<p>An Edinburgh man who is facing nearly 40 years in prison is wanted after he skipped his sentencing hearing for two meth dealing cases.</p><p>Michael Paul Riddle, 36, was set to be sentenced Monday in Johnson County Circuit Court, but is now on the run. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Central Indiana Crimestoppers are seeking the public’s help in locating him.</p><p>For a case filed Jan. 29, Riddle was sentenced to 22 years for conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony, all executed, with credit for 243 days served, according to court documents.</p><p>For a separate case filed April 30, Riddle was sentenced to 17.5 years for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, also a Level 2 felony; six years for possession of a handgun with an altered serial number, a Level 5 felony; and one year for possession of a handgun without a license, a misdemeanor, court documents show.</p><p>Circuit Court Judge Andrew Roesener ordered that the time for both cases be served consecutively, or one after another, according to court documents. Roesener also ordered that Riddle’s altered Taurus Millennium G2 9mm handgun be forfeited to the sheriff’s office for destruction, documents said.</p><p>Riddle was released on $66,000 bond Sept. 18, and was told to report back to the jail Monday to appear via video for his sentencing hearing, according to online court records.</p><p>A warrant for failure to appear was issued Tuesday.</p><p>Sheriff Duane Burgess said deputies were out Thursday searching several locations where Riddle may be. The sheriff’s office is working with the U.S. Marshall’s Office, and they are following up on several tips, he said.</p><p>Anonymous tips reported to Crimestoppers that lead to Riddle’s arrest could be eligible for a $1,000 reward. Tips may be submitted with the P3Tips mobile application, by phone at 317-262-8477, or online at crimetips.org or p3tips.com.</p><p>The public may also submit tips directly to the sheriff’s office by calling 317-346-4654.</p><p>Riddle is described as a white male, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 165 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes, according to a Crimestoppers news release.</p><p>Riddle was pulled over Jan. 23 in Greenwood by a sheriff’s deputy. During a search of Riddle’s vehicle, the deputy located a handgun under the driver’s seat and multiple bags of methamphetamine throughout the car, according to a probable cause affidavit filed Jan. 28 in Johnson County Circuit Court.</p><p>In a recorded interview with police after his arrest, Riddle said he had been a drug dealer his whole life, and sold six ounces of drugs each week, court documents said. He planned to sell all the methamphetamine that was found in his car, he told police.</p><p>April charges stem from a drug-dealing scheme Riddle and three others were running out of the the Johnson County jail. Riddle and another inmate, Ricky Blythe, of Indianapolis, allegedly collaborated with Riddle’s wife, Sherry Riddle, 33, of Franklin, and Ricky’s sister, April Blythe, 36, of Indianapolis, to carry out methamphetamine deals, according to court documents.</p><p>A series of recorded calls on April 24 and 25 indicated that Sherry Riddle, the wife of inmate Michael Riddle, was instructed to pick up meth from April Blythe in Franklin, according to a sheriff’s office news release. Days later, Franklin police stopped April Blythe’s car and searched it, finding just under a pound of meth and a firearm, the news release said.</p><p>Police then served a search warrant at 1615 Preidt Cir, in Franklin, where they seized the 1/2 ounce of meth April Blythe sold and additional meth in a gum container in her purse, according to the news release.</p><p>Riddle, 8954 Del Char Middle Drive, has a criminal history dating back to the early 2000’s, ranging from drug offenses to battery, residential entry and theft, according to online court records.</p><p>Other charges filed against him on Jan. 6 are still pending in Shelby County. In that case, he is charged with possession of methamphetamine and driving with a fictitious license plate, according to Shelby County Circuit Court documents.</p>
