Published: June 25, 2008 10:11 pm         

Bribery suspect tied to sexual misconduct case has bail reduced

TERRE HAUTE — A woman accused of bribery in connection with a sexual misconduct case appeared in Vigo County Superior Court Division 6 Wednesday for a bond reduction hearing.

Donna Mitchell, 35, of Terre Haute appeared in court in connection with alleged efforts to extort money from a 73-year-old man in exchange for not turning him in to authorities.

Her bail amount was reduced from $50,000 to $25,000.

Bribery is a class-C felony, carrying a penalty ranging from two to eight years in prison.

John Beatty of Martinsville, Ill., faces charges of sexual misconduct with a minor. Mitchell, who is a relative of the victim in the case, asked Beatty, a former high-school principal and teacher, for $300,000 to keep quiet, according to police.

The police received a tip about Mitchell’s offer, according to Detective Rick Decker with the Terre Haute Police Department.

Mitchell was being detained in the Vigo County jail.

Beatty posted bail of $5,000 and was released on June 18 after his bond amount was lowered to $50,000 with 10 percent allowed.

He is charged with three class-B felony counts of sexual misconduct with a minor.