Felony court news - Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Methamphetamine

Several Indiana residents were sentenced to serve time for possession of methamphetamine.

Dylan M. McKibben, 30, 3039 67 West, Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 348 days in Jay County Jail and given credit for 174 days served. McKibben was assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fee. As part of his plea agreement, two Class A misdemeanors for possession of marijuana were dismissed.

In a separate case, McKibben also pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to possession of methamphetamine, a Level 5 felony. He was sentenced to three years in Indiana Department of Correction with all of his sentence suspended and placed on probation for three years. He was assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fee.

David E. Franks, 63, 1206 North Franklin St., Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to one year in Jay County Jail with all but two days of his sentence suspended and given two days credit for time served. Franks was placed on probation for 363 days, fined $100, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fee. 

He was also ordered to submit to an evaluation within 30 days of his sentencing for substance abuse counseling. As part of his plea agreement, a Class C misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia was dismissed.

Jordan M. Moreillon, 23, 3126 South Grant St., Muncie, pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony. He was sentenced to 545 days in Jay County Jail with all of his sentence suspended and given 168 days credit for time served. Moreillon was fined $25, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fee. He was also ordered to submit to an evaluation within 30 days of his sentencing for substance abuse counseling. Moreillon was placed on probation for one year. As part of his plea agreement, a Level 6 felony for maintaining a common nuisance and a Class B misdemeanor for possession of marijuana were dismissed.

Jason W. Hensley, 50, 114 West McNeal St., Portland, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to possession of methamphetamine, a Level 5 felony. He was sentenced to five years in Indiana Department of Correction and given credit for time served. Hensley was fined $1, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fee. As part of his plea agreement, two Level 6 felonies for unlawful possession of a syringe and maintaining a common nuisance, as well as a Class C misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia, were dismissed.

Resisting law

A Muncie man was sentenced to six years in prison for resisting police.

Matthew E. Waters, 44, 1814 E 20TH St., Muncie, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to resisting law enforcement, a Level 5 felony. He was sentenced to six years in Indiana Department of Correction and given credit for time served. Waters was assessed $189 in court costs. He was recommended for purposeful incarceration, meaning upon completing a substance abuse treatment program, the court would consider modifying his sentence.

As part of his plea agreement, a Level 5 felony for battery by means of a deadly weapon and a Level 6 felony for criminal recklessness were dismissed, and a habitual offender enhancement was withdrawn.

Criminal mischief

A Redkey man was sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to criminal mischief.

Chase H. Louck, 32, 20 East Logan St., pleaded guilty in Jay Superior Court to the Class B misdemeanor. He was sentenced to 180 days in Jay County Jail with all but 20 days suspended and given six days credit for time served. Louck was fined $1, assessed $189 in court costs and placed on probation for 180 days.

As part of his plea agreement, a Level 6 felony for residential entry and a Class A misdemeanor for battery resulting in bodily injury were dismissed.

Narcotics

Two Indiana residents were sentenced to prison for possession of narcotics.

Emili A. Smith, 24, 112 W. Third St., Ridgeville, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to possession of a narcotic drug, a Level 6 felony. She was sentenced to 18 months in Indiana Department of Correction with 12 months of her sentence suspended and given credit for time served. She was assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fee. As part of her plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed: four Level 6 felonies for possession of methamphetamine, obstruction of justice, maintaining a common nuisance and unlawful possession of a syringe.

Tharl H. Pinkston II, 35, 511 W. McDonald St., Hartford City, pleaded guilty in Jay Circuit Court to possession of a narcotic drug, a Level 5 felony. He was sentenced to five years in Indiana Department of Correction. Pinkston was fined $1, assessed $189 in court costs and ordered to pay a $200 drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction and correction fee. As part of his plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed: a Level 4 felony for unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious, violent felon, two Level 5 felonies for possession of methamphetamine and possession of a narcotic drug, and two Level 6 felonies for maintaining a common nuisance and unlawful possession of a syringe.