Today, Aaron W. Egger, 42, was sentenced following jury verdicts on two counts of Level 4 Felony Dealing in Methamphetamine. Honorable Robert O. Bowen presided over the trial and sentencing in the Marshall Superior Court No. 1. Nappanee attorney, Alexander Hoover, represented Egger during the jury trial on March 2, 2021, and presented arguments during sentencing. Marshall County Deputy Prosecutor Matt Sarber, presented the State’s case at both stages. The jury trial spanned two days in March, just a day after the Indiana Supreme Court permitted jury trials to resume after covid-19 restrictions were lifted.
The State’s case was based on investigations by the Marshall County Undercover Narcotics Investigation Team (UNIT). Mr. Egger was known to the UNIT from prior criminal history and involvement in drug trafficking. Sarber detailed the evidence to the jury in the form of investigative videos, audio recordings, photographs, documented monies, photo lineup that included Egger, testimony of the officers and cooperating sources, and of course methamphetamine dealt by Egger. Following a brief deliberation, the jury returned guilty verdicts on both charged offenses of Dealing in Methamphetamine. In addition to the dealing offenses, Egger was determined to be a Habitual Offender enhancement based on prior felony convictions including Burglary and a meth related felony.
At sentencing, Egger testified he was friends with the people he sold meth to and that he knew they were struggling with addiction. In addition he indicatedprofiting from the sales was his motivation. Egger noted the tragedy of his actions when he wrote to the Court: “I am the best when locked up and that is sad.” Deputy Prosecutor Matt Sarber argued the callous nature of Egger’s actions and his overwhelming criminal history. Sarber noted Egger accrued 14 felony and 6 misdemeanor sentences, and he has escaped two prior Habitual Offender adjudications in other jurisdictions. Egger’s numerous past probation and community corrections violations were noted by Judge Bowen as well. Sarber stated in the sentencing, “Every less restrictive means of reform in the criminal justice system have been attempted on Mr. Egger; and he has failed, neglected, or refused to reform his behavior.” Judge Bowen ultimately sentenced Egger to a total of 25 years in the Department of Corrections.
Sarber provided the following comment related to the convictions and sentence: “Destruction of life due to drug addiction – methamphetamine in this case – is tragic. One of our roles prosecuting these cases in Marshall County is to safe guard the community from people who seek to profit from and fuel the addiction of others. Mr. Egger demonstrated on numerous occasions he was one of those people – someone willing to profit from his friend’s addiction. Fortunately, our UNIT was able to investigate and halt Egger from destroying more lives”
