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Two witnesses testified during the first day of a two-day jury trial for a Warsaw man accused of dealing drugs to undercover officers.
Shane Allen Ketcham, 30, Warsaw, is charged with dealing methamphetamine, a level 2 felony; dealing methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine, both level 4 felonies; and possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony.
Ketcham is being represented by Brian Pyle, Warsaw. The state's case is being presented by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Grossnickle.
In Indiana, a level 2 felony is punishable by 10 to 30 years in prison, with an advisory sentence of 17-1/2 years.
Affidavit Of Probable Cause
In September 2025, the Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET 43) purchased a total of 16.7 grams of meth from Ketcham. A total of two purchases were captured on digital surveillance, with both purchases taking place in Syracuse.
Trial Proceedings
Two men and 11 women were seated on the jury in Kosciusko Circuit Court around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday with Judge Matthew Buehler presiding.
In his opening statement to the jury, Grossnickle said the evidence in the case would "reveal a straightforward reality" about Ketcham "running a drug dealing business in Kosciusko County." He detailed what the state intended to present to the jury, including testimony from DTF members on the process of setting up purchases with Ketcham.
Pyle reminded the jury it was the state's responsibility to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Ketcham committed these crimes, noting that's "a high standard." He asked the jury to pay very close attention to the evidence.
The state's first witness was the confidential informant DTF used to allegedly purchase drugs from Ketcham. In her testimony, the informant said she assisted Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office Det. Sgt. Shane Bucher by making two purchases of meth from Ketcham in September 2025. Prior to and after each purchase, the informant and her vehicle were searched for any illegal contraband or money. DTF provided the informant with documented task force funds for each of the purchases and also used audio and video recordings during the purchases.
For the first purchase, the informant received $100 from DTF and used that money to purchase meth from Ketcham. In that transaction, Ketcham came up to the informant's vehicle and exchanged drugs for money. All of the drugs purchased from Ketcham by the informant were turned over to law enforcement.
The informant said she currently has a pending criminal case for allegedly dealing fentanyl and that DTF made no promises to her for her involvement in the purchases.
In cross-examination, Pyle asked the informant how she got involved with DTF. The informant stated DTF showed up at her residence, arrested her for her pending case, and asked about her getting involved as an informant. She testified that she didn't participate out of the goodness of her heart and that "there is nothing good about this situation."
Bucher was the state's second witness, providing corroborating statements to the informant's testimony. He said he was assigned to another drug-related case involving the informant, who has worked with DTF on two other drug cases. Bucher stated the informant contacted him about purchasing drugs from Ketcham on two separate occasions and that both incidents were controlled drug buys monitored by DTF.
In the first incident, DTF provided the informant with $100, which was used to purchase 3.5 grams of meth from Ketcham. For the second buy, DTF gave the informant $250, with Ketcham allegedly providing 14 grams of meth. Videos of the drug buys were played for the jury. The first video showed the informant driving to Ketcham's location, with Ketcham approaching her vehicle and his face visible. The second video showed the informant walking to a residence and interacting with an individual, but the video did not show that person's face. In a post-buy interview for the second incident, the informant told police she purchased drugs from Ketcham.
A conversation between Ketcham and Bucher while Ketcham was being driven to the Kosciusko County Jail for the warrant in this case was played for the jury. The warrant was served in January 2026. In the recording, Ketcham talked about his and other individuals' drug use and dealings, while mentioning the informant had purchased drugs from him two days prior and that he heard the informant was working with NET 43.
The case will continue at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, with Pyle to cross-examine Bucher.
