Michelle Stimmel

A Whitley County woman has been sentenced for numerous drug related charges.

According to a sentencing order provided by the Whitley County Prosecutor’s Office, Michelle A. Stimmel, of Kimmel, has been committed to the Whitley County Jail with assignment to work release for aiding in the manufacturing of methamphetamine, a level 5 felony; possession of a narcotic drug, a level 6 felony; possession of a synthetic drug, a class A misdemeanor; and possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor. Stimmel was sentenced to a total of four years with three years to serve and the balance of one year suspended and on probation.

Aggravating circumstances surrounding Stimmel’s charges include a prior criminal history as well as the fact a child was present at the time of events. Mitigating circumstances included that Stimmel has a dependent child. The court ordered Stimmel to pay court costs of $168 as well as a $200 drug countermeasure fee. Stimmel was given credit for six actual days served prior to the sentencing.

According to a case report from the Whitley County Drug Task Force, officers received an anonymous tip on May 22, 2014, that Jarod Hampton and Michelle Stimmel were possibly selling drugs in a house near Blue Lake boat launch. Additional tips were received regarding Drain-O purchases over the course of three weeks. Officers surveyed the residence for approximately two months where pseudo ephedrine purchases were monitored.

A search warrant was drafted for the residence, located at 6920 East Harrold Place. At approximately 2 p.m. July 24, 2014, the warrant was served and Stimmel and her daughter were located in the residence with Hampton arriving later. Stimmel denied any knowledge of criminal activity at the residence, even when confronted with evidence discovered within the home including heroin, synthetic cannabinoids, psychedelic mushrooms, meth, marijuana and various paraphernalia.

Stimmel and Hampton were transported and booked into the Whitley County Jail. Stimmel’s daughter was released into the custody of her grandfather.

Hampton allegedly admitted to making and using meth on a near daily basis, making synthetic marijuana and to possession of other items in the residence. Hampton stated that Stimmel had not assisted in the manufacturing of the meth, but had purchased ingredients with the knowledge they were used for meth manufacturing. Hampton also stated Stimmel was using meth, heroin and marijuana before learning that she was pregnant.

In her interview, Stimmel admitted to knowing marijuana and a pipe were in the residence and to the purchase of pseudophedrine. The report indicates that Stimmel struggled to keep her story straight regarding her knowledge of the synthetic cannabinoids during the interview.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed by the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office, on Aug. 14, the Warsaw Police Department received at drug tip involving Stimmel [See Stimmel Arrested On Corrupt Business Influence] and her father, Sam Stimmel, owner of Stimmelator’s Gentleman’s Club, who was arrested in 2013 for similar charges. [See Stimmel Now Charged With Four Felonies] Kyle Dehart, Jason Bontrager and other individuals were linked as distributors in the case.

According to court documents, Bontrager entered a guilty plea on Jan. 19, however he withdrew his plea on Monday. Bontrager will appear before a 12 person jury at 8:30 a.m. July 21, for an anticipated two day trial.

DeHart was arrested on March 6 for two counts of murder and one count of obstruction of justice in connection with the murder of two Syracuse residents. [See Further Details Released Surrounding Syracuse Murders]