Joshua Loren Borkholder

WARSAW — A Nappanee man was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court Monday, Sept. 9, after officers made a traffic stop and found more than five grams of methamphetamine.

Joshua Loren Borkholder, 40, 13317 N. CR 700W, Nappanee, was charged with dealing in methamphetamine, a level 4 felony; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor. Additional charges of dealing in methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance and failure to appear were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

On Jan. 25, 2018, an officer with the Warsaw Police Department saw a vehicle change lanes without using a signal on Detroit Street. When the officer activated his emergency lights, the vehicle continued north before stopping.

While searching the vehicle, the officer found several smoking devices containing residue, a fabric bag containing a plastic bag with 5.6 grams of methamphetamine, two digital scales with residue, and several unused plastic bags.

According to court documents, after being taken to the county jail, officers found two coffee filters with a white powder and five pills on Borkholder. The coffee filters tested positive for methamphetamine and the pills were identified as buprenorphine.

Borkholder has previously been convicted of dealing in methamphetamine on March 26, 2008, and Jan. 14, 2019, in Kosciusko County.

Defense attorney Austin Rovenstine said that Borkholder is currently serving his January 2019 sentence in the Indiana Department of Corrections and is a part of the Recovery While Incarcerated program.

“I’m taking getting treatment and help very seriously,” said Borkholder.

For dealing in methamphetamine, Judge Michael Reed sentenced Borkholder to four years in the Department of Corrections. He was also sentenced to 60 days in the Kosciusko County Jail for possession of paraphernalia. Both charges will be served concurrently. Reed suspended Borkholder’s driving privileges for one year effective immediately after his release.