FRANKLIN, Ind. – In an apparent deliberate act of violence, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office says that 39-year-old Jacob Dhondt drove his truck through the front vestibule and entryway of the Johnson County Juvenile Detention Center on Sunday, May 11, at 11:40 a.m.
The facility, on Hospital Road in Franklin, was shaken by the impact of the vehicle ramming through its front entrance.
The suspect’s truck, bearing the words “Fathers Matter” emblazoned across the tailgate, tore through the secured entryway of a building where employees were actively working and juveniles were being held under court order. The alleged attack could have been tragic for staff or residents on-site.
“This wasn’t just vandalism. This was a targeted, intentional act that put the lives of innocent people — people simply doing their jobs — directly in harm’s way,” surmised Johnson County Sheriff Duane Burgess. “It’s very fortunate no one was killed or injured.”
The driver was immediately apprehended by law enforcement. According to initial interviews, he stated he was angry at the Johnson County court system, claiming he hadn’t been permitted to see his son in over a year. He reportedly told officers that this violent stunt was intended to “send a message to the judges and judicial system.”
In addition to an outstanding felony warrant for Dealing Methamphetamine, Dhondt is now facing several new criminal charges, including:
- Intimidation (Level 5 Felony)
- Criminal Recklessness (Level 6 Felony)
- Criminal Mischief (Level 6 Felony)
Due to his existing court supervision on unrelated charges, he is being held without bond.
