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Bloomfield Man Pleads Guilty To Aggravated Battery With A Firearm

Last updated on Wednesday, August 23, 2017

(BLOOMFIELD) - A Bloomfield man has pleaded guilty to a Level 3 felony charge of aggravated battery with a firearm in a negotiated plea deal.

36-year-old Shawn Dotson was facing charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and battery.

Police say on November 24, 2016, Dotson shot Eric Townsend as he exited his vehicle following an argument. Townsend was shot in the neck with the bullet lodging in his shoulder. The shooting followed an argument between Townsend and Dotson regarding a damaged trailer hitch. Dotson shot Townsend after he exited his vehicle to confront him.

Dotson called police and reported that he and a witness had come across Townsend and found him lying in the roadway.

Police found the Taurus PT92 in possession of Michelle Sanders, of Williams. She was in a relationship with Dotson. The weapon was the same one that had killed her husband Robert Sanders. He died from a single self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police also found a photo of Dotson holding the gun a Sanders' home on Dotson's cellphone. But Sanders told police that was not possible because the gun had been locked in a safe.

On December 8, 2016 the Indiana State Police confirmed the bullet that injured Townsend was fired from Sander's gun.

Police say Sanders lied under oath when she swore Dotson never handled the handgun and she was arrested on a warrant for perjury.

After being arrested Sanders was granted immunity and changed her testimony saying she had a phone conversation with Dotson in which he admitted to shooting.

Dotson's sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 9, in which he can be sentenced to three to 16 years.

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