Travis Johnson

WARSAW — A Warsaw man was sentenced today, Jan. 9, to 14 years at the Indiana Department of Corrections on charges stemming from four separate incidents.

Travis J. Johnson, 312 Sherman Street, Warsaw, was sentenced for possession of marijuana, dealing methamphetamine, possession of chemical reagents or precursors with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, failure to appear, unlawful possession of syringe, dealing marijuana, resisting law enforcement and possession of a narcotic drug.

Some of Johnson’s charges stem from an incident that occurred in Aug. 2014. According to the affidavit of probable cause, during a search at during a traffic stop, officers located five one-pot meth labs, an HCL generator, numerous ephedrine blister packs and multiple precursors to the manufacture of meth in Johnson’s vehicle. The investigation also led to a residence on North Sherman Street, where officers served another search warrant and found additional precursors and meth paraphernalia.

The other charges stemmed from separate incidents in 2013 and 2016.

During his sentencing, Johnson’s lawyer Andrew Grossnickle, asked the Judge Reed to take into consideration an evaluation of Johnson that was done at Bowen Center in 2013. Grossnickle indicated while two doctors confirmed Johnson had the mental capacity to understand right from wrong, one doctor had suggested Johnson may not have the mental capacity to fully understand the wrongs he had committed.

Grossnickle added, “He’s begging the court for an opportunity to change.”

Johnson spoke on his own behalf. Johnson explained that he desperately wanted to receive help for his issues, however, he was unsure how he could do that. He indicated he had no one to go to for help and asked the court to spare him from jail time.

Reed indicated he had known Johnson for quite some time, “I’ve known you forever,” he said.

Reed told Johnson that he had already been given plenty of chances to receive help for his substance abuse issues. “We’ve exhausted all options for you,” said Reed.

He mentioned that while the courts has tried to give Johnson the help he needs, Johnson has refused to take responsibility for his actions and put forth effort to change. Reed indicated the fact that the lawyer brought up the evaluation from 2013 was just a “red herring” and that he believed that Johnson has been deluded himself for years by believing something is mentally wrong with him.

Johnson was sentenced to a total of 14 years at the Indiana Department of Corrections for possession of marijuana, dealing methamphetamine, possession of chemical reagents or precursors with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, failure to appear, unlawful possession of syringe, dealing marijuana, resisting law enforcement and possession of a narcotic drug. All the his sentences are to be consecutively. Johnson will receive credit for a total of 500 days of jail time already served.