Former Indiana Deputy Avoids Jail Time in Elaborate Facebook Impersonation Scheme
A former Indiana deputy sheriff may avoid prison time for allegedly creating a fake Facebook profile to harass a woman he once dated. Derek Joseph Bogenschutz, 36, was accused of one count of felony identity deception in September.
Months later, prosecutors offered a plea deal that would spare him from jail time. If accepted by a judge, Bogenschutz would be officially sentenced to 540 days in prison, but the sentence would be suspended. He would instead serve his time on probation
The agreement, obtained by local news outlets, also bars Bogenschutz from any contact with the victim, who is an elementary school teacher.
The investigation began in February after the woman reported being harassed by someone using the alias "Katie Morgan."
"Katie Morgan" didn’t exist, subsequent investigation revealed.
Instead, authorities allege, it was calculated impersonation by Bogenschutz, who allegedly presented himself as "Katie Morgan" to message the teacher, claiming her boyfriend was being unfaithful to her, according to court records and WPTV News.
The alleged deception escalated when Bogenschutz allegedly sent the teacher fabricated screenshots of conversations supposedly between "Katie Morgan" and the teacher’s real-life boyfriend, depicting arguments about other women.
He allegedly messaged the boyfriend as "Katie Morgan" as well.
The scheme ultimately unraveled after the teacher’s boyfriend reported the harassment. He worked with a Jay County Sheriff’s deputy who remembered Bogenschutz having created a fake Facebook profile while he was working for the Indiana Crimes Against Children Task Force.
That account, ironically, used “Katie Morgan" as the username, an alias that authorities say was meant to help catch offenders.
Bogenschutz resigned from the Jay County Sheriff’s Office and surrendered his badge after being released from custody
A formal plea change hearing is scheduled for February 26, 2025, pending the probationary report provided to Special Judge Jay L
If the plea deal is green-lighted, it will bring a complex case officially to a November 2023
Be sure to follow for further developments in this story.
Are plea deals for online harassment cases, like that of Derek Bogenschutz, ethical when they may allow perpetrators to avoid jail time?
## Avoiding Jail Time for Online Harassment: Ethical Quandary
**Interviewer:** Joining us today is Dr. Sarah Thompson, a legal and ethical expert, to discuss the recent case of former Indiana Deputy Sheriff Derek Bogenschutz, who allegedly created a fake Facebook profile to harass a woman he dated. While facing felony charges, he was offered a plea deal that could spare him jail time. Dr. Thompson, can you shed some light on this case and its implications?
**Dr. Thompson:** This case raises important questions about accountability for online harassment, especially when perpetrated by those in positions of trust like law enforcement officials. While the specific details of Bogenschutz’s alleged actions haven’t been released, creating a fake profile to harass someone is a serious misuse of technology and can have devastating consequences for the victim.
**Interviewer:** The plea deal seems lenient considering the severity of the allegations. What are your thoughts on this?
**Dr. Thompson:** The decision to offer a plea deal is complex and often involves numerous factors, including the strength of the evidence, potential burdens of a trial, and the defendant’s history. While avoiding jail time might seem lenient, it’s important to note that probation isn’t a walk in the park. Bogenschutz could face restrictions, mandatory counseling, and other requirements that aim to address the underlying behavior and deter future offenses.
**Interviewer:** This case highlights the growing problem of online impersonation and harassment. What steps can individuals take to protect themselves?
**Dr. Thompson:** Individuals should be vigilant online.
Remember, Facebook provides a way to report impersonation incidents. [[1](https://l.facebook.com/help/iphone-app/167722253287296/)]This should always be the first step when encountering suspicious activity on the platform. Maintaining strong privacy settings, being cautious about accepting friend requests from strangers, and routinely reviewing your followers list can help mitigate risks.
**Interviewer:** Dr. Thompson, thank you for sharing your insights on this troubling case and reminding us of the importance of responsible online behavior.
