Cloverdale man takes plea for 6-year sentence in dealing meth

Less than three months after being arrested with five others in a Putnam County drug bust, a 28-year-old Cloverdale man has admitted to two of the six felony counts filed against him.

Appearing before Putnam Circuit Court Judge Matt Headley Monday for a change-of-plea hearing, Clarence W. Gilmore pled guilty to dealing in methamphetamine, a Level 4 felony, and theft, a Level 6 felony.

All other charges against Gilmore in the February case -- two possession of meth charges, one additional dealing count and a dealing in a controlled substance (hydrocodone) charge -- were dismissed via terms of a plea agreement with the Putnam County Prosecutor's Office.

The defendant's admission of guilt and the plea agreement were both accepted by Judge Headley. The plea deal calls for Gilmore to be sentenced to six years in the Department of Correction, all executed.

Had Gilmore been convicted on all six felony counts, he could have been facing up to 38 years in prison.

The agreement also notes that Gilmore "shall provide a clean-up statement" to investigators regarding the co-defendants and further calls for him to testify at any hearings or trials relative to those cases.

Gilmore was arrested Feb. 17 following a reported two-month investigation by Indiana State Police and the Cloverdale Police Department.

Court records show that on Feb. 15, those police agencies joined the Avon Police Department in overseeing a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Gilmore and his mother, Alice Payne, 51.

Another controlled purchase of methaphetamine and prescription drugs on Feb. 17 resulted in their arrest.

Gilmore and his mother were both initially charged with dealing in methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. Gilmore was also held on two outstanding warrants for criminal mischief.

Alan Manning, 30, Spencer, and Courtney Michalik, 24, Cloverdale, were also arrested after being seen leaving Gilmore's apartment residence in Cloverdale. After a search of their vehicle revealed meth and prescription drugs, they were both charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.

A search of Payne and Gilmore's apartment later resulted in two more arrests as Andrea Tillberry, 23, and Wesley Garrison, 33, both of Cloverdale, were taken into custody.

They were both charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and visiting a common nuisance.

Gilmore, who was represented in his proceedings by court-appointed counsel Melinda Jackman-Hanlin, will be sentenced by Judge Headley at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 2.