Decatur County, IN — A total of 12 years is the sentence for a Greensburg man who entered into a plea agreement on charges of dealing drugs and being a repeat offender.
Omer Ball was sentenced Wednesday by Decatur Circuit Judge Tim Day to six years in prison followed by six years probation after pleading guilty to Level 3 Felony Dealing in Methamphetamine and admitting to being a Habitual Offender.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys left it up to Judge Day to decide how much of the 12-year sentence should be served in prison, home detention, or probation.
During the sentencing hearing, Decatur County Prosecutor Nate Harter noted Ball’s lengthy criminal history, beginning in 1987 and continuing to today.
Court documents indicate Ball has prior convictions for Operating While Intoxicated (three times), Resisting Law Enforcement, Public Intoxication, Operating a Vehicle as a Habitual Traffic Offender, Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Trespass, Battery, Possession of Narcotic Drug, Maintaining a Common Nuisance (twice), Neglect of a Dependent, and various probation violations.
Ball’s attorney recommended the minimum sentence of six years in prison followed by six years of probation, citing his client’s poor health and advanced age.
Harter says when Ball testified, he expressed regret that methamphetamine had ruined his life and that he had never had an opportunity for treatment.
“I confess I was mystified by Mr. Ball’s testimony,” Harter said. “The idea that he was a victim of substance abuse issues for 35 years, and never had the opportunity to make changes in his life is unbelievable and incredible. Of course, he had opportunities; he just didn’t take them.
“What’s worse, he expressed no remorse for dealing this poison to other people, so long as it helped him make money or get high. He expressed no recognition that he was hurting people beyond himself, or that he was using them and taking advantage of their suffering,” he added.
Harter praised the work of Greensburg Police Detective Mark Naylor on this case.
“Mr. Ball has been committing crimes in this community since before I was born,” Harter said. “I’m grateful for the work of Detective Naylor and others did to catch Mr. Ball and provide me with a case to prosecute.”
Harter expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
“I respect the Court’s decision, even though I requested a longer sentence in prison. Six years is a long time in prison for a man of Mr. Ball’s age, and I suppose we’ll have the remaining six years afterward to see if he actually makes good on his claimed desire to reform,” he said.
