Three from Salem recently entered plea agreements on drug-related charges and have each been sentenced to serve a total of 35 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections, announced Washington County Prosecutor Tara Hunt.
The three – Larry D. McKinney, Aubrey L. Baer and James McKinley – were all sentenced in Washington Superior Court.
“We continue to relentlessly work to address the issue of illegal drugs in our community and these three convictions are evidence of the importance of this effort,” said Prosecutor Hunt. “Removing drug dealers from the streets absolutely has an impact and affects public safety.”
McKinney, 46, Salem, was sentenced in Washington Superior Court after entering a plea agreement in February to a Level 2 felony charge of dealing in methamphetamine.
McKinney was sentenced to 11 years with one year suspected to be served in the IDOC. He will receive credit for a total of 1,914 days for time served and credit days. Following his release, McKinney will be on probation for one year. He must also complete the Alcohol and Drug Services Program.
McKinney was arrested in April 2019 when deputies responded to a report of a man who was unconscious inside a running vehicle. McKinney, the man inside, was found to be in possession of a handgun, 15 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. McKinney did not have a license for the gun and was driving while suspended.
Baer, 31, Baird Boulevard, Salem, pled guilty to dealing in methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony, and theft, a Level 6 felony.
She was sentenced to 17 years with two suspended on the dealing charge with 15 years executed and one year with no time suspended on the theft charge. The counts will be served concurrently (back to back) in the IDOC. She will receive credit for 932 days previously served.
Following her release, Baer will be on probation for two years and is required to complete the Alcohol and Drug Services Program.
Baer was arrested in March 2021 after police responded to a call from Walmart regarding a suspected shoplifting incident. A search of her belongings revealed a large amount of methamphetamine along with several other drugs and paraphernalia.
McKinley, 29, Theresa Street, Salem, entered a plea agreement on a Level 6 felony of possession of methamphetamine and two Level 4 felony charges of dealing methamphetamine. On those charges he was sentenced to a total of 12 years with three years suspended. Following his release, he must serve three years probation.
McKinley was arrested in August 2021 at his residence. He was found to be in possession of a total of 11 grams of methamphetamine on two separate occasions.
“I also want to commend our officers with the Salem City Police and Washington County Sheriff’s Department,” said Prosecutor Hunt. “Good police work is the first step to addressing this ongoing battle against drugs and our officers are all committed to this.”
