A Leesburg man who asked the judge to delay his sentencing due to his health got sent to prison for three years Monday.

Kyler Lee Northrup, 34, of 4839 N. CR 700E, Leesburg, and also showing an address of Garrett, was handed the three-year sentence by Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed Monday in two separate cases for dealing and possession of methamphetamine. An obstruction of justice charge and a possession of methamphetamine charge were dismissed as part of the plea agreements.

Northrup’s attorney, J. Seth Tipton, asked Reed to either continue Northrup’s sentencing date or sentence him to community corrections due to his ongoing health issues. Tipton said his client is missing one-fourth of his skull from a motorcycle accidents a few years ago and that Northrup is planning on having surgery to have a metal plate put in place. Tipton also told the judge his client’s right hand is unusable and the safety of his client, along with the liability on the Indiana Department of Corrections or Kosciusko County Jail, are both a high risk. Tipton called his client “medically fragile” and said his client wears a helmet nearly 24/7.

Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton said the state objects to Northrup’s request for a continuance and said it’s time for the defendant to have some type of accountability for his actions.

Reed denied Northrup’s request to continue the matter and told him, “It’s time to bite the bullet and do the time.”?

Northrup told Reed that while he may have a long criminal history, he also stayed out of trouble for a while too, before he “got strung out on drugs again and that’s what happened.”?

Reed disagreed with Northrup’s story that he’s stayed out of trouble and cited case after case since 2015.

Reed accepted the plea agreements and sentenced Northrup to 2-1/2 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections for dealing methamphetamine, a Level 5 felony, dismissing count II of possession of methamphetamine; and to six months in IDOC for possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony, dismissing court II of obstruction of justice, also a Level 6 felony.

Reed told Northrup the plea deal he got was very lenient for the circumstances. Reed also referred Northrup for participation in the Recovery While Incarcerated program, which aims to provide services for incarcerated individuals. Reed said Northrup can get the medical care he needs at the IDOC.

Family members at court for Northrup’s proceedings shouted at Reed after sentencing that Northrup will need to go to physical therapy and that he can’t even dress himself.

According to the probable cause affidavit, on July 26, 2018, Warsaw Police Department detectives made a controlled purchase for 4 grams of methamphetamine from Northrup and Tammy Northrup. Tammy Northrup is listed in court papers as being the alleged driver of the vehicle during the meth deal. A warrant is out for her arrest.

On Jan. 25, according to court papers, Kosciusko County Jail officers were conducting a search for contraband in cellblock L at the jail. Officers removed the inmates from the cellblock area and had them remove their clothing. Court papers state that officers observed a folded piece of paper fall from Kyler Northrup and hit the floor. When officers told Northrup not to touch it, he picked it up and shook out its contents, which ended up testing positive for methamphetamine.