A Gary man faces six years after a plea deal Friday for dealing medication in a Hammond councilman’s son’s demise.
Anthony Polk, 33, admitted to reckless murder and dealing in cocaine.
Deputy Prosecutors Lindsey Latham and Jacob Brandewie are anticipated to argue for jail, whereas protection lawyer Kerry Connor will ask for Lake County Neighborhood Corrections or probation.
Decide Natalie Bokota must evaluation and settle for the settlement. Polk shall be evaluated for the Lake County Neighborhood Corrections program to see if he can be accepted.
His sentencing is Sept. 26.
In trade, prosecutors have agreed to drop dealing in a managed substance leading to demise, a Stage 1 felony, and a routine offender enhancement, which carried a mixed whole as much as 60 years.
The sufferer, James “Jimmy” Woerpel, 39, of Hammond, died Jan. 7, 2024, from an overdose. A toxicology report discovered fentanyl, cocaine and xylazine in his system, in accordance with court docket data.
Hammond Police responded Jan. 7, 2024, to the 3000 block of 163rd Place, the place they discovered Woerpel. He was later pronounced lifeless at a hospital.
Investigators discovered Woerpel purchased heroin in Chicago. In a while, Polk swung by his residence to promote him $80-$100 price of crack, the affidavit alleges.
The subsequent morning, Woerpel was discovered “slumped over” and never respiration.
Hammond Councilman Dave Woerpel mentioned beforehand his son struggled with drug habit for over 20 years. Jimmy died on his grandmother’s birthday.
His son “struggled for a very long time. I do know he tried dozens and dozens of instances to get clear,” he mentioned.
“My spouse goes to the cemetery day by day,” he mentioned. “I can’t try this. There’s no proper or fallacious method to grieve. To me, he’s not there. He’s in my coronary heart.”
Put up-Tribune archives contributed.
mcolias@post-trib.com
