By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Scott Eugene Walter

WARSAW — A Pierceton man will serve an eight-year sentence locally after dealing drugs.

Scott Eugene Walter, 48, 597 S. Old SR 13 Lot 13, Pierceton, was charged with two counts of dealing methamphetamine, both level 4 felonies. He was also charged with dealing methamphetamine and operating a vehicle after forfeiture of license for life, both level 5 felonies. Four criminal charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Walter was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Monday, March 6.

For each Level 4 meth dealing charge, Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed gave Walter a six-year sentence at the Indiana Department of Correction, with both counts to be served concurrently, or at the same time. Walter also received two-year DOC sentences for each of his Level 5 felony charges, which will both be served concurrently. The two-year sentence was suspended on probation, with both of Walter’s cases to be served consecutively.

In total, Walter received an eight-year sentence, with six years executed and two years on probation. Reed showed no objection to Walter serving the executed portion through the county’s work release or community corrections programs, but said the first four years has to be served through work release.

Walter must pay $60 in restitution to the NET43 Drug Task Force. He must also report to the Kosciusko County Jail by Friday, March 10, for execution of his sentence.

At sentencing, Defense Attorney Benjamin Nordmann said the circumstances with both of Walter’s cases were closely related in time and argued the cases should be served concurrently because of this. He also said Walter has already been accepted to the Kosciusko County work release program and is currently employed.

Between May and June 2021, NET43 made two controlled purchases of meth from Walter. The group bought a total of 5.9 grams.

On June 16, 2021, a Pierceton Police officer pulled over a speeding vehicle and identified its driver as Walter, whose driving status was registered as a lifetime habitual traffic violator. A K9 unit alerted to drugs in the vehicle and the officer found one gram of meth. Walter told the officer he uses and deals meth.