Shawn Wayne Miller

WARSAW — A New Paris man was sentenced on drug-related charges Tuesday, Feb. 13, in the Kosciusko County Circuit Court.

Shawn Miller, 30, 19100 Tarman Road, New Paris, was sentenced on charges of possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; possession of a narcotic drug, a level 6 felony; and carrying a handgun without a license, a class A misdemeanor.

According to the affidavit of probable cause an officer with the Warsaw Police Department noticed a Ford F150 on Main Street in Warsaw. The vehicle registration plate belonged to a Ford Explorer and was improperly registered. The officer conducted a traffic stop and identified Miller as the driver and another male as the passenger.

Miller advised that he had the wrong registration plate on the car and did not have insurance on the vehicle. While talking with Miller, the officer observed fresh needle marks on Miller’s left arm. Miller admitted that he had just injected heroin and that there may be drugs in the vehicle. At this point, the officer obtained permission to search the vehicle.

Drugs and drug-related items were located inside the vehicle, including a container of heroin, a partially burnt marijuana cigarette, a container of methamphetamine, a silver spoon with burn marks, Q-tips and two syringes. A loaded .45 caliber handgun was also located inside the vehicle.

After the initial discoveries, the officer arrested Miller and searched his person. Miller was in possession of a burnt spoon, two empty syringes, a syringe filled with a brown liquid, a container filled with methamphetamine, a container filled with heroin, a marijuana cigarette and a cut straw. Miller admitted to using the items found on his person and had no license to carry the found firearm.

For the charge of possession of methamphetamine, Judge Michael Reed sentenced Miller to one year in the Kosciusko County Jail. For the charge of possession of a narcotic drug, Miller was sentenced to one year in the Kosciusko County Jail. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently. Miller’s driver’s license was ordered to be suspended for six months following his release. Miller was given one day of jail time credit and was ordered to pay court fees.

Reed stated that he would have no objection to Miller serving his sentence through work release or the Department of Community Corrections, providing that Miller qualifies and remains qualified for one of these programs.