WARSAW — A Syracuse man will be incarcerated after he showed up for his sentencing in multiple drug-related cases and declined to be drug tested.

Tyler Logan Rex

Tyler Logan Rex, 20, 702 E. Nokomis Drive, Syracuse, pleaded guilty in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Jan. 14 to possession of cocaine, a level 6 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; counterfeiting, a level 6 felony; possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor. He appeared in court on Monday, Feb. 18 for sentencing. Judge Michael Reed confirmed with Rex’s attorney Doug Lemon, that Rex refused to take a drug test, which was requested by the probation department.

“I’m troubled, yet optimistic for Tyler,” said Lemon prior to sentencing. “He’s bright and thoughtful, yet it’s somewhat alarming that choices began being made to take substances. I think Tyler will be the first to say he needs to dry out.”

Rex was arrested on at least two occasions for drug-related offenses. On April 2, 2018, officers responded to a fight in progress and when they arrived spoke to a man who told police he was arguing with his son about bringing Rex to the residence. Police reported smelling a strong odor of marijuana on Rex and searched his person, finding not only a quantity of marijuana but also prescription medication and a counterfeit $20 bill. On May 29, 2018, Rex was booked and charged as part of a drug raid by police.

“You’ve got a problem, a serious problem,” said Reed to Rex prior to the sentencing. “If you don’t address that, everything else we’re going to talk about does not matter.”

Reed sentenced Rex to a pair of one-year sentences, along with a six-month stint in the first case. Rex received one year for the cocaine possession, one year for counterfeiting and 180 days for possession of marijuana. Reed ordered the sentences to be served at the same time. In the other case, possession of methamphetamine netted Rex a one-year sentence, while the paraphernalia charge warranted a term of 60 days behind bars. All of the sentences were made to the Kosciusko County Jail. In the second case, Reed suspended the term in favor of probation. Reed also told Rex he could apply for work release or community corrections. Rex received a total of 89 days of credit for time served.