Rodney Craft, 52, was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court Monday, February 10 after a jury found him guilty in November of dealing in methamphetamine as a Level 2 Felony and possession of methamphetamine as a Level 4 Felony.
During the trial, 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.
The jury took less than 30 minutes to return guilty verdicts.
Starke Circuit Court Magistrate Micah Cox agreed to vacate the possession of methamphetamine charge under the double jeopardy clause of the Constitution. As it was explained in court, when a defendant is convicted on a drug dealing charge that defendant cannot be convicted of the underlying possession charge.
Starke County Prosecuting Attorney Leslie Baker pointed to aggravating factors, or factors working against Craft, in her argument that the Magistrate impose the maximum sentence of 30 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections on a Level 2 Felony charge. She stated that Craft has an extensive criminal history, an extensive history of drug abuse, a history of failing to appear for court hearings, a history of violating community-based programming such as probation or home detention, and he is a danger to society. In his pre-sentence investigation report, it stated that he is a high risk to re-offend which was another aggravating factor.
Alex Hoover, Craft’s defense attorney, questioned Craft while under oath. Craft stated that his drug abuse started when he was 15 and for the past 20 years he has used methamphetamine extensively which has been the catalyst of his extensive criminal history. He stated that was unable to get the intensive recovery treatment while previously incarcerated in the DOC and asked to be allowed to take programming to seek help while serving this sentence.
A witness testified who asked for mercy of the court when it came to his sentence.
Craft presented an emotional plea to the court for leniency and mercy, stating that methamphetamine addiction is the hardest to overcome as the drug is readily available and the cost is practical.
The court entered a judgment of conviction on the Level 2 Felony charge of dealing in methamphetamine.
Magistrate Cox took into consideration all of aggravating factors and a mitigating factor that this particular incident for which he was convicted was not a violent crime. A Level 2 Felony carries a sentence of 10 to 30 years with an advisory sentence of 17.5 years. Magistrate Cox imposed an advisory sentence of 17.5 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections with the recommendation for Craft to participate in the Recovery while Incarcerated program while serving his sentence. Upon the successful completion of the program, Craft may petition the court for the consideration of a modification of his sentence, but he will still have to serve at least 10 years of his sentence before any modifications would be in effect, if granted by the court. He was also ordered to pay court costs and a drug interdiction fee of $250.
Craft indicated that he would appeal the sentence and Cox agreed to appoint him an appellate attorney to help him in that effort.
