Goshen Man Sentenced To five Years For Dealing Cocaine
WARSAW — A Goshen man was sentenced this morning, Jan. 30, to five years at the Indiana Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to dealing cocaine.
Thomas McGuffey, 1101 W. Lincoln Ave., Goshen, pleaded guilty to dealing cocaine, a level 4 felony.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on March 30, 2015, McGuffey met with an individual at a local Dollar General. He was seen giving the individual a clear bag that contained a white, powdery substance. An officer with the Syracuse Police Department field-tested the substance, which tested positive for cocaine and weighed eight grams.
During the sentencing, McGuffey’s attorney Christopher Crawford noted McGuffey’s physical health as a big reason behind the crime committed. “Mr. McGuffey is a gentleman currently on Social Security disability,” he said. “He has a number of health issues but has been clean and sober for a period of time.”
McGuffey was given the opportunity to address the court. “I want to apologize to the court, to the state and to the county,” he said. “I’m just asking the court and the state to give me a chance.”
Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed sentenced McGuffey to five years at the Indiana Department of corrections. The judge recommended him to serve in the purposeful incarceration program. If McGuffey successfully completes the program, the judge will consider placing McGuffey into the Serenity House for the remainder of the sentence.
“I hear what you say but the bottom line is you were a cog in the wheel and putting a significant amount of cocaine on these streets,” concluded Reed.