Brownsburg man faces 13 years after jury finds he threatened judges

A Hamilton County jury convicted a Brownsburg man on October 27 after finding he threatened local judges and prosecutors. The man is Jarrod Petty, 35.

Court documents show Petty targeted Hamilton County Judge Andrew Bloch, Magistrate Christopher Evans, and Boone County Deputy Prosecutor Thomas Morris. Morris acted as the special prosecutor in the case. Investigators linked the threats to a dispute over Petty's legal custody of his children.

During a phone call last year, Petty told officials he would seek justice by any means necessary. He stated, 'I’m not afraid to break the law to get justice for my little girl, may cost lives, there’s no lines I would not cross.' Petty added that he would act as if his daughter were in danger and that judges are only held accountable outside of courtrooms.

In February 2025, Petty called the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office. He told staff he knew all entry and exit points inside the courthouse and identified the locations of security cameras. A court administrator later reported receiving additional messages from Petty. Those messages included the phrases 'I don't care about the law' and 'If I don't get legal custody of my kids, I’m not following y'alls process.'

The jury returned guilty verdicts on six counts of felony intimidation. Petty is scheduled for sentencing on November 24. He faces a maximum prison sentence of 13 years.