By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — A Milford man with three prior operating while intoxicated convictions will serve a 2 1/2 year sentence locally for driving under the influence.
Dylan Forest Hanna, 33, 10515 N. Grove Road, Milford, was charged with battery against a public safety official, a level 6 felony; operating a vehicle while intoxicated and violation of driving conditions, both class C misdemeanors; and OWI with a prior conviction resulting in serious bodily injury, a level 5 felony. Two additional criminal charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Hanna was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court Three on Tuesday, April 30.
For battery against a public safety official, Kosciusko Superior Court Three Judge Chad Miner sentenced Hanna to 2 1/2 years in the Kosciusko County Jail, with 1 1/2 years executed and one year suspended on formal probation. Hanna also received the same sentence for the Level 5 felony OWI charge, with the Class C misdemeanor OWI charge merging into the L5. For violation of driving conditions, Hanna received a two-month KCJ sentence, with the entirety of that sentence to be executed.
All of Hanna’s charges will be served at the same time.
In total, Hanna received a 2 1/2 year sentence, with 1 1/2 years executed and one year suspended on formal probation. Miner said he had no objection to Hanna serving the executed portion through work release, but at sentencing, Hanna had not been approved for participation in the program.
Hanna’s driver’s license was also suspended for two years.
At sentencing, an acquaintance of Hanna’s provided testimony about Hanna’s growth within the last year. She described him as “kind, patient, and good-natured,” stating she was shocked to hear about his arrest because of his positive demeanor.
The acquaintance also said Hanna was the primary caretaker for several children and had taken on a lot of extra responsibilities. She asked Miner to place Hanna on house arrest for his sentence.
Deputy Prosecutor Jennifer Naue described Hanna’s case as a “serious series of events” and said this was Hanna’s fourth OWI charge in the last 10 years.
Defense Attorney Austin Rovenstine noted Hanna’s participation in counseling. He also requested Hanna serve his sentence through home detention.
Hanna said he’s been sober for 372 days and changed his people, places, and things.
“I’m grateful this didn’t have a worse outcome,” said Hanna. “I’m ready to right this wrong and want to continue supporting those who count on me.”
On April 26, 2023, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy was patrolling in Syracuse when he saw a vehicle cross the road’s center and fog lines several times.
According to court documents, Hanna, the vehicle’s driver, was noncompliant with the deputy’s verbal commands. Multiple deputies responded to the scene and Hanna shoved one of the deputies with his left hand and forearm.
The deputies also noticed Hanna exhibiting signs of intoxication. Hanna’s vehicle was also supposed to be equipped with an interlock device at the time of this incident and it was not.
Hanna has three prior OWI convictions.
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