Habitual Offender Receives Lengthy Sentence After Police Pursuit from Vevay to Madison

After the pursuit, Edward Kinnett was allegedly found in possession of a large amount of methamphetamine.

Edward Kinnett. Photo provided.

(Vevay, Ind.) – A former Lawrenceburg resident has received a sentence of 23 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections after engaging in a multi-county high-speed pursuit that began in Vevay and ended in downtown Madison.

Edward Kinnett, 41, recently pleaded guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 3 Felony) and the Habitual Offender Sentence Enhancement.

Kinnett was apprehended only after police destroyed his tires, and drug him from his vehicle. During the pursuit, officers observed Kinnett throw an object from the vehicle. The object was recovered and was identified as a false-bottom can containing a large amount of crystal methamphetamine.

A Switzerland County Sheriff’s Deputy testified that the amount of methamphetamine recovered was far in excess of an amount typically associated with drug dealing, not personal use. Others who testified said Kinnett showed no remorse despite traveling at speeds near 100 MPH and through multiple school zones on a weekday afternoon.

Although this was Kinnett’s first charge in Switzerland County, he is a repeat offender with 19 prior convictions and multiple probation violations spread across six counties and three states over a 25-year period.

In weighing all the evidence, Judge W. Gregory Coy found the severity of the offense and Defendant’s criminal history justified a sentence of 23 years in the Department of Corrections.

Switzerland County Prosecutor, Ryan Marshall, commented on the case after the hearing: “The evidence showed that when Eddie Kinnett ran from police he engaged in a highly dangerous pursuit that only ended after the brave and selfless response from multiple officers in two neighboring communities. Kinnett made that choice while possessing a ‘dealer-level’ amount of methamphetamine. More still, Kinnett’s choices were part of a 25-year pattern of repeated criminal behavior. That pattern ended when our Circuit Judge thoughtfully considered evidence from both parties and issued a fair sentence that was necessary to protect our community. The Court’s decision made our entire region safer and we are grateful for it.”