Judge sentences Bedford man to 12 years in prison


BEDFORD – Lawrence Superior Court I Judge John Plummer III sentenced a Bedford man to 12 years in the Indiana Department of Correction Monday.

Billy Hardin

Billy L. Hardin, 63, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine, a Level 3 felony, and was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with nine years executed, as part of a negotiated plea agreement with the State of Indiana. The remaining three years of the sentence will be suspended to supervised probation.

Hardin was arrested by Indiana State Police in November 2020. He was stopped by troopers who found more than 10 grams of methamphetamine in a magnetic box in his truck. After obtaining a search warrant, troopers searched Hardin’s home, where they located more than 100 grams of methamphetamine, along with plastic bags, numerous digital scales, and paraphernalia.

Deputy Prosecutor Ryne Koucouthakis

“This was another case where we have to give credit to our law enforcement partners for their superb investigation skills,” said Lawrence County Deputy Prosecutor Ryne Koucouthakis, who represented the State of Indiana in prosecuting the case. “We continue to be thankful that they were able to get a large amount of methamphetamine off the streets. The safety of this community depends upon these investigations and successful prosecutions.”