GREENFIELD — Facing over 30 years of prison time, a Fortville man instead avoided a harsh sentence this week when officials settled on a plea agreement in his drug case.
Duston Hall, 35, faced 10 charges, including felony dealing charges, stemming from an arrest more than two years ago.
Local investigators and Indiana State Police officers searched a farmhouse and Hall’s Fortville home in September 2016. Inside both residences, they found equipment used to grow marijuana, a total of eight plants and nearly 9 pounds of the drug. Police also discovered other illegal drugs, including ecstasy, according to court documents.
Part of the plea agreement called for Hall to plead guilty to dealing a controlled substance, a Level 5 felony; possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor; and dealing in marijuana, a Level 5 felony. The state agreed to dismiss the other charges.
Judge Scott Sirk of Hancock Circuit Court sentenced Hall to four years of probation and a year of home detention. The judge told Hall he had grave concerns accepting the plea deal because Hall had not only put his own young son in danger, but he had also engaged in activity that caused harm to people in the community.
Hall testified during the sentencing hearing that he was a changed man and had even earned his college degree since his arrest. He also told the judge that he was the main caregiver for his young son.
“I’ve done everything I can do to better my life,” Hall said.
In the end, the court accepted the plea deal, even though deputy prosecutor Dave Thornburg wasn’t thrilled with the recommendation presented by the Hancock County Probation Department.
“This wasn’t just a little marijuana,” Thornburg said. “He did have a significant operation.”
