Marshall County man sentenced to 11½ years for firearm possession, drug-related driving

A Marshall County man will spend more than a decade behind bars after being convicted of illegally possessing a firearm and operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs.

Kelly Cowger was sentenced Monday to 11½ years at the Indiana Department of Corrections following his conviction on two felony charges: being a Serious Violent Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Operating a Vehicle with a Schedule I Controlled Substance in the Blood.

A jury found Cowger guilty on February 5 after a trial in Marshall Superior Court No. 3. The sentencing hearing was held today before Judge Matthew Sarber.

During the trial, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Langowski presented evidence showing that Cowger possessed a 9mm Ruger handgun despite being legally prohibited from owning firearms due to his status as a serious violent felon. Prosecutors also proved that Cowger operated a vehicle while drugs were in his system.

Plymouth Police Corporal Travis Schieber, the lead investigator on the case, testified during the trial, along with Patrolman Zach Wallace, who assisted with the investigation. The officers conducted a search of Cowger's vehicle and discovered the 9mm Ruger handgun concealed behind the driver's seat.

At Monday's sentencing hearing, Judge Sarber heard arguments from both the prosecution and defense attorney Alexander Hoover before imposing the sentence.

The Marshall County Prosecutor's Office prosecuted the case.