By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Corey M. Dains

WARSAW — A South Bend man will serve nine years in prison for three criminal cases.

In the first case, Corey M. Dains, 38, South Bend, was charged with dealing a narcotic drug and carrying a handgun without a license with a prior conviction, both level 5 felonies; and resisting law enforcement, a level 6 felony. He was also charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 4 felony; and carrying a handgun without a license with a prior conviction, a level 5 felony, in a second case. In a third case, Dains was charged with dealing methamphetamine, a level 4 felony; resisting law enforcement, a level 6 felony; and operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a class C misdemeanor. Eighteen additional criminal charges were all dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Dains was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Monday, May 16.

On Dec. 4, 2020, a Milford Police officer saw a motorcycle traveling on SR 15 faster than the posted speed limit. When the officer attempted to pull the motorcycle over, the driver began speeding away.

According to court documents, during the pursuit, the motorcyclist disregarded traffic signals and other motorists while speeding. When the driver attempted to make a turn onto Cedar Road, he crashed. The driver, later identified as Dains, attempted to flee on foot but was detained by the officer.

While searching Dains’ person, officers found five pills identified as a narcotic drug, several packs of small plastic bags, and a semi-automatic handgun with a loaded magazine.

Dains was previously convicted of carrying a handgun without a license in Elkhart County in February 2020.

On Feb. 2, 2021, an officer with the NET43 Drug Task Force was in the area of Huntington Street and SR 13 in North Webster when he noticed a vehicle disregard a traffic light. The officer attempted to pull the vehicle over but the driver did not stop until parking at a local business.

The driver, identified as Dains, appeared extremely nervous during the traffic stop. Dains told the officer he had methamphetamine inside the vehicle and a handgun for his protection.

While searching the vehicle, officers found a plastic bag containing 12 grams of methamphetamine. A handgun was also found on the passenger seat.

On Sept. 8, 2021, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy noticed a motorcycle traveling north on Detroit Street. Its driver appeared to hide his face from the deputy as he drove by. The deputy noticed the motorcycle’s license plate was obstructed and attempted to pull the driver over.

The motorcyclist then sped up, disregarded two stop signs and drove erratically. While on Anchorage Road, the motorcyclist hit a vehicle. The driver, identified as Dains, then stood up and continued to flee on foot before falling to the ground. While speaking with law enforcement, Dains appeared to be in an animated or intensified state.

During a search of a backpack Dains had with him while on the motorcycle, officers found two bags of methamphetamine, which weighed a total of 12.3 grams. While being taken by medics to a Fort Wayne hospital for injuries sustained in the crash, Dains told medical personnel that he had used methamphetamine a couple hours prior to the accident.

In court, Defense Attorney Jay Rigdon said Dains’ cases stemmed from a continual substance problem and fear.

“He recognizes that he has to take responsibility and pay for his crimes,” said Rigdon. “He has remorse and a desire to head down a different path.”

“This is sad,” said Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed about the cases. “You put other people in danger, twice. This sentence is for your criminal conduct, not for being an addict.”

For dealing in a narcotic drug and carrying a handgun without a license with a prior conviction, Judge Reed sentenced Dains to two years in the Indiana Department of Correction on each count. He also received a one-year DoC sentence for resisting law enforcement. All three of the counts will be served concurrently, or at the same time. In this case, Dains has 249 days of jail time credit, plus good time credit as calculated. His driver’s license was also suspended for one year. Milford Police Department will dispose of the firearm seized in this incident.

In the second case, for possession of methamphetamine, Dains received a four-year DoC sentence. He also received a one-year DoC sentence for carrying a handgun without a license with a prior conviction. Both counts will be served concurrently. In this case, Dains has 44 days of jail time credit, plus good time credit as calculated. The firearm in this case will be disposed of by NET43.

In the third case, for dealing methamphetamine, Judge Reed sentenced Dains to four years in DoC. Dains also received a one-year sentence in DoC for resisting law enforcement and two months in the Kosciusko County Jail for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. All three counts will be served concurrently. The final year of the sentence in this case was suspended on probation. Dains’ driver’s license was also suspended for one year and two months.

All three of the cases Dains was sentenced on will be served consecutively.

In total, Dains will serve nine years in prison and one year on probation. His driver’s license is suspended for two years and two months upon his release from incarceration. Dains has a total of 293 days of jail time credit.

Dains was also recommended for Recovery While Incarcerated during his prison sentence.