WARSAW — A Syracuse man received an 18-year jail sentence with at least 13 of those years to serve following his arrest and conviction in separate drug dealing cases.

Kevin John Allin Simons

Kevin John Allin Simons, 28, 12354 N. Kern Road, Syracuse, was charged in two separate cases with dealing methamphetamine, a level 3 felony.

In Kosciusko County Circuit Court on Monday, Sept. 24, Simons’ attorney, Donald Swanson, told Judge Michael Reed he hoped the sentence would create opportunities for Simons to receive treatment for substance abuse issues he said have played a role in the defendant’s crimes. “I’ve noticed throughout my months of representing him that he’s become more clear,” Swanson said. “He has, by his pleas, accepted his criminal responsibility.”

Simons pleaded guilty in court on Aug. 20 in exchange for having a total of six other charges dropped. Simons was charged in connection to two separate cases, one in which he was pulled over in a traffic stop following a tip from Syracuse police to Warsaw officers that he was driving illegally near Kohl’s in Warsaw; and another incident in which officers observed Simons selling methamphetamine.

“You know, Mr. Simons, I don’t like what I have to do today,” said Reed before sentencing. “What you do going forward is what’s going to count.”

Simons pointed to his substance abuse issues as cause of his criminal activity. “I came to realize for the first time in my life that I’m a drug addict,” said Simons. Simons, through his attorney, asked the judge for consideration in the the program Rehabilitation While Incarcerated.

Reed sentenced Simons to nine years for each count and suspended the last five years of the consecutive sentences. Simons received 234 days of jail time credit.