Heeter Receives 15 Years In Prison For Dealing Drugs
By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — A Warsaw man will serve 15 years in prison for dealing drugs.
John Clay Heeter, 51, Warsaw, was charged with dealing methamphetamine, a level 2 felony. Nine additional charges were all dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Heeter was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Monday, Dec. 4.
For dealing meth, Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed sentenced Heeter to 15 years in the Indiana Department of Correction. He has 90 days of jail time credit, plus good time credit as calculated. Reed also recommended Heeter for participation in Recovery While Incarcerated.
At sentencing, Heeter said the last crime he committed was in 2004 and requested leniency, acknowledging his mistakes.
Prosecutor Brad Voelz said he took great issue with Heeter dealing a significant amount of drugs for profit.
Defense Attorney Scott Reust described Heeter’s case as unique because of the large gap between Heeter’s last criminal activity and this case. He also said Heeter was fully cooperative with police during the incident.
“How many others did you put in harm’s way because of your actions?” asked Reed. “This behavior is totally unacceptable.”
On Aug. 31, an Indiana State Police trooper obtained a search warrant for Heeter’s home after receiving information about Heeter dealing a large amount of drugs from his residence.
Upon serving the warrant, officers found 123 grams of meth and $1,200 in US currency.
Heeter told law enforcement he dealt eight ounces of meth a week and had been doing so for eight months.
Related Article