In a case unrelated to the Michigan Street search warrant, Johnny Paul Whitt Jr, 53, of Plymouth, was arrested on January 24, on a warrant previously ordered sealed by Judge Robert O. Bowen of Marshall Superior Court I.
In now unsealed court documents, Det. Sgt. Jonathan Bryant alleges in the affidavit of probable cause that on November 15, 2023, Whitt sold to a confidential informant 27.9 grams of suspected methamphetamine for the sum of $240. Accordingly, the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office filed against Whitt one count of Dealing in Methamphetamine as a Level 2 felony.
Prosecuting Attorney Nelson Chipman explained that by alleging the weight of the suspected methamphetamine was at least 10 grams, the charge is elevated to a Level 2 felony, punishable by a term of imprisonment of between 10 to 30 years, with the advisory sentence set at 17 ½ years imprisonment. Chipman further noted Whitt is presently being held in the Marshall County Jail with a bond set at $25,000 cash. Whitt’s initial hearing should be held next week.
Chipman noted with gratitude the coordination between departments and the initiative of Detective Bryant in effectuating the arrest of both Whitt and the five people on South Michigan St. all on the same day.
Readers are reminded that criminal charges are mere allegations and that the person so charged is presumed innocent of the allegations unless or until proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.
