KOSCIUSKO — A Mentone man was given the opportunity to serve a majority of his sentence through work release or community corrections after being sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court Monday, Dec. 10, in two drug-related cases.

In the first case, Paul Sheldon Brandon, 43, 2436 S. CR 775W, Mentone, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor. Brandon was charged with possession of a narcotic drug, a level 6 felony, in a second case.

On Dec. 22, 2017, an Indiana State Police officer observed a vehicle pull into a driveway. While speaking with Brandon, the officer noticed he had bloodshot eyes and that he was moving erratically. Officers discovered a glass pipe containing a white powdery substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.

On Feb. 22, an officer with the Mentone Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Brandon’s vehicle since there was an active warrant for his arrest. While arresting Brandon, officers discovered a plastic bag in Brandon’s pocket that contained a brown rocklike substance. The substance tested positive for heroin.

Defense Attorney Scott Lennox said that Brandon is working on his sobriety and recommended work release.

Brandon mentioned that he has a new job lined up and is looking forward to the opportunity.

In the December 2017 case, Judge Michael Reed sentenced Brandon to one year and 60 days in the Kosciusko County Jail. In the February case, Reed sentenced Brandon to one year in the Kosciusko County Jail. Brandon has 32 days of jail time credit in the second case. Reed suspended all but six months of Brandon’s sentence, having no objection to Brandon serving his sentence through work release or community corrections.