Decatur Co. judge accepted prosecutor's recommendation
(GREENSBURG, Ind.) – A Decatur County man with a lengthy criminal history is going to prison for 15 years.
Jerry Merrill, Jr. pleaded guilty last month to methamphetamine possession and also admitted to being an habitual offender.
The plea agreement was for 15 years, with the judge given the opportunity to decide on how much time should be in prison, home detention, or probation.
Because of the Habitual Offender allegation, at least six of the years had to be in prison.
On Tuesday, defense attorneys argued for six years in prison and nine years of probation.
Prosecutor Nate Harter argued that Merrill should serve all 15 years in prison, with no probation, and be given access to the Recovery While Incarcerated (RWI) program.
The judge sided with the prosecution and Merrill was sentenced to fifteen years, all in prison, and allowed for the RWI program.
“Mr. Merrill carried controlled substances into our community, and I’m grateful for the police work by the Greensburg Police Department to intercept those drugs,” said Harter. “Because of Mr. Merrill’s longstanding addiction issues, he will have maximum accountability in prison to incentivize him to take treatment seriously.”
Harter added that Merrill’s criminal history include several meth-related charges.
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