Simpson To Serve Four Years In Prison For Illegally Possessing Gun, Drugs
By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — A Warsaw man will serve four years in prison after unlawfully possessing a firearm and drugs.
Hayden Michael Simpson, 31, Warsaw, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a level 4 felony; and possession of methamphetamine, a level 5 felony. Three additional criminal charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Simpson was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Monday, April 10.
At sentencing, Defense Attorney Cory Spreen said Simpson was looking forward to putting the case behind him.
For unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed sentenced Simpson to four years in the Indiana Department of Correction. Simpson also received a three-year DOC sentence for meth possession; the three years was suspended on probation. Both counts will be served consecutively. The case will also be served consecutively to a burglary case from Elkhart County.
In total, Simpson received a seven-year sentence, with four years executed and three years suspended. He has 243 days of jail time credit, plus good time credit as calculated. Reed recommended Simpson for participation in Recovery While Incarcerated during his prison sentence.
The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office will dispose of the firearm seized during this incident.
Affidavit of Probable Cause
On Aug. 9, 2022, a KCSO deputy responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle at a business in Leesburg. Upon arrival at the scene, the deputy saw Simpson sleeping in the driver’s seat of a vehicle.
According to court documents, the deputy could see a glass smoking device in Simpson’s vehicle.
While searching Simpson’s person, the deputy found a yellow container containing 4.1 grams of meth. Upon searching the vehicle, the deputy found a shotgun with a cut-down barrel and missing butt.
Simpson is classified as a serious violent felon, having been convicted of burglary in Elkhart County in April 2014.