By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews

Nathan Richard Yoder

WARSAW — A Warsaw man will serve an eight-year sentence locally for two drug possession cases.

Nathan Richard Yoder, 37, 2605 E. Center St., Warsaw, was charged with two counts of possession of methamphetamine with enhancing circumstances, both level 5 felonies. Eleven additional criminal charges were all dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Yoder was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court One on Thursday, Aug. 14.

For each charge, Kosciusko Superior Court One Judge Karin McGrath sentenced Yoder to four years in the Indiana Department of Correction, with three years executed and one year suspended on probation. Both counts will be served back-to-back.

In total, Yoder received an eight-year sentence, with six years executed and two years on probation.

McGrath approved Yoder serving the first three years of his executed sentence through the Kosciusko County Work Release Program and the remainder of the executed time through Kosciusko County Community Corrections.

At sentencing, Deputy Prosecutor Christanne Hampton said Yoder has an “egregious criminal history and an overwhelming use of drugs.”

“Even after programming and being aware of his use, it does not appear these efforts have had their desired effect,” said Hampton. “This pattern of behavior can’t continue.”

Defense Attorney John Barrett agreed with the majority of Hampton’s statements, noting that he’s witnessed a big change in Yoder when he’s sober.

“The road to recovery is a bumpy one,” said Barrett. “He needs to keep trying and hope it’ll take at some point.”

McGrath asked Yoder why she shouldn’t send him back to prison. Yoder said he “got around the wrong people, places and things.” In his pre-sentence investigation report, Yoder stated he was “begging for help and kept getting denied.”

McGrath noted Yoder had successfully completed the Recovery While Incarcerated program at one point.

“Help doesn’t come in the form of a magic bullet,” said McGrath. “No one can force sobriety on you. It’s a road you have to walk and you have to be willing to fight for your sobriety.”

Affidavit Information

On April 11, Warsaw Police officers responded to a drug overdose at a residence. The overdose victim was given Narcan and taken to a local hospital.

According to court documents, Yoder was at the residence during the overdose. Officers searched the home and found 0.2 grams of meth.

On April 26, Warsaw Police officers responded to a drug overdose at a residence. Upon arrival at the home, officers found Yoder performing CPR on a woman.

Officers executed a search warrant at the home and found a glass pipe that tested positive for meth.

Yoder has prior convictions for dealing a narcotic drug and paraphernalia possession.