.

NEW CASTLE – A New Castle man who sent threatening letters to Henry County law enforcement officers — containing a white powder he claimed in notes was anthrax — has been placed on probation for four years.

George Alan Kinser, 51, on Thursday pleaded guilty to three counts of terrorist mischief. Henry Circuit Court 1 Judge Mary Willis accepted the terms of a plea agreement calling for the four-year suspended sentence.

Public defender Jeffrey Galyen noted mental health professionals had found his client to be “mildly mentally handicapped,” but capable of understanding the charges against him.

Under questioning by Galyen, Kinser acknowledged sending the letters — which actually contained talcum power — to the homes of the three officers last April.

“Do you regret doing that?” he asked his client.

“Yeah,’ Kinser responded.

Henry County Prosecutor Joseph Bergacs said he had contacted each of the three victims, and none objected to the terms of the plea bargain.

Bergacs said the agreement provided for “a fair resolution to the case, given that Mr. Kinser spent eight months in jail.”

Galyen said Kinser was now living in a local homeless shelter, as efforts continue to have him placed in a group home.

“We’re very hopeful that can be accomplished in the near future,” the attorney said.

Asked by the judge how he pleaded to the first of the charges against him, Kinser responded, “Guilty!”

Willis said she believed the plea agreement “insured both public safety and a just resolution.”

One of the three terroristic mischief charges was at first filed in Marion County, because the wife of one of the targeted officers opened the letter from Kinser — in the process spilling the talcum powder — while in Indianapolis.

That count was later transferred to Henry County.

Contact news reporter Douglas Walker at (765) 213-5851. You can also follow him on Twitter @DouglasWalkerSP.