A 12-member jury returned verdicts of guilty in a one day trial held in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday.
Rodney Craft was charged with dealing in methamphetamine as a Level 2 Felony and possession of methamphetamine as a Level 4 Felony. A confidential informant testified that he got methamphetamine from Craft from Craft’s home in the North Judson area on February 8, 2024. The informant agreed to work with detectives with the Starke County Sheriff’s Office to set up the buy and he was able to identify Craft as the person from whom he got the methamphetamine.
The white crystal-like substance that was obtained by the informant was tested at the Indiana State Police Laboratory by Drug Unit Forensic Scientist Brandy Cline who testified that she conducted the testing that positively identified the drug as methamphetamine. The evidence weighed 27.94 grams at the time of testing.
Testimony from Starke County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Dave Combs and Charles Leonhardt explained the operation for which the confidential informant agreed to participate. Starke County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Jack Hudgens and Daniel Byrd also provided testimony in their roles as part of the operation.
The jury took about 30 minutes to return the guilty verdicts on the charges of dealing in methamphetamine as a Level 2 Felony and possession of methamphetamine as a Level 4 Felony.
Rodney Craft, who was not present for the trial proceedings, will be sentenced at a date to be determined. A warrant was issued by Starke Circuit Court for his arrest. Any information on his whereabouts can be called into the Starke County Sheriff’s Office hotline at 574-772-5958.
The State of Indiana was represented by Starke County Prosecuting Attorney Leslie Baker while Craft was represented by Defense Attorney Alex Hoover. Starke County Circuit Court Magistrate Micah Cox presided over the trial.
