Nathaniel Lee Hall

WARSAW — A Warsaw man was sentenced to 2 1/2 years at the Indiana Department of Corrections on Monday, Dec. 3. 

Nathaniel Lee Hall, 39, 317 W. Prairie St., Warsaw, pleaded guilty to possession of a narcotic drug and possession of a syringe, both level 6 felonies; and dealing in a narcotic drug, a level 5 felony. 

According to the affidavit of probable cause, in May 2017 officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department responded to a property damage accident. A black Lincoln Continental with damage to the passenger side was off the roadway in a ditch on private property. Inside the vehicle officers located a wallet containing identifying information for Hall. The wallet also contained two syringes. On the floor in front of the driver’s seat, officers found a small plastic bag containing white powder residue. 

Hall then arrived at the scene and stated he was the owner of the vehicle and had been driving the vehicle at the time of the accident. Hall reportedly admitted he had used heroin before and did not have a prescription for the syringes for any medical use. When officers field-tested the white powder substance, it tested positive for heroin, a schedule I narcotic drug. 

In August 2017 an Indiana State Police officer reported pulling in behind a vehicle on North Detroit Street in Warsaw. The vehicle then made a sharp left turn without using a proper turn signal and went to the CVS parking lot. According to the affidavit of probable cause, the male driver then jumped out of the vehicle and went into CVS.

Officers observed the male subject exit CVS and look around as if to see if police were still in the area. The male drove the vehicle to the Subway parking lot and got out. The officer observed the male appear to throw something under the vehicle. Police conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver of the vehicle as Hall, who advised he had a suspended license. Officers looked underneath the vehicle and found a black case containing six syringes and Q-tips. Officers observed needle track marks on both of Hall’s arms. 

In October 2017 Hall was arrested on narcotics charges.

In court today, Judge Michael Reed told Hall that it’s clear he needs substance abuse treatment.

“I don’t like the way you look today or the way you’re acting,” Reed stated. Hall responded that any abnormalities in his appearance or behavior were due to being stressed out. 

“I’ve had drug problems for 20 years,” Hall admitted. 

Reed sentenced Hall to 2 1/2 years at the Indiana Department of Corrections for the charge of dealing in a narcotic drug and ordered that this sentence be served consecutive to other sentences. Hall was given 141 days of jail time credit.

For the charge of possession of a narcotic drug, Hall received a one year sentence at the Kosciusko County Jail, with three days of jail time credit. For the charge of possession of a syringe, Reed sentenced Hall to one year at the Kosciusko County Jail with three days of jail time credit. Reed then ordered both of the Kosciusko County Jail sentences to be suspended and served on formal probation. 

Reed recommended that Hall participate in the Recovery While Incarcerated program and stated that if Hall successfully completes the program and remains conduct clear, a sentence modification may be considered at a later date. Hall was also ordered to pay drug interdiction fees and court costs. Pursuant to the plea agreement, remaining charges were dismissed.