Joshua Lee Stacy

WARSAW — “Mr. Stacy, were you just a user, I would have more sympathy in your situation. But, you’re a dealer. I have less sympathy.” stated Kosciusko Superior Court 1 Judge David Cates Wednesday morning after accepting a plea agreement in the case of Joshua Lee Stacy. Cates was appointed special judge in the matter.

Stacy, 30, 134 S. Etna Street, Etna Green, appeared in court for acceptance of a plea agreement and sentencing on original charges of dealing in methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine and possession of chemical reagents or precursors with intent to manufacture a controlled substance. Stacy was arrested almost two years ago by the county drug task force and Warsaw Police after locating an active meth lab in the Etna Green Mobile Home Park.

Cates accepted the plea agreement: dealing methamphetamine, a class B felony, a lessor charge than the original, which was a class A felony; and a Superior Court 2 case of battery, causing bodily injury. Stacy was sentenced to 10 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections, four years suspended to be served on probation, and 60 days in jail on the battery charge. These sentences are to run consecutivly with the sentence handed down in Marshall County Wednesday.

Stacy was sentenced in Marshall county to possession of methamphetamine and possession of chemical reagents or precursors with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, both level 6 felonies. According to information provided to the courts by probation, he received consecutive suspended sentences, 24 months and 18 months. Charges of dealing methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a syringe were dismissed in Marshall County.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Christanne Hampton stated Stacy’s pre-sentence investigation report showed a history of substance abuse. She recommended he receive the maximum allowed.

Scott Lennox, attorney for Stacy, asked the court to include therapy for drug use in the sentence.

Cates initially gave Stacy 291 days jail time credit, but reduced that to 231 days, using 60 of those days as time served on the Superior Court 2 case. The judge addressed the PSI notation about his incarceration being a hardship because of paying child support, but stated the hardship was something caused by him. Cates referred to the $25,000 owed in back child support. He also noted three prior felony convictions on drug charges. “You have a substantial drug history. You’re a dealer, you’re getting other people involved.”

Stacy had entered a plea agreement on Sept. 3 and was originally arrested on Oct. 16.

Related: Tip Leads To Etna Green Meth Lab