JAY COUNTY, Ind. (WPTA/Gray News) – Derek Bogenschutz, a former Jay County Sheriff’s deputy, has been offered a plea deal after being accused of using a fake Facebook profile to harass an elementary school teacher he once went on a date with.
The plea deal, if accepted by the judge, would allow Bogenschutz to avoid jail time. Under the terms of the agreement, Bogenschutz would serve 540 days for identity deception, but all of the sentence would be suspended. He would instead serve the time on probation. The plea also stipulates that he have no contact with the woman he is accused of harassing.
Bogenschutz, who had also worked as a part-time resource officer at West Jay Elementary School, was charged after an investigation by the Indiana State Police revealed he allegedly created a fake Facebook profile under the name “Katie Morgan.” Using this account, Bogenschutz allegedly contacted the teacher to claim that her boyfriend, a Union City Police Department officer, was “playing” them both. He also allegedly sent fabricated screenshots of conversations that seemed to show the teacher’s boyfriend arguing with “Katie” about him speaking to other women.
Aside from this case, Bogenschutz faced disciplinary actions in 2019 for erratic driving, resulting in a five-day unpaid leave and a 30-day suspension of his take-home car privileges.
Bogenschutz is scheduled for sentencing on February 26, pending approval of the plea deal.