A Brown County man was sentenced to almost 20 years behind bars after he pleaded guilty to a Level 2 felony for dealing methamphetamine.
On Sept. 21, Judge Mary Wertz sentenced Christopher James, 37, of Plum Creek Road, to 17½ years for dealing meth.
James was arrested in July 2019 at his home on Plum Creek Road, where police reported finding more than 50 grams of meth, other narcotics and firearms. Officers had reason to suspect he was dealing methamphetamine, and a search warrant was issued for his home.
One of the handguns found had an obliterated serial number and another was found to be stolen out of Lanesville, Indiana, according to a probable cause affidavit that was filed around the time he was arrested.
The arrest was part of an investigation involving Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section along with a joint task force made up of ISP, the Brown County Sheriff’s Department and the prosecutor’s office, according to a press release from Prosecutor Ted Adams.
Judge Wertz ordered James to serve 12 years immediately in the Indiana Department of Correction.
“I am pleased with the results of our joint investigation on this matter. It was a pleasure to work with the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section along with our local investigators in making this significant bust,” Prosecutor Ted Adams said.
Adams was on scene of the arrest and assisted the task force.
“This is our largest bust for methamphetamine in a couple of years, and I believe our second-biggest bust for meth since I have been in office,” he said.
Adams added that the quantity of meth and almost a dozen firearms, including one with the missing serial number, was “disturbing.”
“Mr. James posed a significant threat in our community by trafficking a terrible narcotic to addicts, a narcotic that destroys other folks’ lives, livelihoods and leaves children without parents,” Adams said.
“I truly hope he takes advantage of the programming available at the Indiana Department of Corrections to reduce his chance of recidivism.”
James also has a pending Level 5 felony charge for carrying a handgun without a license, a Level 6 felony charge for possession of methamphetamine, and an operating a vehicle while intoxicated charge all pending in Hancock County.
Adams said those charges will be consecutive to the Brown County sentence.
“Those matters are allegations at this time, and Mr. James retains a presumption of innocence until, and unless, the state of Indiana proves those matters beyond a reasonable doubt,” he added.
Wertz ordered James immediately into custody.
Four other Brown County charges against James were dismissed when he pleaded guilty in June.
