Kyler Northrup

WARSAW — A man described by his attorney as being  “medically fragile” was sentenced to three years at the Indiana Department of Corrections.

Kyler Northrup, with addresses on file from both Leesburg and Garrett, appeared in the Kosciusko Circuit Court Monday, Dec. 2, for a sentencing hearing involving two separate cases.

In  one case, Northrup pleaded guilty to dealing in methamphetamine, a level 5 felony. He pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony, in the other.

The first case involved a controlled purchase conducted by Warsaw Police in which Northrup sold methamphetamine. The second case involved a contraband search at the Kosciusko County Jail where Northrup was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. 

Northrup’s attorney, Jon Seth Tipton, told Judge Michael Reed that Northrup has upcoming medical appointments in the near future. Tipton explained that Northrup had a seizure while incarcerated at Kosciusko County Jail and fell down some steps, which caused a brain bleed. 

Reed pointed out that the initial skull injury was the result of a motorcycle accident several years ago.

Tipton concurred with Reed’s statement but said, “This most recent brain bleed has significantly set him back.”

Tipton asked for a 30-day continuance. He informed Reed that Northrup is scheduled to meet with a doctor Dec. 11 and a surgery will then be scheduled. Tipton indicated that Northrup will have a plate installed in his skull. 

“There is a medical facility at IDOC,” Prosecuting Attorney Daniel Hampton commented.

Reed denied the motion to continue the sentencing. Tipton then requested that Northrup be allowed to serve his sentence through Community Corrections, stating that it would be an extreme hardship for Northrup to serve time at the Indiana Department of Corrections with his medical condition. 

“His medical treatment is going to be intense and ongoing,” Tipton said.

Hampton called attention to “the almost seven pages of history he (Northrup) has had in the criminal justice system,” and said he felt it was time for Northrup to be held accountable.

“A lot of those charges are from years ago,” Northrup said. “I know I messed up. I guess I’m just asking for a little leniency.”

“I think it’s time you’ve got to bite the bullet and go with it,” Reed said. 

Northrup was sentenced to 2 1/2 years at the Indiana Department of Corrections for the charge of dealing in methamphetamine. He received a six-month sentence at IDOC for the possession of methamphetamine charge. The sentences were ordered to be served consecutively. An additional charge was dismissed, pursuant to the plea agreement. 

Jail time credit will be determined at a later time. Northrup was ordered to participate in the Recovery While Incarcerated program.