Hamilton County Board member gets off with fine, avoids felony.
Hamilton County Board member Troy D. Rubenacker has paid $7,511 restitution to the victims of a September 2007 gunplay and vandalism incident to avoid a felony conviction. Rubenacker entered guilty pleas to three misdemeanor charges of criminal damage to property for blasting the Robert and Marcella Payne residence with a shotgun, then cutting the propane line that runs into their house. States Attorney Kevin Kakac said he approved the plea agreement after discussing the terms with the victims in the case.
In Past News:
Board member arrested
County Board’s Troy Rubenacker faces weapons, criminal damage to property charges
By MARY KAYE DAVIS
For the Times-Leader
FAIRFIELD — A Hamilton County Board member arrested over the weekend now stands accused of firing a shot at an occupied home in rural Wayne County.
Troy Rubenacker, 39, of Route 3, McLeansboro, was arrested early Saturday morning by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department on a charge of criminal damage to property over $300.
Wayne County Chief Deputy Jeff Grieve said Wednesday morning that Rubenacker was additionally charged Tuesday afternoon with aggravated discharge of a firearm into an occupied building, a Class 1 felony, and unlawful use of a weapon.
The criminal damage to property charge alleges Rubenacker cut a line on a 500-gallon propane tank at the rural Bluford home of Jared Payne on Saturday morning. According to Grieve, Payne had been experiencing problems with someone cutting the lines on his propane tank; Grieve said Payne had reported that the lines had been cut three times earlier this month.
Early Saturday morning, Payne and three family members hid and tried to catch the culprit in the act, Grieve said.
“(Payne) observed Troy cut the line,” Grieve said.
Payne and the family members detained Rubenacker until Wayne County authorities responded.
At some point during the incident, Rubenacker, while outside of the home, allegedly fired a shot into the home.
No one was injured, Grieve said.
Wayne County Sheriff Jim Hinkle said Tuesday that he and Grieve were to meet with the Wayne County state’s attorney to push for the additional charges.
Grieve said a motive for firing the gunshot is still being investigated. It appeared, the chief deputy said, that Rubenacker was randomly shooting the gun.
“There are issues we are looking at, but we cannot disclose those at this time,” Grieve said.
He did say that alcohol was not a factor in the incident.
“He was sober; just mad,” Grieve said.
Rubenacker posted $10,000 bond later Saturday and was released.
He is scheduled to make his first appearance in Wayne County Circuit Court on Oct. 16.
Rubenacker could not be reached for comment at his home Monday or Wednesday morning.
| 
