By SYDNEY KENT
A man from Bluffton who sold drugs from his work was ordered to spend the next 10 years in prison. However, it is likely that he will spend far more time behind bars due to other ongoing cases.
Devon James Schultz, 30, was sentenced to 10 years at the Indiana Department of Correction during his hearing in the Wells Circuit Court last week. Schultz received 430 days of jail credit towards his sentence.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Schultz was the subject of back-to-back undercover stings involving a “cooperating individual.”
According to the affidavit, the CI arranged to purchase both marijuana and 17 Suboxone pills in the designated smoking shed outside of Schultz’s workplace at 5:58 a.m. on Oct. 26, 2022. Schultz reportedly told the CI that he did not want to text about the deal as he did not want his wife to find out.
For this, Schultz was charged with one count of dealing in a Schedule III controlled substance, a Level 4 felony, which is punishable by up to 12 years in prison.
Four days later, Schultz reportedly met again with a CI in the bathroom of his work. He sold 17 Suboxone pills and six Adderall pills to the CI for $300.
Schultz was charged with one count of dealing in a Schedule III controlled substance, a Level 4 felony, and dealing in a Schedule II controlled substance, a Level 5 felony. If found convicted, Schultz could face up to 18 years in prison on the additional charges. However, both counts were dismissed pursuant to the plea agreement.
The court ultimately recommended that Schultz be evaluated for a clinically appropriate substance abuse program. Completion of the program, however, would not result in less time in prison.
The court ordered Schultz’s sentence be served consecutively to a pending case in Blackford County also from October 2022. Schultz was charged with dealing in methamphetamine of 10 or more grams, a Level 2 felony, possession of methamphetamine, a Level 4 felony, unlawful possession of a syringe, a Level 6 felony, and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.
Schultz faces up to an additional 45 years in prison if convicted on all four charges in this case.
sydney@news-banner.com
