By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Dylan Thomas Allen

WARSAW — A Fort Wayne man will serve a three-year sentence on probation after a traffic stop resulted in the discovery of drugs.

Dylan Thomas Allen, 28, Fort Wayne, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 5 felony. Three additional criminal charges were all dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Allen was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Thursday, July 14.

On March 15, 2021, a Warsaw Police officer noticed a vehicle fail to use a proper turn signal on Lake City Highway. This resulted in the officer pulling the vehicle over and identifying its driver as Allen.

According to court documents, Allen appeared nervous and said he had used drugs in the last two weeks. Upon searching the vehicle, the officer found three bags containing methamphetamine that weighed a total of 4.3 grams.

Officers also found methamphetamine in a purse belonging to November R. Kendrick, South Bend. Kendrick was a passenger in Allen’s vehicle.

While searching Allen’s phone, officers found Allen had messaged Kendrick about needing methamphetamine to stay awake. In the messages, Kendrick told Allen she could get methamphetamine but that he would have to pay for it.

Kendrick was sentenced in May 2022 to a two-year sentence at the Kosciusko County Jail, with the entirety of the sentence suspended on probation.

During court proceedings, Defense Attorney Mark Thoma called Jeffrey Allen, Dylan’s father, for testimony. Jeffrey said Dylan has a very good work ethic and would live with him in Fort Wayne.

Dylan apologized for his actions in court and asked for alternative sentencing such as probation to allow him to care for his father.

“None of my apology justifies my actions,” said Dylan. “I recognize the damage I’ve done to myself and others.”

Dylan and Jeffrey both informed Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed that Dylan made a promise to his late mother to quit using drugs. Dylan has been sober since November 2021.

Thoma requested the court allow Dylan to serve the Kosciusko County case consecutively to a methamphetamine possession case from Allen County. In the Allen County case, Dylan will serve two years through HOPE Probation, which was described in court by Thoma as a “very intensive, very hands-on” program.

“It’s an important recognition for someone who’s an addict to realize that it’s one day at a time,” said Thoma.

For meth possession, Judge Reed sentenced Allen to three years in prison. The entirety of the sentence was suspended on probation, with Dylan’s probation allowed to be transferred over to Allen County.