(Dearborn County, IN) – An Aurora couple was arrested following a confrontation involving utility workers and law enforcement on Friday, October 30.
Dearborn County Prosecutor Lynn Deddens says criminal charges have been filed against 60-year-old Lisa Barker and 66-year-old Bobby Hensley.
Barker faces four felony charges, including three level 5 felonies, after allegedly threatening employees of Southeastern lndiana REMC with a firearm while they were attempting to repair electrical lines.
Hensley faces two Level 6 felony charges of Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer and a Class A misdemeanor charge of Resisting Law Enforcement.
According to the probable cause affidavit, law enforcement was dispatched to Barker’s residence on East Laughery Creek Road in Aurora after receiving reports of a confrontation between her and REMC employees.
The utility workers were attempting to address damaged electrical lines when Barker allegedly confronted them over their presence on her property.
Dispatchers received a report that Barker had threatened workers with a handgun.
The workers were unable to immediately leave the area because they were dealing with live electrical lines that could not be safely and quickly removed.
One employee told investigators that Barker displayed a small black firearm and questioned whether she needed to shoot someone in the back or head.
Another employee, who was elevated in a utility bucket working near the power lines, reported hearing Barker say, “l guess its going to take me putting a bullet in the back of your head for you to get the message.”
A third employee reported that Barker asked whether she needed to retrieve her gun to get him off her property, according to court documents.
Deddens says all three workers reported feeling threatened or intimidated by Barker’s conduct.
When a Dearborn County Sheriff’s deputy anived, he encountered Barker and Hensley speaking with an REMC employee.
Investigators says the deputy asked Barker whether she had a weapon, and she acknowledged possessing one.
According to the affidavit, the deputy ordered Barker to drop the firearm, but she instead placed it behind her back in a holster.
A Dearborn County Sheriff’s Sergeant and Aurora Police Chief Josh Daugherty arrived to assist.
As officers attempted to take Barker into custody, Hensley allegedly intervened, attempting to push and kick the Sergeant.
A physical struggle followed, during which Barker’s firearm came out from behind her back.
Chief Daugherty also became involved in a struggle with Hensley, and the two collided with a patrol vehicle, causing a large dent in the door.
Both Barker and Hensley were ultimately taken into custody after officers deployed tasers.
Barker has been charged with two counts of lntimidation with a Deadly Weapon (both Level 5 felonies); one count of Intimidation (Level 6 felony), and one count of Resisting Law Enforcement with a Deadly Weapon (Level 5 felony).
Hensley is charged with two counts of Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer (both Level 6 felonies) and one count of Resisting Law Enforcement (Class A misdemeanor).
An initial hearing was set for November 2 before Judge Aaron Negangard in Dearborn Circuit Court.
Barker has a pending case in Dearborn Superior Court I; the State is looking to have her bond revoked in that matter.
