By Caleigh Byrer
InkFreeNews

WARSAW —A Syracuse man was sentenced to 20 years in the Indiana Department of Correction following the controlled purchase of methamphetamine by the Kosciusko County Narcotics Enforcement Team.

Brad Lee Niles Jr.

Brad Lee Niles Jr., 36, 1010 N. Huntington St., Syracuse, was charged with one count of dealing methamphetamine, a level 2 felony, and as a habitual offender. Additional charges were dropped as a result of a plea agreement.

Niles was sentenced in Kosciusko County Circuit Court Monday, Feb. 20, with Judge Michael Reed presiding.

Prior to sentencing, Niles stated, “I know what I did was wrong. I got complacent, stopped going to meetings and I relapsed. I lost my mind. I’m sorry.”

Attorney Paul Stanko, representing Niles, claimed his “acceptance of responsibility” and willingness to make statements to exonerate an innocent party in one of his previous cases spoke to his readiness for change.

Reed sentenced Niles to 20 consecutive years in IDOC, the maximum sentence that could be given within the terms of the plea agreement.

Sometime during August 2021, NET 43 conducted a controlled purchase of more than 28 grams of meth from Niles.

Also sometime during August 2021, a NET 43 informant purchased more than one gram of a narcotic drug (fentanyl) from Niles while he was in possession of a firearm.

Niles had at least two prior felony convictions at the time of his arrest for these crimes.