Staff Report

WARSAW — A Pierceton man was sentenced in Kosciusko County Circuit Court Monday, Sept. 27, on a charge stemming from a NET43 controlled purchase.

Nathan Richard Yoder

Nathan R. Yoder, 34, 409 W. Wayne St., Pierceton, pleaded guilty to dealing in a narcotic drug, a level 4 felony. He was also charged with failure to appear and probation violation. 

According to the affidavit of probable cause, in August 2020, NET43 investigators met with a confidential informant who had arranged to purchase heroin from Yoder.

The informant was outfitted with audio/video recording and transmitting devices in order to capture the controlled purchase, which took place inside a vehicle in a parking lot.

Yoder produced a plastic bag containing a substance and gave it to the informant in exchange for the NET43’s documented funds. The substance tested positive for heroin and weighed 1.09 grams.

Yoder’s attorney, Adam Neff, said Yoder has attempted to get into Community Corrections, Work Release and Drug Court but was turned down.

Neff asked that Yoder be recommended for the Recovery While Incarcerated program “so that he can get the help he needs.”

“I think RWI would be a great program for Mr. Yoder,” Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz agreed.

When asked if he would like to speak, Yoder said, “I just want help. That’s it.”

For the charge of dealing a narcotic drug, Yoder was sentenced to four years at the Indiana Dept. of Corrections. In addition, he was sentenced to one year in prison for a charge of failure to appear and one year in prison for a probation violation charge.

The sentences were ordered to be served consecutively. Yoder was given a total of 376 days of jail time credit. 

Yoder was recommended for participation in the RWI program.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, additional charges were dismissed.