By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Christopher Aaron Susaraba

WARSAW — A jury trial scheduled to begin Tuesday, March 9, for a man accused of providing drugs to a jail inmate who later died has been canceled.

Christopher Aaron Susaraba, 30, Warsaw, is charged with dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death, a level 1 felony; and trafficking with an inmate, a level 5 felony.

Prior to the trial beginning, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Matt Buehler asked Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed to continue the trial because the state needed more time to prepare evidence. Judge Reed denied this motion.

Buehler then made the motion to dismiss the criminal charges against Susaraba in the case; he said the state intended to re-file the same charges against Susaraba under a different case number. Judge Reed allowed the motion.

A new trial date for Susaraba’s case has not been set.

According to court documents, on March 9, 2019, Kosciusko County Jail officers responded to a report of an unresponsive inmate. Officers entered a cell block to find an inmate performing CPR on Dennis McCrory, 39, Michigan. The inmate told officers McCrory was overdosing on heroin.

Officers continued CPR until medical personnel arrived, performed CPR and administered Narcan with no success. McCrory was pronounced dead, with his cause of death ruled as acute mixed drug intoxication.

Several witnesses said Susaraba brought a large amount of heroin and methamphetamine into the jail. The witnesses said Susaraba was dealing heroin and methamphetamine to multiple inmates in exchange for money. Susaraba allegedly provided a large amount of methamphetamine and heroin to McCrory. McCrory used the drugs, became lethargic and eventually overdosed, causing death.