Ex-Bluffton cop pleas guilty to making unlawful proposition

A former Bluffton K-9 police officer arrested on November 30 in Decatur after a sting operation alleged he made an improper proposition to a police confidential informant for sex has withdrawn his non-guilty plea in Adams Superior Court and accepted a plea deal that includes jail time.

James A. Mettler, 71, Bluffton, was charged by the Adams County Sheriff’s Department with patronizing a prostitute and making an unlawful proposition for a sexual act.

Court records showed that Mettler allegedly contacted the woman and offered her $200 if she would meet him at the Decatur Express Inn and Suites on S. 13th Street for sexual acts explicit in nature. The CI identified Mettler and showed a deputy sheriff a photo of him from her cell phone. The CI also added that Mettler had been arrested in Marion of Grant County on a similar charge and was currently out on bond.

A background check by police showed Mettler had been arrested by the Marion Police Department on July 30, 2021 for vicarious sexual conduct where the defendant was over the age of 18 and caused a child under the age of 16 to engage in deviate conduct by making an unlawful proposition.

Members of the Adams County Sheriff’s Department and Bluffton Police Department were on hand on November 30 at the hotel and made the arrest on Mettler after he arrived around 3:45 p.m. and the CI allowed him into her room.

Mettler has been held in custody at the Adams County Law Enforcement and Detention Center since that time and according to court documents from Adams Superior Court, his plea deal included him pleading guilty to the local charge and received a 180-day jail sentence with 90 days to be served with good behavior. Records show he has been in custody for 64 actual days giving him 128 days in credit. Of the remaining 52 days, he will have to serve another 26 before being released. Should be violate any terms of the sentence, he could be required to serve the full amount of time.

No fine for the arrest was given but Mettler must pay $185 in court costs and fees.

The State of Indiana was represented in the case by Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chad M. Thurston while attorney Mario V. Massillamany handled Mettler’s defense.