Hardin County Common Pleas Court Judge Steve Christopher sentenced Dustin Bolen, 43, of McGuffy, Wednesday to 19 years to life in prison for the 2024 murder of his father, Michael Bolen.
Bolen pleaded guilty in March to charges of murder, a first-degree felony; tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony; and gross abuse of a corpse, a fifth-degree felony.
The charges stemmed from the death of his father, whose body was found late last year beneath a family home in McGuffey.
Bolen spoke briefly before the sentence was imposed, apologizing to family members and addressing a lifetime of tension between him and his father.
“I have my addiction, and he had his issues. I wish I could have just walked away, but I just couldn’t take it anymore,” Dustin Bolen said. “I’m sorry.”
Jessica Anderson, Michael Bolen’s daughter, and Dustin’s sister, spoke on behalf of the family.
“I love my dad; I love my brother. I know Dad wanted my brother to get help,” she said. “I forgive my brother and pray that he heals and learns from his experiences.”
Addressing her brother directly, Anderson said, “Thank you for telling the truth and taking responsibility.”
Hardin County Common Pleas Court Judge Steve Christopher imposed a mandatory prison sentence of 15 years to life on the murder charge.
The judge also ordered sentences of 36 months for tampering with evidence and 12 months for abuse of a corpse and ordered all sentences to be served consecutively.
