Local News

Shelbyville drug dealer, habitual criminal sentenced to 33 years

A Shelbyville man has been sentenced to over 30 years on drug charges.

 

Leslie Joe Becraft, 44, of Shelbyville, was sentenced to 33 years in prison following his conviction at jury trial on September 28 for charges of Dealing Methaphetamine as a Level 2 Felony, Possession of Methamphetamine as a Level 3 Felony, Possession Of A Syringe as a Level 6 Felony, and being an Habitual Offender.  

 

Judge Kent Apsley suspended five years of the sentence, which will be served on probation once Becraft completes his Department Of Corrections sentence for this case and for other cases. 

 

The case stems from an investigation by the Shelby County Drug Task Force, which culminated in the execution of a search warrant on September 23, 2020.  During execution of the search warrant, officers located Becraft, who had a syringe on his person.  Officers also located a large bag containing approximately 16 grams of methamphetamine, and 3 smaller bags containing methamphetamine which were bagged for sale.  Officers further located over $500 in folded cash.

 

Shelby County Prosecutor Brad Landwerlen says Becraft has a substantial criminal record, including a prior conviction for dealing a controlled substance in 2006.  He has been arrested on 25 different criminal cases involving 54 total criminal charges, which include illegal consumption of alcohol, public intoxication, thefts, resisting law enforcement (repeatedly), dealing marijuana, felony intimidation, battery, forgery, receiving stolen property, dealing cocaine or a narcotic drug, leaving the scene of an accident, several check deceptions, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a narcotic drug, possession of paraphernalia, battery with bodily injury, dealing methamphetamine (in 2018 and 2020), possession of methamphetamine (3 times), and possession of a syringe (repeatedly). 

 

He has repeatedly been offered, and even ordered to complete, counseling, but has repeatedly violated probation throughout the years.  Becraft had three cases pending in Shelby County, as well as a petition to revoke probation pending in Hancock County. 

 

His sentences for the other cases must by law run consecutive to his sentence for this new case.

 

The case was prosecuted by deputy prosecutor Jeremy Pasel, assisted by deputy prosecutor Vicki Atkins.  Becraft was represented by attorney Ross Thomas.

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