Nappanee Man Sentenced For Dealing In Meth And Narcotics
KOSCIUSKO — A Nappanee man was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court Monday, Jan. 14, after officers responded to a tip about a methamphetamine lab.
Joshua Loren Borkholder, 39, 13317 N. CR 700W, Nappanee, was charged with dealing in methamphetamine and dealing in a narcotic drug, both level 5 felonies. Charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a narcotic drug and failure to appear were dismissed.
On Dec. 20, 2016, an officer with the Nappanee Police Department contacted a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office officer regarding an anonymous tip about a methamphetamine lab. The Nappanee officer advised he had prior drug dealings with the occupants of the residence, one of which being Borkholder.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office officer went to the residence. Upon arriving, Borkholder came out of the residence’s garage. After the officer advised Borkholder of the information he had received regarding a meth lab, Borkholder became very belligerent and went back into the garage.
Officers were given permission by a female at the residence to search the property’s buildings. In one of the buildings, officers found plastic bags containing a white powdery substance that tested positive for methamphetamine and a bottle containing pills that were identified as oxycodone, a schedule II narcotic drug.
On the outside of the building, officers found handgun cartridges, a 32 caliber revolver, a 40 caliber Glock semi-automatic handgun and a glass jar containing a small amount of liquid that smelled like a methamphetamine lab. Borkholder told officers that he and his brother were in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine.
Borkholder has previously been convicted of attempted manufacture of methamphetamine on Dec. 15, 2009, in Elkhart County Circuit Court. He has also been convicted of dealing in methamphetamine on March 26, 2008, in Kosciusko County Circuit Court.
Defense attorney Austin Rovenstine said that Borkholder needs assistance and substance abuse treatment.
“There’s always something that brings me down and brings me back to doing meth,” said Borkholder. “I need treatment and I really do need the help.”
Judge Michael Reed sentenced Borkholder to eight years in the Indiana Department of Corrections, with four years of the sentence to be served on probation. Borkholder is required to complete a substance abuse treatment program and the Recovery While Incarcerated program during his incarceration.
“You have to stop hanging out with the wrong people and in the wrong places,” said Reed.