HARTFORD CITY, Ind. — A Hartford City man arrested in May after an angry confrontation with Predator Catchers has agreed to plead guilty to child solicitation.
Tyler Wyatt Selig, 26, has signed a deal, negotiated with Blackford County prosecutors, calling for him to plead guilty to a Level 5 felony and then to be sentenced to six years in prison.
Judge Brian Bade in recent days took the plea bargain under advisement and tentatively set sentencing for Sept. 23.
Selig was arrested outside a local convenience store on the evening of May 24. Hartford City police said he had come to the store anticipating an encounter with a 14-year-old girl, but he had actually been communicating online with members of a local predator-hunting group posing as a juvenile.
A city officer reported he broke up an "altercation" between Selig and the group that appeared to be instigated by the Hartford City man.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, a count of resisting law enforcement pending against Selig is expected to be dismissed.
The officer said Selig resisted his efforts to pull him away from the altercation.
According to court records, Selig, formerly of Fort Wayne, has been convicted of crimes including auto theft, carrying a handgun without a license, escape, forgery, fraud and theft.
In other court news:
Plea agreement: A Marion man charged with abducting his ex-wife from her Hartford City home has agreed to plead guilty to two of six related charges pending against him.
Shayne E. Dudley, 54, in recent days pleaded guilty to intimidation and domestic battery with a deadly weapon, both Level 5 felonies with maximum six-year prison terms.
Under the terms of the plea bargain taken under advisement by Blackford Circuit Court Judge Brian Bade, Dudley would be sentenced to six years in prison, followed by six years on probation.
The judge tentatively set sentencing for Aug. 12. If the plea deal is accepted, four other charges pending against Dudley — criminal confinement, kidnapping, pointing a firearm and criminal mischief — would be dismissed.
Hartford City police said the ex-wife's abduction took place last Sept. 25. Dudley reportedly forced her at gunpoint to accompany him to his home in Marion and told the woman he intended to kill her.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
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