Kendallville Man To Serve Four Years In Prison On Dealing Conviction
By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — A Kendallville man will serve four years in prison after officers discovered a large amount of methamphetamine in a vehicle.
Joshua E. Jellison, 42, 526 E. Diamond St., Kendallville, was charged with dealing methamphetamine, a level 4 felony. Two additional criminal charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Jellison was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Monday, Aug. 1.
On Aug. 3, 2020, a Warsaw Police officer was patrolling westbound on Old Road 30 when he passed a vehicle traveling 40 mph in a 30 mph speed zone. The officer pulled the vehicle over and identified its driver as Jellison and its passenger as Amanda A. Strunk, Wolcottville.
According to court documents, a K9 unit at the scene alerted to illegal narcotics in the vehicle. While searching the vehicle, officers found several small plastic bags containing methamphetamine. Officers also found three bags containing substantial amounts of methamphetamine, with each bag weighing more than seven grams.
Jellison told officers he did not know anything about the methamphetamine, saying that the vehicle was not his and that he was just driving it.
During court proceedings, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz said Jellison has a significant criminal history consisting of similar conduct as the August 2020 case. He recommended that Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed give Jellison a prison sentence.
Defense Attorney Austin Rovenstine requested Judge Reed recommend Jellison for participation in Recovery While Incarcerated during his time at the Indiana Department of Correction.
“Treatment would be very helpful to him (Jellison) and his family,” said Rovenstine.
Jellison told Judge Reed that he decided not to seek residential treatment so he could spend more time with his child, since he knew he would be facing prison time. He told the court that he’s made great strides in the last year and that his appearance for sentencing proved he was taking accountability versus running away, something Jellison said he used to do frequently.
For dealing methamphetamine, Judge Reed sentenced Jellison to six years in prison. The last two years of the sentence were suspended on probation. Judge Reed also recommended Jellison for participation in RWI during his time at DoC.
In total, Jellison will serve four years in prison and two years on probation.