Nicholaus Searles made his initial appearance Friday in La Porte Circuit Court on three counts of dealing a schedule IV substance. One count is a Class A felony, which in Indiana is punishable by anywhere from a 20- to 50-year sentence.According to court documents, Searles is accused of selling heroin on three occasions beginning Aug. 19, 2008, in the 700 block of Jackson Street. Police said he helped carry out a $60 exchange at that location.Five days later, police observed Searles sell heroin in the 1300 block of West Indiana 2 near Al's Supermarket after he pulled up in a gold van. On Aug. 29, Searles again sold about $60 in heroin after meeting a buyer in the 300 block of I St.He was overheard telling the customer he was trying to "make rent," police said.Searles once lived in the 500 block of Ohio Street, and when asked by Judge Tom Alevizos where he resides now, the defendant replied "nowhere." Most recent documents filed in the case list Searles as homeless.
Searles also asked the court for a public defender, saying, "I don't have any family or friends."He also revealed money he was making at a construction job he worked at until last week was going for drugs.The court as part of its standard procedure also asked Searles if he was under the influence of any foreign substances to make sure he understood the proceedings. He said the only effects he was feeling were from "heroin withdrawals."Searles said the only money he has is an account at La Porte County Jail to buy snacks and other supplies. Alevizos placed a hold on $100 of that money to help reimburse the county for the expense of his public defender.
Searles was given a Oct. 13 trial date.
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