Court News
CALIFORNIA MAN SENTENCED TO 105 YEARS IN MAJOR CHILD EXPLOITATION & RAPE CONVICTION
– 2 min read
📍 BEDFORD, IN — A multi-agency prosecution in Lawrence Superior Court 2 has concluded with a 105-year prison sentence for a California man following a four-day jury trial.
On August 27, 2026, Judge Robert "Bob" Cline sentenced Bernardo Revelez Tapia after a jury found him guilty across nine separate felony counts, along with a Repeat Sexual Offender Enhancement.
The Legal Representation & Investigation
The prosecution was spearheaded through interagency collaboration involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies:
- Prosecution Team: Special Deputy Prosecutor Carrie Speer (Greene County) and Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sarah Cummings represented the State of Indiana.
- Defense Counsel: Timothy Sledd and Nicole Smith of the Lawrence County Public Defender’s Office represented Tapia.
- Investigative Support: The case involved joint efforts between the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office, Greene County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, federal law enforcement, and the Lawrence County Prosecutor's Office.
Lawrence County Prosecutor Samuel C. Arp II commended the joint efforts:
"This was a great example of interagency collaboration between the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office, Greene County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, federal law enforcement and my administration. This case represents a justice system that fires on all cylinders to protect the youth of southern Indiana. It is my hope that would-be predators take notice of the consequences they will face if they come into our community. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of the jury, the judge, and all who assisted with this successful prosecution."
🔍 Trial & Jury Verdict Breakdown
(Cause No. 47D02-2409-F1-001280)
Following a trial that ran from July 27 through July 30, 2026, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts:
- Count 1: Rape (Level 1 Felony) — Guilty
- Count 2: Rape (Level 1 Felony) — Guilty
- Count 3: Child Molesting (Defendant 21+ Years of Age) (Level 1 Felony) — Guilty
- Count 4: Child Molesting (Defendant 21+ Years of Age) (Level 1 Felony) — Guilty
- Count 5: Promotion of Child Sexual Trafficking (Level 3 Felony) — Guilty
- Count 6: Promotion of Sexual Trafficking of a Younger Child (Level 3 Felony) — Guilty
- Count 7: Strangulation (Level 6 Felony) — Guilty
- Count 8: Strangulation (Level 6 Felony) — Guilty
- Count 9: Obstruction of Justice (Level 6 Felony) — Guilty
- Enhancement: Repeat Sexual Offender Sentence Enhancement — Found/Granted
⛓️ Final Disposition
- Total Executed Sentence: 105 Years committed to the Indiana Department of Correction.
- Medical Orders: Following the jury verdict, Judge Cline issued mandatory HIV testing orders for Tapia pursuant to IC 35-38-1-10.5.
Written by
Read next
Police Log 08/28/2026
Police Log: August 26 – 28, 2026 Bedford Police Department & Lawrence County Sheriff's Department This public safety report summarizes key law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical service activities across Bedford and Lawrence County from the evening of August 26 through the early morning hours of August 28, 2026. All individuals referenced in law enforcement reports are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Arrests * Paul Edmond Freeman (58), Bedford: Arrested by BeMitchell Mother and Son Sentenced to IDOC for Dealing Methamphetamine After Seizure of Over 70 Grams
A joint mother-son narcotics investigation conducted by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office has concluded with prison sentences in Lawrence Superior Court 1 for both defendants. Alicia A. Claffey, 49, and her adult son, Cody A. Powell, 21, both of Mitchell, were sentenced to the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) after entering negotiated plea agreements with the State of Indiana for dealing methamphetamine. According to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office, the convictions stem from
BRIEM SENTENCED TO 10-YEAR STRUCTURED TERM IN JANUARY SPEEDWAY SHOOTING CASE
BEDFORD, IN — The high-profile felony case against 19-year-old Talon R. Briem, stemming from a January 2026 gas station gunfire incident, has concluded in Lawrence Superior Court 1. On September 30, 2026, Judge John M. Plummer III accepted a negotiated plea agreement and executed a 10-year structured commitment order combining state prison time, electronic home monitoring, and supervised probation. Briem, whose address is listed in Orleans, IN (DOB: 04/06/2007), was represented by defense attor
Police Log 10/14/2026
Bedford Police Department & Lawrence County Sheriff's Department Public Safety Log: October 13 – 14, 2026 All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Arrests & Citations * Dustin Quin Parker (35), Bedford: Cited by Bedford Police Animal Control at 322 M St on Oct. 13 at 9:07 AM for Animal Running at Large. Later taken into custody by Bedford Police at 1310 3rd St on Oct. 13 at 10:02 AM on an active warrant for Petition to Revoke Probation (PTR). Incident Hig
Bedford man accused of breaking into neighbor’s apartment, ramming door with a bathroom door
BEDFORD — A 37-year-old Bedford man was arrested Sunday after police say he forced his way into a neighbor’s apartment and heavily damaged it, using a door taken from his own bathroom to ram the entrance. Adam Trent Shoults, of the 1400 block of 13th Street, was arrested Oct. 11 on preliminary charges of burglary of a dwelling, residential entry and criminal mischief, according to a probable cause affidavit filed by the Bedford Police Department. Police were called to the building at about 11:
Bedford woman accused of kicking, scratching officers after arrest outside warming shelter
BEDFORD — A 25-year-old Bedford woman is facing preliminary charges after police say she fought officers, kicking one and cutting another’s hand, following her arrest outside the Men’s Warming Shelter early Saturday. Tayler Rasor, of the 2900 block of Ted Jones Drive, was arrested Oct. 10 on preliminary charges of battery on a public safety official, resisting law enforcement by force with bodily injury, public intoxication and disorderly conduct, according to a probable cause affidavit filed b