A Medaryville man will spend the next 40 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections after receiving his sentence in Marshall County Superior Court 1 Wednesday, April 21. James Miller, 55, was found guilty in a two-day trial in March on charges of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, and possession of methamphetamine.
Miller was a passenger in a speeding car when a Bremen Police officer initiated a traffic stop in January 2019. Methamphetamine weighing about four pounds was reportedly found during a search of the car. It was determined to be between Miller’s feet, according to information provided by the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office. Court documents indicate that he was going to deliver the product to a person for cash and a half-ounce of methamphetamine as payment.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Robert O. Bowen reviewed Miller’s aggravating and mitigating circumstances. Marshall County Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tami Napier argued that Miller’s extensive criminal history dates back to 1980 and involves numerous felony convictions in several counties in Indiana and a few in Michigan. Defense Attorney Alex Hoover argued that substance abuse has been a contributing factor in Miller’s criminal history.
In the end, Judge Bowen sentenced Miller to 30 years on the Level 2 Felony charge of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, and 16 years on the Level 3 Felony charge of possession of methamphetamine. Those sentences will be served concurrently, or at the same time. Bowen additionally sentenced Miller to 10 years on a habitual offender sentencing enhancement which will be served consecutively, or directly after time served on the other charges.
Napier said, “The amount of methamphetamine in this case was shocking. This case reveals how important traffic law enforcement is in Marshall County. But for Sgt. Stouder making that routine traffic stop, Miller would’ve delivered this poison throughout Indiana. The sentence imposed by Judge Bowen reflects the seriousness of the offense.”
