Timothy Ryan Thompson

KOSCIUSKO — An Elkhart man was sentenced to three years at the Indiana Department of Corrections in Kosciusko Circuit Court Wednesday, Feb. 6. 

Timothy Ryan Thompson, 41, 1007 Bower St., Elkhart, pleaded guilty to dealing in methamphetamine. a level 5 felony.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Thompson was arrested after an officer with the Syracuse Police Department witnessed him dealing approximately 4.7 grams of methamphetamine. 

Thompson’s lawyer, Attorney Jack Roebel, told Judge Michael Reed that Thompson appears to be remorseful and has accepted responsibility. Roebel explained that during the time leading up to his arrest, Thompson was unemployed and going through a hard time. 

“I don’t have any kind of excuses — it was a choice on my part,” Thompson said in court today. “Given the chance, I know I can prove myself.” 

“It’s pretty simple. We all go through hard times. If you choose to go into the drug dealing business, one of the risks is going to jail,” said Reed. “The bottom line is you got caught. Punishment is required.”

Reed sentenced Thompson to three years at the Indiana Department of Corrections but suspended the IDOC placement and ordered that the first two years of the sentence be served at the Kosciusko County Jail. Reed said he had no objection to the sentence being served through work release, provided Thompson is qualified and remains qualified.

The last year of the sentence was suspended and ordered to be served on formal probation. 

Thompson was ordered to undergo a substance abuse evaluation and to participate in MRT through the Kosciusko Probation Department. He will pay a minimum $200 drug interdiction fee and $400 in restitution to the Syracuse Police Department. Thompson was given 161 days of jail time credit.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, a second charge was dismissed.