Darren J. Heinzman

KOSCIUSKO — A Pierceton man was sentenced to nine years in the Indiana Department of Corrections in Kosciusko Circuit Court today, Feb. 4, in three different cases involving neglect of a dependent and methamphetamine.

In the first case, Darren Jay Heinzman, 37, who has had addresses of 4409 E. CR 100S, Pierceton; and 9523 E. Pixie Parkway, Cromwell, was charged with dealing in a narcotic drug and dealing in methamphetamine, both level 5 felonies. In a second case, Heinzman was charged with neglect of a dependent, a level 6 felony. Heinzman was also sentenced in another case in which he was charged possession of methamphetamine, a level 5 felony; and possession of a narcotic drug, a level 6 felony.

On March 19, 2018, an officer with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an unknown vehicle at a residence. Upon arrival, the officer discovered Heinzman in the vehicle, high on illegal drugs.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, while searching the vehicle, officers found a plastic container containing heroin weighing 4.7 grams and a plastic container containing methamphetamine weighing 5.3 grams.

Officers also observed a car seat in the vehicle and obtained information that a minor child was at a residence alone. The mother of the child told officers that she left the child with Heinzman at the residence.

Upon arrival at Heinzman’s residence, officers found a minor in a crib with an empty bottle, soiled diaper, and dirty face. Child protective services arrived and took the minor into their custody. Officers believe Heinzman left the child in the residence unattended for more than 13 hours.

On March 31, an officer with the Warsaw Police Department responded to a report of an unresponsive female at Warsaw Lodge. Upon arrival at the scene, the officer observed a female on a bed in the room. The officer observed a plastic bag containing heroin, along with a plastic cap containing liquid and a piece of cotton that tested positive for methamphetamine and heroin.

The female was transported to the hospital, where she later died. A second female in the room said Heinzman rented the room and that she, Heinzman, and the deceased female were there to use drugs.

When they were at the room, a male subject delivered one half of a gram of methamphetamine to Heinzman. Heinzman then divided the half gram up and furnished the two females with the methamphetamine to mix with heroin.

The female subject said the deceased female went into the bathroom to inject herself and then returned and fell unconscious in the bedroom. Heinzman refused to let the female subject call police because he had outstanding arrest warrants. He then left the scene while the female called the police.

In court, defense attorney Jay Rigdon recommended Heinzman complete the Recovery While Incarcerated program while serving his sentence in all three cases.

“I know Mr. Heinzman can be a real contributor to society someday,” said Rigdon. “He just needs to become capable and demonstrate that he can move toward positive things.”

“I just really need to structure my life,” said Heinzman. “And I want to have the opportunity to integrate back into society.”

In the first March 19 case involving drug charges, Judge Michael Reed sentenced Heinzman to three years in the Indiana Department of Corrections for possession of methamphetamine and one year in the Department of Corrections for possession of a narcotic drug. The two charges will be served concurrently. In the second March 19 case involving neglect of a dependent, Heinzman was sentenced to two years in the Department of Corrections. This charge will be served consecutively to the first March 19 case.

In the March 31 case involving a drug overdose, Reed sentenced Heinzman to two years in the Department of Corrections for dealing in a narcotic drug and two years in the Department of Corrections for dealing in methamphetamine. Both charges will be served consecutively.

“You have a ton of potential to fix your behavior,” said Reed. “But you have to be the one willing to help yourself. You have to do it, and I hope you move forward and better yourself.”