Borkholder Sentenced To Five Years At Indiana Department Of Corrections
WARSAW — A Nappanee man was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court Thursday, April 19, in connection with an investigation by the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force and the Nappanee Police Department.
John Ira Borkholder, 13317 North CR 700W, Nappanee, was found guilty of possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of methamphetamine, both level 5 felonies, as well as possession of a narcotic drug, a level 6 felony.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Dec. 20, 2016, Kosciusko County Drug Task Force officers concluded an investigation as they responded to Borkholder’s address in Nappanee.
Officers from Nappanee and Kosciusko County, along with parole agents, entered the residence and located John Ira Borkholder and his brother, Joshua Loren Borkholder. Officers additionally seized finished methamphetamine, along with $1,800 in cash and two handguns from inside the house. Both Borkholder brothers were arrested and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail.
“I have an excellent support system,” said Borkholder. “I have a 3-year-old son that i want to be a father to. I want to be a better husband to my wife.”
“Every time I go through something in my life that I think is unbearable or I can’t make it another day, I choose to go back to my addictions,” Borkholder admitted.
“You can’t help somebody who is unwilling or unable to help themselves,” said Judge Michael Reed. “You’re a danger to yourself, your family and the community. You’re 34 years old and your record is atrocious.”
“It doesn’t matter what I do today,” said Reed. “If you don’t decide to change, it’s never going to get better.”
Reed sentenced Borkholder to two years in the Indiana Department of Corrections for the charge of possession of a firearm by a felon, two years at IDOC for the charge of dealing in methamphetamine and one year at IDOC for the charge of possession of a narcotic drug. All sentences were ordered to be served consecutively. Reed also ordered that the sentences be served consecutive to any sentence Borkholder receives in a pending case in Elkhart County.
Reed also ordered that Borkholder be referred to a Recovery While Incarcerated program.
“I will take a look at this again based upon what happens in Elkhart County and based on what you do moving forward and determine if, at that time, Community Corrections or some other type of modification makes sense,” Reed said.
Reed ordered that the seized firearms be used for law enforcement purposes or dismantled. Borkholder was given 33 days of jail time credit.