Less Than Disbarment For Felony Drug Conviction

An attorney’s drug conviction led to a suspension of no less than three years without automatic reinstatement by the Indiana Supreme Court.

Respondent was indicted in federal court on three counts involving the manufacture of methamphetamine. On October 4, 2013, Respondent pled guilty to one count of unlawful distribution of pseudoephedrine and the other two counts were dismissed. In her factual basis, Respondent admitted purchasing pseudoephedrine four times at different drug stores and then providing the pseudoephedrine to two other individuals, allowing those individuals to evade the identification statutes governing the purchase of pseudoephedrine. Respondent was sentenced to twenty-one months of imprisonment and two years of subsequent probation.

She cooperated with disciplinary authorities and has successfully completed a rehabilitation program.

Justice Dickson

dissents, and would reject the Conditional Agreement, believing that the Respondent, by engaging in conduct resulting in her conviction of a serious felony, has demonstrated unfitness to responsibly represent, advise, and serve future clients.

The attorney has been suspended since August 2014.

Pharos-Tribune Logansport had the story of the arrest

 Two Fulton County residents and a fugitive from South Bend were arrested Wednesday night on drug charges.

After a call about a domestic situation at J.J. Richard Dairy Farm in Fulton County, according to police reports, officers obtained a search warrant and found methamphetamine, marijuana and a fugitive hiding in the home. Charla Richard, 37, and John Wise, 45, of rural Rochester, were both arrested along with Tenneil Selner, 32, of South Bend.

Police were called to the dairy farm in the 2000 block of West 500 North in Fulton County after Richard’s husband reported she had cut the tires and broke the windows of a pickup truck and fired a pellet gun.

While searching the home, police said they found methamphetamine, marijuana and Selner inside the home, according to a press release.

After obtaining a second search warrant, the release also states, police found a methamphetamine lab, chemical precursors for manufacturing methamphetamine, hypodermic needles and two pellet guns. Two children were also in the residence and they were later turned over to relatives.

Richard and Wise, who also lived at the residence, were arrested on felony charges of possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance, manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of drug precursors, and possession of a police scanner during the commission of a felony.

Selner was arrested on two federal arrest warrants and faces local felony charges for possession of methamphetamine and possession of hypodermic needles.

(Mike Frisch)