***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 10, 2014

ELKHART JURY NOT BUYING WHAT FIELDS IS SELLING - FIND HIM GUILTY ON TWO COUNTS OF DEALING IN COCAINE

Media Contact: Curtis T. Hill, Jr. (574) 296-1888

On Tuesday, December 9, 2014 an Elkhart Circuit Court jury found Titus “Rick Dawg” Fields guilty of two counts of Dealing in 3 grams or more of Cocaine, both Class A felonies. The charges were brought after the Elkhart Police Department Drug Unit conducted an investigation into Fields. Utilizing a cooperating source (CS), officers conducted two individual controlled buys that took place on April 2, 2012, and April 12, 2012. During each controlled buy, under the direction and supervision of EPD officers, the CS purchased an “8 Ball,” the street name for approximately 3.5 grams of cocaine, from Titus Fields.

During the two day trial officers involved with the investigation testified regarding their roles during each controlled buy, whether that be working closely with the CS or conducting security and surveillance. The CS also took the stand and testified to the two deals, explaining that during each buy, an “8 ball” of cocaine was purchased from Titus Fields. The State further entered into evidence audio recordings which captured not only the two controlled buys themselves, but phone calls between Titus Fields and his family and friends where he admits to having sold cocaine to the CS on both occasions.

After a short deliberation, the jury found Titus Fields guilty on both counts. Sentencing is set to take place January 8, 2015, in the Elkhart Circuit Court. Fields is facing a potential sentence of 50 years incarceration. This case was tried by Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Don Pitzer and Michelle Weeks before Judge Terry Shewmaker.

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“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”