GREENFIELD — A drug dealer who begged a judge for leniency was instead handed a lengthy prison sentence, days after his co-defendant died of a drug overdose.
Nicholas George Tourville, 37, Greenfield, was sentenced late last week to 11 years in prison for dealing cocaine. The woman he was arrested with, Diana J. Stewart, 36, Greenfield, died from a drug overdose July 16, officials said. Stewart, who was out on bond awaiting trial that was scheduled to start today, was facing over 30 years in prison for the most serious charges against her.
Tourville plead guilty to a Level 2 felony count of dealing cocaine as part of a plea agreement. Judge Scott Sirk of Hancock Circuit Court sentenced him to 11 years based on a prosecutor’s recommendation. He faced up to 30 years.
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Tourville was facing three felony charges in Hancock County before the plea agreement was reached. Tourville also faces charges in Florida.
Prior to Sirk’s decision, Tourville asked for “one chance” and a more lenient sentence. He admitted he was an addict who needed help.
“I’m not proud of what I did,” Tourville said. “I just want a chance to change myself.”
Tourville’s attorney, Nathan Vining of Indianapolis, presented two letters in support of a lesser sentence to the judge. Tourville’s mother also testified on his behalf.
Deputy prosecutor David Thornburg argued for the prison sentence, pointing out that Tourville was committing crimes here when he was on probation for other drug charges in Florida.
“Drugs are not a victimless crime,” Thornburg said, before bringing up Stewart’s death. “She overdosed. She was brain-dead. Someone has to pay for the crimes in Hancock County.”
While Tourville said he was sorry several times, Sirk pointed out Tourville was apologizing only to him, the man determining his fate, and not county residents, the prosecutor’s office or the Stewart family.
“The other thing that concerns this court is you had charges in Florida and you committed crimes in Hancock County,” Sirk said.
Tourville and Stewart were arrested in August 2018 at Stewart’s home in the 2700 block of Bluestone Drive in Greenfield, after detectives with the Greenfield Police Department received a tip about suspicious activity at the residence.
During the investigation, police found Tourville also had a warrant for his arrest out of Florida, where he’d been accused of dealing narcotics.
Stewart was facing seven drug charges, including a Level 3 felony for dealing methamphetamine. All charges against her were dismissed.
