Harve Hensley Sentenced to Six Years in Prison Following Stalking and Perjury Convictions

Shows a thorough assessment of the impact of Hensley’s conduct and the facts of the case

Jefferson County, Indiana, Jefferson Superior Court Judge Blaine Goode sentenced Harve Hensley following his stalking and perjury convictions in a bench trial last month. Hensley was sentenced to total of six (6) years all executed at the Indiana Department of Corrections.

“I commend Judge Goode’s issuance of a fully executed sentence as it shows a thorough assessment of the impact of Hensley’s conduct and the facts of the case. It justly considers Hensley’s lack of remorse for disregarding his father’s wishes and the law in addition to refusing to acknowledge the real fear he caused for the victim” said Prosecutor David Sutter

“This sentence provides the victim and their family with much needed peace and security in the years ahead.”

The terror Hensley has brought upon the victim, stems from Hensley’s attempts to establish ownership of property in Deputy, Indiana, to which he has no claim to. Upon his father’s death, Harve was not named as a trustee or beneficiary and hence not allocated property from that trust agreement. The property was later legally sold to the victim in this case. Despite being told by numerous judges and the court of appeals that he has no legal authority or claim to the property; Hensley repeatedly harassed the victim and their family by making unlawful attempts to obtain ownership over the property.

During the sentencing hearing, the Court heard victim impact statements detailing the torment inflicted by Hensley. The victim shared during their statement “Harve’s relentless actions have cast a shadow over what should have been a peaceful sanctuary” adding “the only time we have had any peace is when Harve has been incarcerated”

In imposing the sentence, the Court found multiple aggravating factors, including that the harm suffered by the victim was significant and greater than necessary to prove the offense, that he has a history of criminal behavior, that the crimes were premeditated, that a lesser sentence would depreciate the seriousness of the offenses, and that the Hensley showed a lack of remorse. The Court found no mitigating circumstances.

“If you continue down this course of conduct, you will find yourself in criminal court again.” said Judge Blaine Goode.

Under Indiana law, repeat felony convictions can expose a defendant to substantial sentence enhancements in the future, if the habitual offender status is applicable. The habitual offender enhancement is a sentencing tool that allows the State to seek a significant additional term of incarceration, when a defendant has accumulated a minimum of three (3) prior unrelated felony convictions.

“Our commitment to protecting the people of Jefferson County and holding repeat offenders accountable hasn’t changed. Hensley’s continued pattern of felony convictions is deeply concerning and is moving him closer to meeting the criteria for the habitual offender enhancement. If that threshold is reached in the future, our office will carefully evaluate and pursue that enhancement as appropriate under Indiana law.”