Cost to repair cell door damage estimated at 10,000

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

An Anderson man is facing a felony charge after allegedly attempting to damage the hinges on a door in the Barry County jail.

Jeremy Helmer, 36, of Anderson, is charged with damage to jail/jail property.

According to a probable cause statement filed by Deputy Cedric Calderon, with the Barry County Sheriff’s Office, at about 3:47 p.m. on Nov. 2, 2025, Helmer was allegedly seed in side the day room on video at the jail, going into his cell and coming out with a Bible in his hand.

Helmer allegedly placed the Bible between the door and the frame and repeatedly closed it with force. Calderon said Helmer walked back and forth to the cell door approximately six times and closed the door on the Bible in an attempt to bend the hinges so the door would not work properly.

Calderon said he also spoke to a witness who stated he witnessed Helmer allegedly use the Bible to damage the cell door.

The estimated cost for repair of the door is $10,000.

The probable cause statement and charge was filed in Barry County Associate Circuit Court on Nov. 26, 2025, and a warrant for Helmer’s arrest was issued at that time. The warrant was served on Jan. 5, and Helmer is being held in the Barry County jail now on a cash-only bond of $15,000.

A bond appearance hearing was held on Jan. 8, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. in the courtroom of Judge Robert Foulke.