DECATUR COUNTY, IN — A Laurel woman was sentenced Wednesday in Decatur Superior Court after pleading guilty in late March to Dealing in Methamphetamine (Level 2 felony).
Based on a plea agreement, Traci Lynn Minniear was sentenced by Judge Matthew Bailey to 10 years, eight of which will be served in prison while the remaining two years will be served on home detention.
Judge Bailey also permitted Minniear to participate in the Recovery While Incarcerated program during her time in prison.
According to court records, the case began during a traffic stop by Greensburg Police last November after her license plate came back to police as stolen.
Officer Stephen Hershberger requested Sgt. Chris Bridges and his K9 partner Echo respond and perform a free-air sniff.
When K9 Echo indicated the presence of controlled substances in the car, police searched and found 14 grams of methamphetamine split into corner cut baggies, a pipe, and scales.
The substance in the baggies field-tested positive for the drug, according to investigators.
Police say after she was confronted with the discovery, Minniear admitted she was delivering the meth to friends in Greensburg.
Decatur County Prosecutor Nate Harter expressed satisfaction with the negotiated sentence.
“Ms. Minniear negotiated a better deal than some dealers because she told the investigating officers the truth and accepted responsibility early in the process, at only the second time she came to court,” Harter said. “In addition, she has a limited criminal history in Indiana. When paired with her history out of state, including robbery with a gun and prior dealing offenses and the serious nature of trafficking in controlled substances, this is an appropriate outcome.”
Harter recognized Hershberger and Bridges for their work on the case, as well as the now-retired K9 Officer Echo.
“Many people don’t realize that even delivery of drugs is considered a dealing offense in Indiana,” Harter said. “I hope this is a mistake Ms. Minniear doesn’t make again. At the very least, I feel confident she won’t do it in Decatur County anymore.”
