SOUTH BEND -- After three days of testimony, James O'Hagan was convicted of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, possession of stolen property in the first degree, and bail jumping. The case took place in Pacific County Pacific Court last Wednesday through Friday.
The charges stem from a dispute over a truck and boat that O'Hagan refused to return to the owner, someone O'Hagan claimed owed him money. Despite several requests to return the vehicles, including requests from the Pacific County Sheriff's Office, O'Hagan refused and was subsequently charged with two felony counts. The third bail jumping arose when O'Hagan missed a court appearance. O'Hagan, with standby counsel, David Mistachkin, asserted O'Hagan was permitted to retain the property and claimed the charges were filed by a corrupt judicial system to derail his bid for elected office. The jury unanimously disagreed and found O'Hagan guilty as charged.
O'Hagan's sentencing is scheduled for March 23 at 3:30 pm in Superior Court.