Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A Warsaw man will serve 13 years in prison for dealing fentanyl to undercover officers.
Tyler James Hanish, 34, Warsaw, was sentenced for dealing fentanyl, a level 2 felony. Five additional criminal charges were all dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Hanish was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Friday, July 17.
Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Matthew Buehler sentenced Hanish to 17 years in the Indiana Department of Correction, with 13 years executed and four years suspended on probation. He recommended Hanish for placement in Recovery While Incarcerated. Hanish has 528 days, or about 1.4 years, of jail time credit, plus good time credit as calculated.
At sentencing, Defense Attorney Austin Rovenstine said it was "exceedingly rare" to find a person who isn't both a true drug dealer, and also a true drug addict. He told the court Hanish was selling drugs to support his family and pay bills.
"It's the only true rationalization an addict can make," said Rovenstine.
Rovenstine also said Hanish had been incarcerated long enough that he's made changes to better himself, working alongside a recovery coach. Letters from Kosciusko County Jail inmates about Hanish's character were also submitted to the court for review.
Prosecutor Brad Voelz described Hanish as a "volume fentanyl dealer" with a "calculated, ongoing operation." He said Hanish told police he would purchase about 30 grams of fentanyl a week, use 10 grams for himself, and then sell the remaining 20 grams at about $100 per gram.
"That's more than $100,000 in profit per year for dealing this poison," said Voelz. "I appreciate the advocacy and am glad that Tyler is finally seeing the light. But before he comes back to this community, there's a price to pay."
Hanish said since his incarceration, he's began his journey to recovery. He apologized for his actions and requested any type of recovery program to continue helping him focus on bettering himself.
Buehler said he was struck by a number of aspects in this case.
"Perhaps you have made a change, and I commend you for that," said Buehler. "But the good things that we do cannot erase the bad things we've done. You put fentanyl into this community for a year. Countless lives were affected ... that was a choice that you made."
Affidavit Of Probable Cause
In July 2024, the NET 43 Drug Task Force conducted a controlled purchase of 2.2 grams of fentanyl from Hanish. Within a 90-day timeframe, Hanish delivered 9.7 grams of fentanyl to an informant.
