By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — A area man will serve two years in prison after a traffic stop resulted in the discovery of methamphetamine.

Peter Nicholas Devine, 41, Knox, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 5 felony. Dealing in methamphetamine, driving while suspended and failure to appear charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Devine was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Monday, July 20.

On Dec. 15, 2018, a Winona Lake police officer received a request to check on two people at A & A Auto Sales, Warsaw. The officer arrived and saw a man, later identified as Devine, enter a vehicle and drive away. According to court documents, the officer pulled the vehicle over after seeing Devine make an improper turn at an intersection.

Devine was exhibiting slurred speech when he was pulled over. Methamphetamine was discovered in the car.

During court proceedings, Defense Attorney Karin McGrath said Devine has had a “longstanding issue with drugs.”

“He’s just at a point where he’s done with this lifestyle,” said McGrath.

For possession of methamphetamine, Judge Michael Reed sentenced Devine to two years in the Indiana Department of Correction. The sentence will be served consecutively to a Fulton County narcotic drug dealing case and a Starke County drug possession case.

Reed also recommended Devine for immediate placement into the Recovery While Incarcerated program.