Alexander Receives 13 Years In Burglary and Drug Case

Alexander pled guilty to one count of Burglary, as a level 4 felony, and one count of Possession of Methamphetamine, a level 6 felony.

Ryan Alexander Photo Provided

(Madison, Ind.) -  A Madison, Indiana man was sentenced to over a decade in the Indiana Department of Correction for Burglary, a level 4 felony, and Possession of Methamphetamine, a level 6 felony. Ryan Alexander, 22, was sentenced on July 9, 2020, for those crimes to a total of thirteen years.

“A home invasion leaves victims with a sense of violation and insecurity. I’m pleased that justice has been served in this case, that the defendant is on his way to prison, and I hope it brings some peace to the victims,” said Jefferson County Prosecutor, David Sutter.

The case began on March 6, 2018, when a Madison homeowner returned from vacation to find the residence’s back door open and items in the home and outbuildings missing. The victim called 911 and law enforcement responded including Officer Jeremy Cox of the Madison Police Department, who took the initial report. Multiple officers from the Madison Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the investigation which revealed that a neighbor had obtained a photograph of a suspicious person in the area. The photograph was posted on Facebook, and citizens and law enforcement officers identified the subject in the photograph as Ryan Alexander.

Alexander subsequently contacted the victim via Facebook, confirmed that the posted photo was of him, but denied committing the burglary. Alexander requested to meet the victim to discuss the issue. Law Enforcement arranged to be nearby and monitor the meeting between the suspect and the victim. During this meeting, the suspect advised that he was Ryan Alexander and that he had broken into the victim’s home and stolen property. Alexander was interviewed by Detective John Wallace of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department (now Chief of the Madison Police Department) and admitted to committing the burglary.

Ryan Alexander also had a prior encounter with law enforcement that resulted in charges for Possession of Methamphetamine. On February 20, 2018, Alexander was stopped by an officer with the Madison Police Department, who discovered methamphetamine in Alexander’s pocket. The sentencing resolves that case as well.

“The police did a great job following the leads in this case and investigating allegations of misconduct by Mr. Alexander in the jail after his arrest. I also want to thank the victim whose bravery led to the suspect’s capture,” said Sutter.

Alexander pled guilty to one count of Burglary, as a level 4 felony, and one count of Possession of Methamphetamine, a level 6 felony. A sentencing hearing was held on June 30, 2020, in which Deputy Prosecutor, Elizabeth Stigdon represented the State of Indiana and argued for an aggravated sentence.

During the hearing, Detective Andrew Mitchell of the Indiana State Police testified regarding his investigation of Alexander for committing a battery in the Jefferson County Jail after his arrest. Alexander was sentenced by Special Judge Jeff Sharp of Ripley County who cited his behavior in the jail after his arrest as an aggravating factor in his sentence.

“I hope that individuals who find themselves in the Jefferson County Jail understand that their conduct during their stay can have an effect on the outcomes in their pending cases as it certainly did here,” said Sutter. Alexander was sentenced to the Indiana Department of Correction to a term of 1 year on the meth charge, and the maximum term of 12 years for the Burglary. The sentences will run consecutively.