Police: Stancati threw bowl of fruit at guard

By TOM MOOR, Tribune Staff Writer

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Michelle Stancati (Photo provided)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jun 5, 2009 at 11:42 AM EST

Story Updated: Jun 5, 2009 at 11:42 AM EST

ELKHART — A former Elkhart teacher who has been charged twice in the past year with dealing methamphetamine, is now being investigated for throwing a bowl of peaches at a jail guard, police say.

Michelle Stancati, who is in the Elkhart County Jail on meth charges, reportedly threw the bowl Tuesday at jail warden Lt. Sam Naves.

At about 1 p.m., Naves reportedly was discussing the finding of research he had done about an unknown complaint by Stancati. Police say Stancati became increasing agitated over the results of the research Naves had done and began shouting, cursing and displaying "abusive and combative gestures toward Naves," according to a police report.

Stancati, 35, reportedly shouted several profanities, including a racial slur at Naves, who is black. Stancati then picked up the container of fruit that had been placed on a day room table and threw it, striking Naves, police said.

A volunteer jail chaplain, an inmate and several corrections officers confirmed Naves’ story.

The incident is under investigation, said Trevor Wendzonka, Elkhart County police spokesman.

Wendzonka said administrative sanctions could be placed on Stancati, such as "changes from minimum to medium to maximum" security. Or she could be entitled to fewer visitors.

Stancati is in jail on a $500,000 bond after she was charged with manufacturing meth for the second time in March.

Stancati’s twin sister, Maria, also a former Elkhart teacher, was charged in March on suspicion of driving under the influence, the third time she has been arrested since August.

The Stancatis pleaded guilty to the Class A felony in exchange for a cap on their executed sentences of 26 years relating to a case in November when they were charged with dealing meth within a 1,000 feet of a school in South Bend.

They will be sentenced for that crime June 16.

Staff writer Tom Moor:
tmoor@sbtinfo.com

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