By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — A Warsaw man was sentenced to prison following a change of plea hearing Monday, Oct. 19.
Jeffrey Daniel Rozanowski
Jeffrey Daniel Rozanowski, 42, 837 S. Oak Brook Place, Warsaw, pled guilty to charges in two separate cases. In the first case, Rozanowski pled guilty to possession of methamphetamine, a level 4 felony. In the second case, Rozanowski pled guilty to possession of methamphetamine, a level 5 felony.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, in January, a vehicle with three male occupants was pulled over for an expired license plate. Rozanowski was identified as the driver of the vehicle.
After the occupants were removed from the vehicle, an search was performed prior to the arrival of the tow truck. Under the driver’s seat, police found a glass smoking device with a white residue that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
The occupants of the vehicle were searched and Rozanowski was found to be in possession of 6.2 grams of methamphetamine.
On Feb. 25, a vehicle was pulled over due to being operated without the headlights activated.
It was determined that Rozanowski’s license was suspended at that time. An outer air search was performed around the vehicle by a K-9 officer, with a positive alert to the presence of drugs.
A search of the vehicle revealed a glass smoking device and a small clear plastic bag containing a white crystalline substance between the passenger seat and the center console. A digital scale was found in the front passenger door pocket. Behind the center console, partially underneath the back seat, a rubber tube with glass ends that contained a burnt substance and white residue was found. Underneath the front passenger seat, a pouch was found. Inside the pouch, police found a metal cleanout tool, a glass smoking device containing white residue, four empty baggies and a large bag containing a white, crystalline substance.
The officer recognized the items to be associated with the use and dealing of illegal drugs and the white crystalline substance to be methamphetamine.
Rozanowski admitted that everything in the vehicle belonged to him.
In court Monday, Rozanowski’s attorney, Jay Rigdon, said the six-year sentence laid out in the plea agreement seemed significant in light of Rozanowski’s minor criminal history.
Judge Michael Reed said he would consider a sentence modification in the future but made it clear that Rozanowski would need to prove that he’s serious about making changes and dealing with his addiction.
“Everyone tells me what you’re telling me,” Reed said.
Rozanowski was sentenced to three years at the Indiana Department of Corrections in the first case. In the second case, Reed sentenced Rozanowski to four years at IDOC, with the final year suspended and ordered to be served on formal probation. The two sentences were ordered to be served consecutively.
Reed ordered Rozanowski to complete a substance abuse evaluation and to participate in the Recovery While Incarcerated program.
“Get down there and get through the program,” Reed said. “Show me that you’re serious about tackling your problem.”
Reed stated that if Rozanowski successfully completes the RWI program and remains drug-free and conduct-clear while in prison, he will consider suspending a portion of the sentence.
Additional charges were dismissed pursuant to the plea agreement.