***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31, 2015

PARKS FAILS TO APPEAR FOR TRIAL, CONVICTED OF CHILD SOLICITATION IN 10 MINUTES

Media Contact: Curtis T. Hill, Jr. (574) 296-1888

On March 30 it took an Elkhart County Circuit Court jury 10 minutes to convict Darnell Parks, age 34 of Child Solicitation, a Class D felony. A young victim testified that Parks asked to engage in sexual intercourse in July of 2013. Parks was arrested for this offense last October and posted bond in November. Perhaps sensing the writing on the wall, Parks failed to appear for his own trial. The State was able to proceed with the case because Parks previously acknowledged his trial date. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Once arrested, Parks faces a sentence of 6 months to 3 years for this offense. Additionally, because Parks was on probation for Dealing in Cocaine at the time of the offense, he faces an additional 8 years of incarceration.

This case was handled by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney David Francisco before Judge Terry Shewmaker. Sentencing is scheduled for April 23, 2015.

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“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”