By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Devin Michael Brown

WARSAW — A Claypool man will serve five years in prison for three criminal cases, including one incident where he stabbed a person at Time Out Inn in Warsaw.

In the first case, Devin Michael Brown, 27, 405 S. Main St., Claypool, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony. In the second case, Brown was charged with battery by means of a deadly weapon, a level 5 felony. Brown was also charged for violating his rules of probation in a fraud and theft case stemming from 2012.

Brown was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court One on July 2.

Unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

On July 9, 2019, a Winona Lake Police officer noticed a vehicle with an improperly attached license plate. The officer pulled the vehicle over and found that Brown was a passenger in the vehicle.

A K9 unit detected illegal drugs in the vehicle. Under where Brown was sitting, officers found a plastic bag containing a white powder residue that tested positive for methamphetamine.

At 2:15 a.m. Dec. 8, 2019, Warsaw Police officers investigated a report of a stabbing at the Time Out Inn. Police found a victim with a stab wound. According to court documents, the victim was taken to Lutheran Hospital.

During the investigation, police determined that Brown was the perpetrator. He was detained by police after his vehicle was pulled over shortly after the incident. Brown told officers that he threw the knife he used to stab the man out of the vehicle’s window. Officers later found the knife.

“He needs to answer for his criminal history and his behavior,” said Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz.

Defense Attorney Austin Rovenstine said he spoke with the victim in the stabbing case twice and said that Brown and the victim have a “father-son like relationship.”

“(The victim) blames the stabbing on Devin’s drug use,” said Rovenstine. “He believes Devin needs substance abuse treatment.”

Defense Attorney Travis Neff, who is representing Brown in the methamphetamine possession case, also agreed that Brown needs placement into a drug treatment program.

“I need in a program,” said Brown. “I didn’t think I needed help but I would love to get help.”

In the battery case, Judge David Cates sentenced Brown to three years in the Indiana Department of Correction. Brown received a one-year prison sentence for possession of methamphetamine and one year in DoC for probation violation. All three cases will be served consecutively.

Cates recommended Brown participate in the Recovery While Incarcerated program while serving his sentence. A no-contact order is also established between Brown and the victim in the battery case.