WARSAW — A Noble County man was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to theft and drug-related crimes he committed while still a juvenile. Leniency was also hard to come by since the man committed other crimes, according to police, while out on bail.

Jordan Bronsing

Jordan Bronsing, 18, 2790 N. US 33, Kimmell, pleaded guilty on June 15 to theft, a level 6 felony and possession of methamphetamine, a level 5 felony.

Bronsing was sentenced in Kosciusko County Circuit Court on Monday, July 30. His defense attorney, Matt Buehler, campaigned for time served since Bronsing has been behind bars for 117 days and served some of the time as a juvenile.

“Jordan is still a very young man and I believe he could straighten himself out,” Buehler said. “It’s not too late for him.”

Bronsing was arrested in 2017 for manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of the drug and theft. Police said the theft charges stemmed from incidents involving Walmart and Kohl’s. Bronsing was waived into adult court.

In June of this year, police reported that Bronsing was involved in an incident that resulted in bodily injury to a female who was battered by multiple assailants.

“I was wrong for what I did and I want to make it up,” said Bronsing. “I was hanging out with the wrong crowd.”

Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed told Bronsing that substance abuse would have to be overcome if Bronsing expects to turn the corner and become law-abiding.

“It’s going to be a case of forced sobriety,” said Reed. “If you don’t put in maximum effort, nothing’s going to change.”

Reed sentenced Bronsing to one year for the theft charge and two years for the possession offense. Bronsing was given 117 days of jail time credit.

Reed said that if Bronsing gets treatment for substance abuse and serves as a model prisoner, he would later consider a sentence modification.

“It’s going to be up to you,” Reed said.