BROWNSTOWN — A Norman man has been sentenced to 10 years in state prison following a negotiated plea agreement in Jackson Circuit Court, concluding a criminal case stemming from the assault of a minor earlier this year.
During an October 29, 2026, sentencing session, Judge Richard William Poynter formally handed down the sentence for 61-year-old Robert D. Canada.
The case originated in April 2026 when law enforcement officers with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department launched an inquiry into the sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl. Following an investigation led by Jackson County Detective J.L. McElfresh, authorities arrested Canada on April 9, 2026, initially filing a Level 1 felony charge of child molesting.
According to court filings, Canada was held at the Jackson County Jail without bond through his initial proceedings.
On September 22, 2026, Canada appeared in custody before Judge Poynter and withdrew his original plea of not guilty. Under the terms of a negotiated plea agreement, Canada admitted guilt to a lesser-included charge of child molesting.
Canada waived his right to a 30-day statutory waiting period between the change-of-plea hearing and sentencing, remaining in custody until his final disposition.
Judge Poynter formally entered judgment and structured the final sentence as follows:
Canada was sentenced to 3,650 days (10 years) to the Department of Corrections, with confinement commencing immediately on October 29, 2026. The court ordered 1,825 days (5 years) of the total term to be suspended.
Canada received 205 days of jail credit for time served in local custody between his April arrest and the sentencing date.
Upon release from the Indiana Department of Correction, Canada is legally mandated to register as a sex offender in accordance with Indiana Code 11-8-8-19.
