Two Warsaw Men Face Dealing Meth Charges
Staff Report
WARSAW — Two Warsaw men are facing charges of dealing methamphetamine.
Larry E. Konkle, 54, 1108 Fisher Ave., Warsaw; and Kyle James Gilson, 30, 1018 Pike Shore Drive, Warsaw, are both facing numerous charges in Kosciusko County.
Konkle and Gilson are each charged with: Dealing methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony; possession of methamphetamine, enhancing circumstances, a Level 3 felony; possession of a syringe, a Level 6 felony; carrying a handgun without a license, a Class A misdemeanor; possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor; and sentence enhancement carrying a handgun with a felony conviction within 15 years.
According to two probable cause affidavits, at approximately 12:56 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 8, a Warsaw Police officer was patrolling near Bass and Lake Streets in Warsaw. He saw a 2003 tan Chevrolet Malibu. It had a louder than normal exhaust sound and the driver failed to signal 200 feet before turning onto South Columbia Street.
The officer conducted a traffic stop and saw a male driver, Gilson, and male passenger, Konkle. Both provided the officer with identification. The car was found to belong to Gilson’s girlfriend’s father.
Another Warsaw Police officer arrived to assist with the scene. The first officer had Gilson and Konkle leave the vehicle. He had his narcotics-detecting K9 walk around the vehicle.
The dog alerted that narcotics were in the vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle and found a black canvas container with a combination lock that was in front of the vehicle console under the radio/climate console and within reach of the two men in the vehicle.
Inside the container, officers found the following: a black Taurus .22 caliber handgun loaded with a magazine with multiple rounds; a black nylon holster; a second loaded Taurus magazine with multiple rounds; a box of 79 .22 caliber rounds; a glass pipe with burnt residue; four bags of methamphetamine that had a total weight of 14.8 grams (three of the four bags had a similar amount of methamphetamine); two loaded syringes; a scale with white residue; and a package of rolling papers.
The officer completed a warning for Gilson for having loud exhaust and failing to signal properly. Gilson told investigators that Konkle was aware of the contents of the black bag, including the firearm, syringes and packages of methamphetamine.
Gilson also said Konkle was responsible for setting up drug deals and that the firearm was for protection during the deals.
Gilson has a prior felony conviction from 2018 in Elkhart County for resisting law enforcement, a Level 6 felony; from 2018 in Elkhart County for auto theft, a Level 6 felony; and from 2017 in Elkhart County for possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony.
Konkle was convicted of dealing methamphetamine in 2011 in Kosciusko County. He also has the following pending cases: possession of a narcotic drug, a Level 6 felony; possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor; and operating while intoxicated; possession of a narcotic drug with enhancing circumstances, a Level 5 felony; unlawful possession of a syringe, a Level 6 felony; maintaining a common nuisance, a Level 6 felony; and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor; and possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony.
Gilson was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on Dec. 8 with a $25,250 surety and cash bond. Konkle was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on Dec. 8 with a $50,250 surety and cash bond.