Columbus man sentenced to 5+ years in prison

A Columbus man has been sentenced to more than five years in prison following two incidents from 2025.

According to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office, Derek Rothrock was arrested following a February 2025 investigation into residential entry and theft by Columbus police. Officers were called to a home about the incident and identified Rothrock on security footage attempting to enter the home at 3:40 a.m. in the morning. He was charged with attempted residential entry, possession of methamphetamine and conversion.

In November of 2025, officers were called to a home on reports of a domestic disturbance. They discovered that Rothrock threatened to kill someone at the home and damaged the victim’s cell phone. He was arrested on charges of intimidation and criminal mischief.

In March of this year, Rothrock pleaded guilty to charges of attempted residential entry, possession of methamphetamine and intimidation.

Earlier this month, Superior Court 1 Judge Jim Worton sentenced him to five years and two months to be served in the Indiana Department of Corrections prison system.