By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Gerardo Sanchez Jr.

WARSAW — A Syracuse man will serve a four-year sentence through probation after impressing the courts with how he’s changed his lifestyle and avoided drug use.

In the first case, Gerardo Sanchez Jr., 30, 508 N. Parkway Drive Apartment A., Syracuse, was charged with maintaining a common nuisance, a level 6 felony. He was also charged with carrying a handgun without a license, a level 5 felony, in a second case. Ten additional criminal charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Sanchez was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Monday, Dec. 6.

On May 23, 2019, the Warsaw Police Department responded to a domestic battery. Upon arrival at the scene, officers saw a woman who had visible injuries to her face. Sanchez, who was also at the home, had a scratch under his right eye. While speaking with the woman, officers smelled marijuana coming from the home. Four children were inside the residence.

While searching the home, officers found 11 plastic bags containing a total of 7.2 grams of marijuana. Officers also found drug paraphernalia and 60 grams of THC oil.

On Oct. 29, 2020, a Syracuse Police officer noticed a speeding vehicle. The officer attempted to pull the speeding vehicle over. However, a maroon Buick in between the officer and the speeding driver did not yield to the officer and allow him to pass. This resulted in the officer pulling the Buick’s driver over.

While approaching the vehicle, the officer could immediately smell marijuana. The Buick’s driver, identified as Sanchez, said he had smoked marijuana earlier that day. While searching the vehicle, the officer found a loaded pistol under the front seat of the vehicle. Sanchez said the firearm belonged to a relative and that he didn’t hold a firearm carry permit.

During court proceedings, it was noted that about 10 to 15 pages worth of letters supporting Sanchez were submitted to the court for review. Several of Sanchez’s family members also attended the sentencing in support.

Defense Attorney Adam Brower focused on how Sanchez has changed for the better. He told the court that Sanchez has primarily focused on getting healthy, both physically and mentally, in order to do better for his kids.

“He is a totally different person now,” said Brower. “He understands the behavior he was in wasn’t conducive. This is the wakeup call that was needed for him.”

As a result of Sanchez’s cases, his parental rights to his children were taken away. However, the Department of Child Services has since reunified him with his children since Sanchez has improved and changed his lifestyle.

Brower also told the court that Sanchez is a few training hours away from becoming a licensed barber.

For maintaining a common nuisance, Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed gave Sanchez a one-year sentence at the Indiana Department of Correction. He also received a three-year DoC sentence for carrying a handgun without a license. Both cases will be served consecutively.

In total, Sanchez received a four-year sentence, which was all suspended on probation.

Judge Reed commended Sanchez for changing his habits and encouraged him to continue down the path he’s on.

“You’ve earned this opportunity,” said Judge Reed. “You’ve actually done it.”