HANOVER MAN SENTENCED TO 20 ½ YEARS ON METH DEALING AND CRIMINAL CONFINEMENT CONVICTIONS

He had a previous drug conviction

Jefferson County, Indiana (May 3, 2023) – A Hanover man was convicted on charges of Dealing in Methamphetamine and Criminal Confinement in the Jefferson Circuit Court on Wednesday. Howard Casey Axl Pike was sentenced to a combined 20 ½ years consecutive to a violation of his probation on a previous conviction of possession of methamphetamine from 2019.

On August 11, 2022, Pike was stopped by Deputy Logan Gray with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Gray observed Pike in the vehicle and was aware that Pike had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. A K9 alerted the presence of drugs in the vehicle and during a subsequent search of the vehicle officers located approximately 130 grams of methamphetamine and a 9mm handgun. During an interview at the Sheriff’s Office, Pike admitted to travelling to Louisville to purchase methamphetamine and admitted that he had been actively selling controlled substances in Jefferson County, Indiana.

On August 14, 2022, Deputy Devlin McMindes with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spoke with an individual who reported that he was involved in an incident with Pike on August 11, 2022, prior to Pike being stopped by law enforcement. The individual stated that Pike and another male had confined him in a vehicle against his will and drove him to Austin, Indiana where they demanded him to withdraw money.

“This arrest took a significant methamphetamine dealer off the streets of Jefferson County. I appreciate the hard work of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and their commitment to investigation drug and violent crime in our community,” said Prosecutor Sutter.

Following the revocation of his previous probation, Pike will serve 16 ½ years in the Indiana Department of Correction, followed by 4 years on community corrections or probation.

Prosecutor Sutter further stated, “Methamphetamine and other illegal drugs continue to be a problem in our community. My office is committed to continuing our efforts to stop the devastating impact, one case at a time.”