Press Releases
Dec 18, 2009 - “FLIP” CONVICTED OF FIVE COUNTS OF DEALING COCAINE
*** MEDIA ADVISORY***
December 18, 2009
“FLIP” CONVICTED OF FIVE COUNTS OF DEALING COCAINE
Media Contact: Curtis T. Hill, Jr. - 296-1888
A jury convicted Samuel L. Lewis, 1219 East Hively Avenue, Elkhart, of five (5) counts of Dealing Cocaine on December 9, 2009. After jury selection on Monday, December 7, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Don Pitzer presented testimony evidence from officers assigned to the Elkhart County Interdiction and Covert Enforcement (ICE) Unit. The facts proved that 42 year-old Lewis had delivered cocaine on four (4) separate occasions from January to May of 2008. Each delivery took place in the general vicinity of his residence on East Hively. On three of the occasions, a half-ounce of cocaine was sold for $400. Ultimately, sufficient information about Lewis was obtained and a search warrant was issued for his home on May 15, 2008.
Lewis, who was known on the street as “Flip,” was arrested at the scene. He admitted to dealing in the substance and showed officers where some of his stash was hidden. Police confiscated a pill bottle containing eight (8) individually wrapped chunks of crack cocaine which were already packaged for sale. The total amount of cocaine provided for the jury’s consideration was over two ounces. Lewis also possessed over $1,900 at the time of his arrest, which included some of the money used in a prior deal.
Lewis has a “hold” on him for a Federal parole violation involving weapons. He faces a maximum of 100 years imprisonment when he returns to Elkhart Circuit Court on December 31.
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