***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 14, 2014

ELKHART MAN GETS 93 YEARS FOR DEALING COCAINE ACROSS THE STREET FROM YOUTH CLUB

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

This morning, Elkhart County Superior Court Three Judge George Biddlecome sentenced Jonathan McPherson to a total of 93 years in the Indiana Department of Correction for his convictions of two counts of dealing cocaine, a Class A felony; being a serious violent felon in possession of a handgun, a Class B felony; maintaining a common nuisance, a Class D felony; and being a habitual criminal offender. An Elkhart County jury found McPherson guilty as charged on all counts following a jury trial June 23 through June 25, 2014.

At the sentencing hearing held at the Elkhart County Jail, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Patrick Dowd noted in particular that McPherson chose to sell cocaine, with gun at hand, from another home where five children lived, rather than from his own residence. In addition to this aggravating circumstance, Judge Biddlecome highlighted McPherson’s extensive criminal history and the “criminal enterprise” represented by the multiple convictions for dealing cocaine. McPherson, who faced a maximum of 100 years in prison, indicated that he would appeal both the convictions and the sentence.

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