Sullivan Man Charged With Assaulting Landlord

A 49-year-old Sullivan man has been charged with assaulting his 61-year-old landlord following an incident on Wildwood Terrace, Tuesday, December 14.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Steve Pelton, deputies were called to an assault no longer in progress at a home off Wildwood Terrace, just outside of Sullivan.

Deputies arrived and made contact with a 61-year-old male from Rosebud, who stated he owned the rental property on Wildwood Terrace and had gone to one of the properties Tuesday to clean up the yard.

The renter, identified as Rodney Joseph Loethen, 49, Sullivan,  residing at the property came outside to confront the landlord.

It is alleged that Loethen pushed the victim to the ground and punched the victim in the face several times. A nearby witness yelled at Loethen, who then retreated into the residence.

The victim then left the residence and contacted sheriff’s department to make a report.

According to deputies the victim sustained vitiable injury consistent with the reported assault and witnesses collaborated the victim’s statement.

It was at this time deputies went to the residence to contact Loethen but they were unsuccessful at the time but learned that Loethen had an outstanding Franklin County warrant for his arrest on felony possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, bond $10,000.

On Wednesday, December 15, Franklin County Deputies responded back to Loethen’s residence on Wildwood Terrace where they met with a resident and were given consent to enter the home.

Loethen was located inside and arrested on the warrant without incident.

Franklin County Prosecuter Mathew Becker charged Rodney J. Loethen with assault in the second degree-special victim due to the age of the victim, bond $35,000.

Loethen appeared in court Dec. 27 and he is scheduled to appear again Dec. 30 for a bond hearing.

Pelton reminds the public that Loethen is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.