KOSCIUSKO — A Wabash man was sentenced to nine years at the Indiana Department of Corrections in Kosciusko Circuit Court Monday, April 1. 

Travis Lee Harding, 35, 281 N. East St., Wabash, was found guilty of possession of methamphetamine, a level 3 felony, and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor. 

According to court documents, on June 19, 2018, an officer with the Claypool Police Department was traveling on CR 700S, when a tan SUV crossed the centerline and almost caused a collision with the officer’s vehicle. The officer conducted a traffic stop and identified all the occupants of the vehicle. Harding was a backseat passenger. While speaking with the occupants of the vehicle, the officer detected the odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.

While the occupants were exiting the vehicle, a syringe cap fell out of Harding’s shoe. Upon searching the vehicle, police discovered digital scales and a bag of methamphetamine.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Harding admitted the objects discovered were his. He further admitted to having a syringe in his shoe. Police removed the syringe and a container of methamphetamine from Harding’s shoe.

After Harding was transported to the Kosciusko County Jail, officers discovered a cut plastic straw, two plastic bags that contained methamphetamine and two empty plastic bags inside the police vehicle where Harding had been sitting. The total weight of the methamphetamine was 32.3 grams.

Harding told Judge Michael Reed today in court that he is ready to take the right steps and the right path. 

“It’s easier to do that in prison,” said Reed. “Your real test is yet to come.” 

Reed sentenced Harding to nine years at the IDOC for the possession of methamphetamine charge and 60 days at the Kosciusko County Jail for the possession of paraphernalia charge. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently. 

Reed recommended that Harding participate in the Recovery While Incarcerated Program while at IDOC. Reed suspended the last three years of the sentence and ordered that time to be served on formal probation. 

“Go to Indiana Department of Corrections and stay out of trouble, remain conduct clear and I’m willing to take a look at modifying the sentence,” Reed told Harding. 

Harding received 196 days of jail time credit. Pursuant to the plea agreement, two other charges were dismissed.