Pana Man Headed for Prison After Incident in Shelby County

A Pana man is headed for prison after an incident in Shelby County.

22-year-old Deven A. Barger has received a 3-1/2 year prison term for aggravated battery. The sentence will be served concurrent with terms for two felonies in Christian County.

Shelby County State's Attorney Gina Vonderheide said a Shelby County sheriff's deputy was dispatched to a rural part of the county regarding a vehicle fleeing from Christian County deputies. The occupants fleeing from Christian County were being pursued because of their alleged break-in to a home near Pana Lake. Vonderheide said there was also a concern a shotgun was inside the vehicle.

The fleeing vehicle eventually got stuck so the two occupants fled on foot. One was apprehended a short distance from the vehicle, then Barger. 

Vonderheide said Barger resisted the deputies and headbutted the rear window of a squad car. As he was being put inside a squad car, Barger turned and began kicking a deputy with his boots. He kicked the deputy in the chest and above his left eye with the heel of his boot. He was then subdued and placed in a squad car.