Felon accused of forging COVID-19 positive results to delay serving 2 year sentence

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- A man who was supposed to serve a 2-year sentence at the DuComb Center allegedly faked medical reports saying he was COVID-19 positive to delay serving his sentence, according to court records.

On December 4, David Shanholt was sentenced to 2 years in the DuComb Center for a conviction in La Porte County.

Shanholt was told he needed to submit a negative COVID-19 test result before reporting to serve his sentence.

On January 5, the DuComb Center received a medical report from the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center showing Shanholt was positive for COVID-19, reports said.

DuComb officials told Shanholt he couldn’t report until he had a negative COVID test.

Shanholt was told a week later he needed to be retested and the results should be sent to the center.

The DuComb Center received multiple medical reports over the course of the next couple weeks showing Shanholt was still COVID-19 positive, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The medical reports were dated January 19, February 5 and February 19, reports said.

Officials with the DuComb Center contacted the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center to confirm the authenticity of the medical reports submitted by Shanholt and learned they were all fabricated, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The director of the DuComb Center spoke with Shanholt who said he had an appointment for a COVID-19 test on March 3, reports said.

On March 5, a medical report was faxed to the DuComb Center showing Shanholt was negative for COVID-19, reports said.

After contacting the hospital, officials learned the medical report from March 5 was also fraudulent, reports said.

On March 9, Shanholt was charged with five counts of counterfeiting.

UPDATE: In August 2021, Shanholt pleaded guilty to all five counts of counterfeiting as part of a plea agreement. He was sentenced to 18 months on each count to be served concurrently. He was given credit for 155 days in custody. The 18 month sentence will be served after he completes a 2 year sentence for possession of a narcotic drug and a 1 year sentence for unlawful possession of a syringe.