May 16, 2013
05/17/13 Scott Michael Weaver, 27, of 7th Road, Plymouth, was sentenced Thursday to 12 years imprisonment in the Indiana Department of Corrections by Judge Robert O. Bowen of Marshall Superior Court No. 1, for the crime of dealing in methamphetamine.
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Nelson Chipman argued for the maximum sentence permitted under a previously negotiated agreement to plead guilty, emphasizing the seriousness of the offense and Weaver’s prior record. Defense attorney Joseph Simanski argued for an extended suspended sentence. Judge Bowen handed down the maximum sentence of 12 years imprisonment.
Under questioning from Chipman, Weaver admitted he sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant on January 23, 2012. The sale took place in a parking lot in LaPaz, In. The case started when the confidential informant contacted an undercover officer from the Marshall County narcotics investigation team stating Weaver had offered to sell methamphetamine and anhydrous ammonia to the informant. Weaver agreed to sell one gram of methamphetamine and the buy was arranged. The informant was equipped with an audio and video recorder, and an Indiana State Police officer staked out the parking lot to insure the informant’s safety. The sale took place at 12:58 p.m.
Weaver also admitted on the witness stand that he began manufacturing methamphetamine several years ago and was addicted to the substance. Weaver has five prior drug related convictions. At 27 years of age, Chipman noted that Weaver had been sentenced to more years in jail than years of being an adult.
The Prosecutor’s Office commends the excellent police work of the Marshall County Undercover Narcotics Investigation Team, and the assistance of Indiana State Police Officer Keith Bikowski in arranging the controlled buy and acquiring such convincing evidence a trial was not necessary.