***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 8, 2015

TITUS "RICK DAWG" FIELDS SENTENCED TO 48 YEARS FOR DEALING IN COCAINE

Media Contact: Curtis T. Hill, Jr. (574) 296-1888

On Thursday, January 8, 2015, Titus “Rick Dawg” Fields received an aggravated sentence of 48 years’ incarceration at the Indiana Department of Correction for his two convictions of Dealing in 3 grams or more of Cocaine, both Class A felonies. The sentence was handed down by Judge Terry Shewmaker of the Elkhart Circuit Court after a jury convicted Fields after a two day trial in December of 2014.

The verdict came after jurors heard evidence regarding an investigation into Fields conducted by the Elkhart Police Department Drug Unit. Utilizing a cooperating source (CS), officers conducted two individual controlled buys that took place on April 2, 2012, and April 12, 2012. During each controlled buy, under the direction and supervision of EPD officers, the CS purchased an “8 Ball,” the street name for approximately 3.5 grams of Cocaine, from Fields.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Don Pitzer pointed out Fields’ regular involvement with the criminal justice system over the course of his lifetime, including prior felony convictions for Reckless Homicide and Robbery. DPA Pitzer also noted several dishonest statements made by Fields for the Court’s consideration. DPA Pitzer further pointed to Fields’ behavior and statements prior to and during the trial including his persistent attempts, while incarcerated, to get family and friends to do whatever was necessary to stop the CS from testifying. DPA Pitzer concluded that despite being given several opportunities to do otherwise, Fields’ criminal behavior has persisted and escalated. While Fields’ described himself as a changed man, DPA Pitzer described him as a “player,” whose long run of criminal behavior needs to come to an end.

Judge Shewmaker also cited to Fields’ lengthy criminal history and the sanctions and services short of long term incarceration that have been unsuccessfully attempted throughout his lifetime of criminal behavior. “At some point,” stated Judge Shewmaker, “someone has to say ‘enough is enough.'”

As a result, Titus Fields received an aggravated sentence of 48 years for each of the two convictions of Dealing in 3 grams or more of Cocaine, to be served concurrently and in their entirety at the Indiana Department of Correction.

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“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”