Judge Sarber sentenced Plymouth man to 40 years following child molestation conviction

The Marshall County Prosecutor's Office announced Monday the completion of the prosecution of Plymouth resident Daniel Kneifel, who has been convicted of child molestation and sentenced to 40 years in prison.

The case traces back to July 2022, when the Indiana Department of Child Services received a report of sexual abuse against a 13-year-old child allegedly committed by Kneifel. Captain Jeff Snyder of the Marshall County Sheriff's Department led the criminal investigation. The child was interviewed, and Kneifel was also questioned, but he denied all allegations. Due to insufficient evidence at that time, no charges were initially filed.

In January 2023, a second report was made to DCS alleging continued sexual contact between the same child and Kneifel. Captain Snyder reopened the investigation with additional corroborating evidence. When questioned again, Kneifel initially denied the allegations but later claimed the only contact had been a kiss in which he characterized the child as the aggressor. He said the incident occurred on his front porch — an area covered by his Ring doorbell camera — but admitted he had deleted the footage. Law enforcement efforts to recover the deleted video were unsuccessful.

Charges were filed in August 2023 after probable cause was established, and bond was set at $50,000 cash. Kneifel posted bond on September 12, 2023, and remained free while the charges were pending.

A jury trial commenced on April 1, 2026, in Marshall Superior Court 3 before the Honorable Judge Matthew Sarber. The State was represented by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Elizabeth Boehm, and Kneifel was represented by defense attorney Michael Tuszynski. Following two days of testimony and approximately four hours of deliberation, the 12-person jury returned a guilty verdict on Count 1: Child Molesting, a Level 1 Felony, and Count 3: Child Molesting, a Level 4 Felony. Kneifel was remanded into the custody of the Marshall County Sheriff immediately following the verdict.

Sentencing was held Friday, May 22nd, before Judge Sarber. The court heard statements from the child, the child's mother, the defendant's wife, and the defendant's best friend, followed by sentencing recommendations from both sides. After weighing the mitigating and aggravating factors, Judge Sarber ordered the sentences on Count 1 and Count 3 to be served consecutively. Kneifel received a total sentence of 40 years — 38 years to be served in the Indiana Department of Correction, 2 years suspended, and 1 year of formal probation with sex offender terms and conditions. He will also be required to participate in Sex Offender Management and Monitoring as a condition of his sentence.

The Prosecutor's Office extended its thanks to Captain Snyder for his persistent efforts throughout the investigation.

Anyone who suspects a child is being abused or neglected is encouraged to contact the Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-800-5556. Reports may be made anonymously.