Pierceton Man Receives Five Years In Prison For Drug Dealing
By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews
Jacob John Schlichter
WARSAW — A Pierceton man will serve five years in prison on a drug dealing charge after officers responded to a fatal overdose in Warsaw.
Jacob John Schlichter, 31, 926 N. 900E, Pierceton, was charged with dealing in a narcotic drug, a level 5 felony.
Schlichter was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Monday, Sept. 22.
Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Matthew Buehler sentenced Schlichter to five years in the Indiana Department of Correction. He has 10 days of jail time credit, plus good time credit as calculated.
Buehler also recommended Schlichter for participation in Recovery While Incarcerated during his sentence.
At sentencing, Prosecutor Brad Voelz read a letter from Angela Gasaway, the mother of Derrick S. Gasaway, 31, Warsaw. Derrick passed away on May 11, 2023, as a result of a drug overdose.
Prior to the letter’s admittance as evidence, Defense Attorney John Barrett objected to it, saying Schlichter was pleading guilty to a drug dealing charge and not a dealing resulting in death charge. Voelz said Schlichter had admitted to all the facts in the affidavit of probable cause, which states Schlichter dealt drugs to Derrick, who later passed away. He noted that while a straight line couldn’t be drawn between Schlichter dealing the drugs that led to Derrick’s death, it didn’t mean the death had not occurred.
Buehler said if Derrick were alive, he would have allowed him to testify at Schlichter’s sentencing. He overruled Barrett’s motion and allowed Angela’s letter as evidence.
“The loss of my only son was the most devastating experience of my life,” said Angela. “Fifty dollars is what my son’s life and Jacob’s were worth.”
Angela said while she was disappointed Schlichter wasn’t facing a higher felony, she requested the court sentence Schlichter to the maximum he could receive for the Level 5 felony he pled guilty to. She also noted Derrick had a son who now has to grow up without his dad.
“No parent should have to bury a child,” said Angela in her letter. “I would have much rather seen my son in another jail booking than an obituary. My son was far from perfect, but I want an apology from Jacob. Let’s stop the cycle of lighter sentences … do what’s right for my son.”
A letter from Derrick’s sister, Chelsea Triplett, was also submitted to the court for review.
Barrett said while Schlichter had a significant criminal history, he began going to rehab in August and is gainfully employed. He also told the court Schlichter turned himself in as soon as a warrant was issued for his arrest.
“Jacob did a bad thing, he knows it and accepts it,” said Barrett.
Barrett requested the court accept the proposed plea agreement and allow Schlichter to have alternative sentencing as an option.
Two letters in support of Schlichter were also submitted to the court.
Schlichter directly apologized to Derrick’s family, who was present in court.
“Derrick was a very good friend of mine,” said Schlichter. “I’m no dealer … I was just a friend helping a friend. This had a huge effect on my life and took me to my lowest point. I’m sorry that we’re all here today.”
“You’re certainly not alone in feeling sorry that we’re all here today,” said Buehler. “What I do take issue with is you saying you’re not a dealer. That’s just not true. Don’t tell me you’re not when you already told me you were by accepting this plea.”
Affidavit of Probable Cause
On May 11, 2023, officers with the Warsaw Police Department and Kosciusko County NET 43 Drug Task Force responded to a fatal drug overdose involving Derrick.
A postmortem examination on Derrick ruled his manner of death as accidental and the cause as fentanyl toxicity.
A NET 43 officer spoke with a coworker of Derrick’s, who said Derrick used social media to contact Schlichter about getting some drugs.
During the evening hours of May 10, 2023, the coworker said he and Derrick were sitting together in a vehicle when a Dodge pickup pulled up. Derrick ran to the pickup and came back with drugs. The coworker said he believed Derrick thought the pills were oxycodone and not fentanyl.
On Jan. 30, 2024, officers spoke with a man who went to Schlichter’s home on May 11, 2023. He said Schlichter was emotional and told him his best friend died. Schlichter said he saw Derrick the day he died and was worried because he gave Derrick drugs. Schlichter said he thought the drugs were opiates.
In an interview on Jan. 31, 2024, Schlichter admitted he sold Derrick five fentanyl pills in exchange for $50.