Warsaw Man Receives Seven Year Sentence For Two Drug Cases
By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — A Warsaw man received a seven-year prison sentence in two drug-related cases.
In the first case, Alfred W.P. McDonald, 56, 602 S. McClellan St., Warsaw, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a level 4 felony. He was also charged with dealing methamphetamine, a level 4 felony, in a second case. Six additional criminal charges, as well as two drug-related cases, were all dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
McDonald was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Thursday, Feb. 24.
Sometime in October 2021, Kosciusko County’s NET43 Drug Task Force made a controlled purchase of 2.37 grams of methamphetamine from McDonald.
On Oct. 5, 2021, NET43 executed a search warrant at McDonald’s residence, where they found drug paraphernalia that tested positive for methamphetamine, three firearms, baggies, and ammunition.
While speaking with officers at his home, McDonald admitted to dealing methamphetamine and said the guns and drugs in the residence belonged to him.
McDonald was previously convicted of dealing methamphetamine in 2012 in Kosciusko Circuit Court. Because of that case, McDonald was classified as a serious violent felon and should not have been in possession of a firearm.
During court proceedings, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz noted that McDonald has a significant criminal history which includes “dishonesty, violence, and substance abuse.” He said McDonald was not a good candidate for probation or any type of suspended sentence.
Defense Attorney Jay Rigdon said McDonald regrets his involvement in the incidents and has taken responsibility for his actions.
McDonald also apologized to his family and the community.
“At my age, I took the dirt road instead of the paved highway,” said McDonald. “I want to be a real person and not be in a false reality…I’m not a misfit, I know I can be a better person.”
For unlawful possession of a firearm, Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed sentenced McDonald to four years in the Indiana Department of Correction. He has 142 days of jail time credit in the case, plus good time credit as calculated. The firearms in this case will be forfeited to NET43. For dealing methamphetamine, McDonald received a three-year DoC sentence. Both cases will be served consecutively to each other.
McDonald must also pay $110 in restitution to NET43. A cash bond McDonald posted will be used to pay the restitution.
In total, McDonald received a seven-year DoC sentence. Judge Reed recommended McDonald for Recovery While Incarcerated as part of his prison sentence.
“You have a lot of potential if you don’t use drugs,” said Judge Reed.