Travis Lee Covell

WARSAW — Travis Lee Covell, 30, 612 Carlin Dr., Angola, was arrested on Dec. 18, 2015, and charged with dealing methamphetamine, a level 2 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 4 felony; carrying a handgun without a license, a level 5 felony; and theft of a firearm, a level 6 felony.

Per the plea agreement, Covell was sentenced today, March 27, in Kosciusko County Circuit Court on count I dealing in methamphetamine as a lesser offense, a level 3 felony. Covell entered a guilty plea on Feb. 6.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, a North Webster Police officer conducted a traffic stop in December 2015 and identified the driver as Travis Lee Covell.

The officer performed a search of the vehicle where they reportedly found, under the driver’s seat, a loaded black Springfield .45 caliber handgun. The handgun had been reported as stolen to the Kosciusko Sheriff’s Department in March 2015.

According to the affidavit, there was a black pouch on the ground next to Covell containing five plastic bags of a white crystal-like substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. Covell admitted to having been paid $200 to deliver the methamphetamine.

Covell was convicted of a class D felony of possession of a controlled substance in Lagrange County Superior Court Dec. 17, 2014.

“Obviously we’re dealing with someone who has a very difficult past,” said Covell’s attorney, Joseph Sobek. Sobek further pointed out that Covell has a family support system, gesturing to his mother and sister sitting in the courtroom.

Judge Michael Reed acknowledged that Covell struggles with abuse and the issues that come along with it, adding, “You got yourself into quite a set of circumstances.”

Judge Reed accepted the plea agreement, finding Covell guilty of dealing in methamphetamine as a level 3 felony and dismissing the other charges.

For that charge Covell was sentenced to 9 years at the Indiana Department of Corrections, consecutive to two sentences out of LaGrange and Steuben Counties.

Judge Reed also recommended Covel participate in the therapeutic community, adding that on a future date Covell may come forward and petition for purposeful incarceration.