Pierceton Man Sentenced On Methamphetamine Charges
WARSAW — A Pierceton man was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court Monday, Jan. 29, on charges related to an incident that occurred in April 2017.
Richard D. Hagan II, 31,16 EMS B14 Lane, Pierceton, was sentenced on charges of possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a class C misdemeanor.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on April 29, 2017, an officer with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources responded to a disabled vehicle parked in the roadway east of SR 13 on CR 350N in Kosciusko County. Another conservation officer was already at the scene and was standing next to a black Pontiac Trans Am and a male subject.
The male subject was identified as Hagan and was described as flailing his arms and yelling incoherently. Hagan advised he was test driving the vehicle and it stopped running in the middle of the roadway. Hagan had no bill of sale or title in his possession. Hagan advised he lived up the road and would retrieve the vehicle title.
According to the affidavit, Hagan was getting very close to the officers and talking in a loud and agitated manner, almost to the point of yelling. His appearance was dirty and disheveled, and he was sweating profusely despite temperatures being in the mid 50s. The officer reported that Hagan’s eyes were moving rapidly in all directions and he was having difficulty focusing and answering basic questions. Based on the officer’s past training experiences, he believed that Hagan was under the influence of methamphetamine. Hagan then advised officers he was walking to his residence to obtain the title to the black Trans Am.
Officers found the vehicle to be improperly registered, and conducted an inventory search. A hypodermic needle was located inside the vehicle, along with a clear plastic bag containing a white granular substance. Based on the reporting officer’s past training and experience, he was able to identify the substance as methamphetamine, a schedule II controlled substance.
Officers went to Hagan’s residence and found Hagan operating a gray 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. A traffic stop was conducted, and Hagan was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of a syringe. Hagan was also found to have $1,702 on him. Hagan was transported to Kosciusko Community Hospital where he gave consent for a legal blood draw by hospital staff.
At today’s sentencing, Jeffrey “Hoss” Smith, a residential manager at Serenity House #7, spoke on behalf of Hagan. Smith stated that Hagan approached him in early January seeking help for addiction issues. Smith said Hagan had been brought in to the Serenity House and has been there ever since. Smith said Hagan has passed all drug tests while at Serenity House.
“Do you think he’s worth a shot?” asked Judge Michael Reed, with Smith answering in the affirmative.
For the possession of methamphetamine charge, Reed sentenced Hagan to one and one half years in the Kosciusko County Jail. Regarding the driving while intoxicated charge, Reed sentenced Hagan to 60 days in the Kosciusko County Jail, with the sentences being served concurrently. Reed ordered the incarceration to be suspended and served on formal probation. Hagan was ordered to remain enrolled in and complete the Serenity House nine-month residential program and to pay court fees. Hagan was given one day of jail time credit.