DRUG DEALERS CONVICTED AND SENTENCED
On January 2, 2026, Michael Blassingame and Alexander Lopez were sentenced in Laporte
Circuit Court for drug dealing crimes. Mr. Lopez was originally charged in 2025 with a Level 3
Felony for Dealing a Narcotic Drug. Mr. Blassingame was charged in 2023 for a Level 2 Felony
for Dealing in Meth. Both cases were investigated by the Laporte County Drug Task Force
(DTF).
Both men entered into plea agreements with the State of Indiana. Mr. Lopez pled Guilty to the
lesser charge of Level 4 Dealing in Cocaine/Narcotic Drug, in exchange for a sentence cap of 6
years. After hearing arguments from the State and Mr. Lopez, the Court sentenced Mr. Lopez to
6 years in the DOC, with 3 years suspended and served on probation, 1 year in Work Release,
and 2 years on GPS. Mr. Lopez will also participate in substance abuse treatment services.
In his plea, Mr. Blassingame pleaded Guilty to a lesser charge of Level 3 Dealing in Meth. The
Court sentenced Mr. Blassingame to 14 years in the DOC, four years suspended on probation,
with a minimum of 6 years incarceration. Mr. Blassingame must also participate in Recovery
While Incarcerated (RWI) while in the DOC; RWI is an addiction services program for inmates.
Prosecuting Attorney Sean Fagan said: “People wonder why we do plea agreements. Trials cost
time and money. Plea agreements, in the long run, save the taxpayers money.”
Prosecuting Attorney Fagan continued: “We work closely with the Drug Task Force in case
preparation and sentencing. Their input is valuable in determining what is an appropriate plea
and sentence. The facts of a case, the original charge, and the defendant’s own history are all
factors that need to be considered, and with that, achieving both accountability and lowered
recidivism.”
Prosecuting Attorney Fagan ended by saying, “I’m proud that I hired Deputy Prosecutors
Autumn Ferch and Katie Arnold. They worked both these cases, doing it as a team; Katie and
Autumn perform at a high level. They worked with DTF Det. Amber Marty, and all three of
them do a great job, each and every day. The community should be proud of the work they do
fighting the scourge of drugs.