61 year old John Dardeen has been sentenced to 18 years in prison on two Wabash County drug cases.

Appearing in Wabash County Circuit Court this morning, Dardeen was sentenced to the maximum 7 years on a Class 3 felony of delivery of methamphetamine of more than 5 grams. Dardeen was found guilty of that charge in February by a Wabash County Jury.

During the trial, Dardeen denied he sold meth, but instead sold cannabis. That led investigators to search his home at 319 Walnut Street where they found several items associated with the manufacture and delivery of methamphetamine, a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun with ammunition, and many other cannabis related items.

State’s attorney Kelli Storckman then filed additional charges against Dardeen including a Class X felony charge of possession of meth with intent to deliver.

This morning, Judge William C. Hudson accepted a negotiated plea on the new charges and sentenced Dardeen to 11 years in prison on the Class X felony with at least 75% of the term being served. An additional Class X felony and a Class 3 felony were dismissed.

Since the sentences will be served consecutively, Dardeen will have to serve almost 12 years in prison.

Dardeen was also ordered to surrender his home at 319 Walnut Street to the Illinois State Police who will sell it and disperse the proceeds according to state statute.