Sterling Templeton

WARSAW — A plea hearing was held Thursday, Aug. 16, in the Kosciusko Circuit Court for a Warsaw man facing charges in six different cases. 

Sterling Ray Templeton, 37, 333 N. Park Ave., Warsaw, pleaded guilty to twelve charges. 

According to the affidavit of probable cause, in April 2016, police received information that Templeton, who had a valid arrest warrant for parole violation, was residing at a female’s residence. Police were told that Templeton arrived at the residence where a relative of the female was present with the female’s minor child. 

Templeton reportedly became angry that the female was not home with the child and took the child, telling the relative he was going to attempt to find the mother. Police were informed that Templeton left, stating he would be gone for 15 minutes but after 45 minutes had not returned. 

While police were attempting to locate Templeton, officers observed a vehicle enter the driveway. The female was the lone occupant of the vehicle. While police were talking to the female, she took a small clear plastic bag out of her purse and attempted to conceal the bag from officers. Police recognized the bag as a way to carry and transport narcotics. Police asked to examine the bag and found residue of methamphetamine.

Police were shown by the female where the remainder of the methamphetamine was located in the vehicle. Police found less than one gram. She also told police that Templeton stays at the home and has items inside.

While police were present, Templeton drove by the residence and was stopped by police. Inside his vehicle, they found four baggies containing methamphetamine and one baggie containing heroin, with a total weight of over 10 grams of methamphetamine. Waiving his rights, Templeton admitted to dealing/distributing the methamphetamine and selling 2 ounces of methamphetamine a week. He also admitted to being a member of the Aryan Brotherhood.

After obtaining a search warrant for the residence, police found 9 grams of meth in a pouch the female had removed from her purse. The pouch additionally contained syringes, spoons with burnt residue and miscellaneous methamphetamine items. They also found $500 cash.

In a bedroom, officers found a crystal-like substance that tested positive for methamphetamine, weighing over 1 gram. Police also found numerous digital scales, syringes, plastic bags and Aryan Brotherhood gang-related items. On the child’s bed, officers found a torch used for ingesting methamphetamine, syringes and other methamphetamine-related items within reach of the child. In the garage, police found two one-pot methamphetamine labs, precursors and a prescription bill bottle containing methamphetamine.

In F2-269, Templeton pleaded guilty to dealing in methamphetamine, a level 4 felony, and neglect of a dependent, a level 5 felony, with the sentencing on each count to be consecutive.

In F6-171, Templeton pleaded guilty to possession of a narcotic drug and possession of a syringe, both level 6 felonies, with sentencing on each count to be concurrent. 

In F6-224, Templeton pleaded guilty to possession of a narcotic drug and possession of a syringe, both level 6 felonies, with sentencing on each count to be concurrent.

In F6-455, Templeton pleaded guilty to possession of a narcotic drug and possession of a syringe, both level 6 felonies, with sentencing on each count to be concurrent.

In F6-713, Templeton pleaded guilty to resisting law enforcement, a level 6 felony; and driving while suspended, a class A misdemeanor. Sentencing on each count to be concurrent.

In F6-666, Templeton pleaded guilty to theft, a class  A misdemeanor; and counterfeiting, a level 6 felony, with the sentencing on each count to be served concurrently. 

It was agreed that the sentencing on each count is to be served concurrently, with the exception of F2-269 where the sentencing on each count will be consecutive. In addition, the sentencing in each case will be served consecutively, meaning one after another. 

Terms of the plea agreement include that the state has no objection to Templeton participating in a therapeutic community program offered by the Indiana Department of Corrections; all other charges will be dismissed; Templeton’s driver’s license will be suspended for a period of time at the discretion of the court; the state will dismiss case  F741; the cases are not to be considered as an episode of criminal conduct; Templeton and the state agree that the initial executed sentence will not exceed nine years; and Templeton will pay restitution to any and all victims and will reimburse Kosciusko County for attorney fees.

Plea acceptance and sentencing is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 4.