By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — A Warsaw man will serve seven years in prison on two separate criminal cases for possessing child pornography and illegally possessing a firearm.
Aaron Walter Burchett, 35, 3762 W. Old Road 30, Lot 702, Warsaw, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a level 4 felony; possession of methamphetamine with enhancing circumstances and three counts of possession of child pornography, all level 5 felonies; and unlawful possession of a syringe, a level 6 felony. Four additional criminal charges were all dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
The child porn possession charges are in one criminal case, while the other remaining charges are in a second criminal case.
Burchett was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court One on Thursday, June 20.
For each possession of child pornography charge, Kosciusko Superior Court One Judge Karin McGrath sentenced Burchett to four years in the Indiana Department of Correction. All three of those charges will be served at the same time.
Burchett also received a 10-year DOC sentence for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a felon, with three years executed and seven years suspended on formal probation. For possessing meth, McGrath sentenced Burchett to four years in DOC, with three years executed and one year suspended on probation. He also received a two-year DOC sentence for unlawfully possessing a syringe. All three of those charges will be served at the same time.
Both cases will be served back-to-back.
In total, Burchett received a 14-year DOC sentence, with seven years executed and seven years suspended on probation. He has 238 days of jail time credit.
The firearm seized as a result of these cases will be disposed of by the Indiana State Police. Burchett must also register as a sex offender.
At sentencing, Deputy Prosecutor Joseph Sobek said Burchett’s criminal history was an aggravator and requested the court give Burchett a substantial amount of time on probation following his executed sentence.
Defense Attorney Jay Rigdon asked for Burchett to receive less than seven years at DOC, referencing a written statement from Burchett about recognizing his failings and working to better himself.
“I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart, but I know sometimes sorry doesn’t cut it,” said Burchett. “I let drugs rule my life. Whatever you give me today will be just…I just ask for a chance at redemption to show I’m not a total loss.”
“Addiction is a tough road, but then you add in the child porn,” said McGrath. “The images, the videos…they had information too horrific for me to even repeat out loud here. I don’t think you’re a lost cause, but there are consequences.”
On July 25, 2022, an ISP detective received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about an incident involving child pornography. Google reported a user account uploading 15 files containing apparent child sexual abuse material.
The detective received additional cyber tips connected to the same account on Dec. 6, 2022. After obtaining a search warrant for an email account connected to the files’ uploading, the detective discovered documents belonging to Burchett.
On Oct. 26, 2023, law enforcement went to Burchett’s home to serve a search warrant for the seizure of electronics and other items.
In an interview with ISP detectives, Burchett admitted to sending child pornography via a social media app because “everyone shares on there.” He also said he saved files containing child pornography.
While serving the warrant, officers found meth, syringes, a loaded shotgun, and handgun parts in Burchett’s bedroom.
Burchett is classified as a serious violent felon, having been convicted of dealing meth in Kosciusko County in April 2010.
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