FORMER ADDICTION COUNSELOR SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS
JUNE 6, 2024
Evansville, IN –Prosecutor Diana Moers announces that on May 30, 2024, Michael Garrett Hagedorn was sentenced to a total of 16 years in the Department of Correction—
which includes 10 years for dealing Methamphetamine, 10 years for dealing a narcotic drug (to be served concurrently) and a habitual offender sentencing enhancement of 6 years. Special Judge Honorable Judge Greg A. Granger presided in the Vanderburgh County Superior Court.
On January 12, 2023, Detectives with the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force were conducting surveillance on Michael Garrett Hagedorn. Detectives received numerous tips that Hagedorn was dealing large quantities of narcotics. The tips also claimed that Hagedorn, a former owner and Director of an addiction treatment counseling center, would sell these narcotics to subjects attending his counseling services.
Hagedorn eventually admitted to using the 15.1 grams of Methamphetamine that were found in his vehicle, as well as having more at his residence and the location he had just left. Nine firearms, body armor, 28.3 grams of marijuana, and 3 digital scales were all located at Hagedorn’s Newburgh, IN residence. Officers also found hand-written ledgers showing the names of people who owed Hagedorn money – one individual owing as much as $43,000. With the price per pound of Methamphetamine averaging around $3,000 at the time of the crimes, the ledgers indicated Hagedorn had sold large quantities.
Deputy Prosecutor John Bober represented the State on this case and was able to obtain a guilty plea from the Defendant.
Prosecutor Moers stated: “Because of the diligent work of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task force, a large quantity of drugs is off the streets and out of our community. Hagedorn’s case is particularly egregious since he was a drug-addition counselor. Hagedorn is well-aware of the devastating impact drugs have on individuals and a community—yet he preyed on addicts and was profiting greatly from his drug sales. Drugs bring crime and destruction to the community, and their peddler is now in prison and out of Vanderburgh County. We are safer because of the efforts of the joint task force and prosecution.”
Prosecutor Moers extends her appreciation to Det. Seibert, Det. Knight, Officer McCrarey, Det. Patterson and his K9 Officer, Det. Mansfield, Det. Simpson, Sgt. South, and all the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force who work tirelessly to get these drugs and their dealers off the streets of this community.
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