Haley sentenced to 30 years in prison
5-28-03
By Stacey Creasy
Pilot News
WINAMAC � A former newspaper publisher was sentenced to 30 years in prison Tuesday as part of a plea bargain with the Pulaski County Prosecutor�s office.
Doug Haley, former publisher and owner of the Pulaski County Journal agreed to a plea deal where he pleaded guilty to one count of dealing cocaine, 3 grams or more, as a Class A felony and a single county of dealing cocaine, 3 grams or less, as a Class B felony.
�Mr. Haley agreed to the plea bargain. As part of the plea bargain we argued the sentencing today and let the judge decide,� said Pulaski County Prosecutor Stacey Mrak.
Newton County Superior Court Judge Daniel Molter gave Haley 40 years behind bars. The judge sentenced Haley to 30 years on the Class A felony and 10 years on the Class B felony. None of the time was suspended.
Molter is allowing the sentences to be served concurrently, which means for credit with good time served, Haley may spend 15 years in prison.
The plea deal was heard in Newton County after Haley was granted a change of venue request earlier this year.
The conviction stems from incidents where Haley sold cocaine to undercover police officers.
Officials with the Multi County Drug Task Force said Haley has been a drug dealer in the region for years. He was arrested and convicted of dealing cocaine in the early 1990s and was arrested again in 1995 after police received a complaint of Haley allegedly using drugs in a tent in Tippecanoe State Park.
The 1995 charges were pleaded down to a resisting arrest conviction.
The latest investigation into Haley�s drug activity was extensive. Pulaski County Sheriff Paul Grandstaff has getting Haley off the street will put a large dent into the drug trade in the region.
Haley was taken into custody after his sentence was handed down. He will begin serving his prison term immediately.
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