Man sentenced to 20 years in drug case

Friday, August 11, 2006

A southern Indiana man who pleaded guilty in Putnam County last month to dealing in methamphetamines learned his future this week.

Sean P. Killion, 33, of Plainville in Daviess County, was sentenced Thursday to serve 10 years in prison after pleading guilty in July to a B felony count of dealing.

Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter said that Killion was given an additional 10 years for violating probation on a drug charge in Daviess County.

"He received a total of 20 years in prison," Bookwalter said after Killion's sentencing hearing in Circuit Court Judge Matthew Headley's courtroom Thursday morning.

His sentence could be reduced to five years for good behavior, Bookwalter added.

Killion and another man, 20-year-old Alva L. Yoder, also from Daviess County, were pulled over in January by Cloverdale Assistant Police Chief Tim Walker for a broken taillight on Killion's vehicle.

Yoder, who police say was armed with a high-powered BB gun, was observed by police officers throwing objects from the vehicle as it slowed down for the late-night traffic stop near the intersection of U.S. 231 and State Road 42.

Yoder was released on probation two months ago and given community service, Cloverdale Police Chief Charlie Hallam told the BannerGraphic.

Police officers found approximately 90 grams of methamphetamine, with a street value of $10,000, in Killion's possession the night of the traffic stop. They believe approximately 30 grams of it was for personal use.

As for the remaining 60 grams, Hallam said his officers were not able to determine who the intended recipient was, although they were concerned that the men might be dealing in the Cloverdale area.

Something that surprised police officers that night, Hallam pointed out, was the fact that Yoder is a member of the Amish faith.

"That incident just really woke us up about our area down here," Hallam said. "It just really goes to show that the meth problem is here."

Hallam said he is learning that drugs are starting to creep into the Amish community, affecting mostly youth who are experimenting with life outside the faith.

"It's just amazing that they are dealing with the same problems we are," he said.

Putnam County does not have a significant population of Amish, however, nearby Owen County is home to several.

Hallam reacted to Killion's sentence after learning about it Thursday afternoon.

"That's a pretty stiff sentence, but hopefully it sends a message to others," he said.

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