Feds award Indiana $1.2M for opioid response in rural areas
A federal agency has awarded Indiana $1.2 million to further the state’s efforts to fight the opioid epidemic in rural areas.
Drugs
Articles
ACLU report highlights Indiana’s prison problem
While acknowledging Indiana’s efforts to reform its criminal justice system has slowed the growth of the state’s prison population, a new report by the ACLU of Indiana asserts that additional reforms, including expanded access to treatment for mental health and substance abuse, could reduce the number of incarcerated by 50 percent and save Hoosier taxpayers more than $541 million by 2025.
COA tosses convictions on new charges introduced at trial
A split Indiana Court of Appeals reversed four counts of a woman’s conviction, finding the trial court abused its discretion in allowing the state to amend the charging information without giving the defendant a “reasonable opportunity” to prepare and defend against the new counts.
Former Munster doctor sentenced for overprescribing painkillers
A former northwestern Indiana doctor who pleaded guilty to overprescribing painkillers has been sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. Jay Joshi, formerly a general practice physician in Munster, also was ordered to pay a $7,500 fine after pleading guilty last year to dispensing hydrocodone outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.
Split COA grants new trial to defendant denied pro se request
A split Indiana Court of Appeals has granted a new trial to a man who was convicted after he was refused his right to represent himself in his criminal case. The majority found the defendant timely filed and was unjustly denied his pro se request.
7th Circuit upholds drug dealer’s career criminal ruling
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a determination that man convicted for drug-related offenses was a career offender under § 4B1.1 of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and that a corresponding enhancement was appropriately applied to his sentence, rejecting his interpretation of the statute.
Man gets 63 years in prison for deadly cellphone cord attack
A New Castle man has been sentenced to 63 years in prison for using a cellphone cord to choke an acquaintance who died about eight months after the attack.
Justices grant transfer in 2 fixed-sentence modification cases
The Indiana Supreme Court has agreed to hear argument in two cases with similar scenarios concerning the trial court’s ability to modify fixed-sentence plea agreements.
‘Reliability of exhibits’ overcomes challenge to probation revocation
The revocation of a Madison County man’s probation was upheld after the Indiana Court of Appeals found the evidence presented to the trial court of his continued drug activity met the test for reliability.
Justices hear probable cause questions in case of $60K seized cash
Questions of whether probable cause existed for law enforcement to seize more than $60,000 in cash from a FedEx package were heard before the Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday, with an attorney for the state urging justices to overturn recent precedent to allow the seizure.
Public was not barred from man’s trial, COA rules
A man who argued the public was barred from his trial was denied an appeal of his drug-related convictions Thursday after an appellate panel confirmed that his Sixth Amendment right to a public trial was not violated.
Despite snoozing juror, meth, theft convictions affirmed
Convictions for a man who attempted to make meth were upheld by an Indiana Court of Appeals panel Wednesday after it concluded no abuse of discretion occurred when a sleeping juror in his case was replaced, and that his argument for a new trial was waived.
Inmate dies after being found unresponsive in jail cell
A 42-year-old inmate has died after being found unresponsive in his northern Indiana jail cell.
Drug evidence found in locked safe properly admitted, COA rules
A man’s convictions of possessing meth and a syringe were upheld Monday when an appellate panel affirmed no abuse of discretion occurred when evidence discovered inside a locked safe in his car were admitted at trial.
COA rules weapons search that revealed drugs constitutional
An Allen County drug possession trial will proceed with evidence obtained from a pat-down search after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined the search was constitutional.
Canadian man facing drug charges seeks passport’s return
A Canadian man who allegedly had 127 pounds of cocaine hidden inside his vehicle wants northwestern Indiana authorities to return his passport. A Porter County judge ordered Hobart police Monday to return all of Denis Mesumb’s belongings, except for his Canadian passport, and set a Wednesday hearing to consider its release.
Princeton officer faces misconduct charge after drugs allegedly tossed
Authorities say a southwestern Indiana police officer allowed a drug trafficking suspect to discard a bag of heroin before being taken to a police station. Illinois State Police say 28-year-old Princeton Officer Brandt George is free on bond after being charged with official misconduct.
CHINS adjudication reversed for mom who tested clean
A mother whose kids were found to be children in need of services despite her successful efforts to stay sober and get the help she needed found favor with an appellate panel Monday, who reversed the CHINS adjudication on the basis of insufficient evidence.
7th Circuit reverses unwarranted gun sentence enhancement
The fact that drugs and guns were in the same place at the same time wasn’t enough to prove a man should have received a sentence enhancement for his convictions, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled, finding no connection between his felony cocaine possession and firearms.
Lawsuit: St. Joseph County sheriff’s office negligent in inmate death
A federal lawsuit accuses a northern Indiana sheriff’s department of negligence after an inmate who allegedly was suffering from drug withdrawal symptoms killed himself.