A Milford man will serve 20 years in prison after an investigation connected him to the overdose death of Laini Roberts.
Jay Lynn Krauter, 55, Milford, pled guilty to dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death, a level 1 felony. Three additional criminal charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Krauter was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Thursday.
For dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death, Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed sentenced Krauter to 25 years in the Indiana Department of Correction, with 20 years executed and five years suspended on probation. He has 442 days of jail time credit.
Roberts' family was present for the sentencing, wearing matching T-shirts that said "Fentanyl Kills #JusticeforLaini" on the back. Roberts was 28 years old when she died.
During Krauter's sentencing, Roberts' mother and sister spoke about Laini and the loss they deal with daily because of Krauter.
"Mr. Krauter, I pray for strength to forgive you, not to help you, but for the opportunity for me to heal after having to bury my baby girl," said Michelle Kent, Laini's mother.
"She (Laini) wasn't perfect. She was my sister, the other half of my soul ... She taught me how to be a good mom. We both named our second daughter after each other, and she was never even able to meet her in person. Now she will never see me graduate college or see her nieces, nephews and her own children graduate from high school. Jay Krauter robbed me of my light ...," said Mariah, Laini's sister. "I hate you (Krauter) and it brings me peace knowing you will rot in prison."
Prosecutor Brad Voelz gave a statement about Laini and how addiction affects so many.
"Drug dealers are playing Russian Roulette with addicted people in our community, and drug users are spinning the chamber and putting a gun to their head every single time they use," said Voelz. "Addiction is a disease, and it is treatable. Recovery is possible. Here are some things all of us can, and each of us should, do to help. See the person, not the addiction. End the stigma. Start a conversation. Support those in recovery. Get involved through your church, through your work, through your local police departments, through the sheriff, through our recovery community and in your own families. Let's all work together. Let's make this stop."
"I understand you said in your letter to me that you participated in the death of a friend," Reed said. "Unfortunately, when drugs are involved, it is a loss for everyone, with Laini's family and friends suffering the ultimate loss."
Krauter issued an apology to the family, saying he was remorseful and sorry for causing Laini's death.
On Oct. 28. 2021, the Milford Police chief responded to a death investigation at a residence. When he arrived, he spoke with Laini's family, who found Laini dead in a bedroom. A relative found a bag containing white powder in the home and gave it to the police chief. The relative also gave access and consent to search Laini's phone.
In a follow-up interview, a family member mentioned how Laini had told them a friend named Jay was stopping by. A search warrant allowed Milford police to conduct a search of Krauter's home, where they found seven bags similar to the one given to the police chief, as well as four small bags with residue, syringes and pipes. These bags were later tested and the results came back positive for fentanyl.
On Dec. 3, 2021, a detective interviewed Krauter about the incident where he admitted to bringing heroin to Laini for them both to use and took money for the drugs on the night she died.